HEGEIVE Frecutive O'fiee IMr. Drew Bartlett Executive Director ‘South Florida Water Management District 2801 Gun Club Raad West Palm Beach, FL 23406-3607 Dear Mr. Bartlett Thi letter is in eesponse to your uly 3, 20°8 letter regarding Pro-Partnershio Credit Agrsements (PECAs) for the Central Evarglades Planning Project (CEPP), 2 omnponen of the Gor prehensive Everglades Resicration Plan (CERP). The L.S. ‘Army Corps of Enginecrs, Jacksonville District (Corps) acknowledges the mpariance of the CEPP to restoring the Everglades ane’ reducing discharges to the Caloosahatchee and St. Lucie Estuaiies. and we are committed to working with the State of Florida ard the South Florida Water Management District (SFWHID} to iniglement the CEPP in a imely manner. ‘As you identified ir yaur letter, our teams have Worked ta develop PPCAs for CPP Sauth and Naith that are acceptable 1 both tha SFWMD and the Comps. The scope of ‘work for he PPCAs is consistant with tre scave of the SEPP plan aulhirized by Congress in the Water Resourses Development Act (RDA) of 2016, ‘We are finalizing these PPCAs and anticipate execution of he 2PC.As in Seotemmer 2018, \With regerds to the PGA including work for SEPP New Water, we are continuing tliscussions within the Corps un the scope of the PPCA and carfirming what CEP New Water activities we can support in a PPCA. Currently, we can support a PRGA for the: ‘CEPP Naw Water that includes only work that would be required far implemantation of features authorized by Section 1401 af WWRIJA 2016. Section 1308 of WRDA 2013 authatized the Comprehensive Evarglages Restoration Plan, Central and! Southern Florida, Everglades Agricultural Aves, Florida, lo be cared out in acentdance with Section 801 of WRDA 2000, as recommenda ‘nthe addendum ta the Central Everglades Planning Projecl Post A1:tiarization Change Roporl, Feasibility Study ard Draft Environmental lmpact Statement prapa‘ed by the South Flarida Water Manage nent District and dated May 2018, with such modifications as ine Secretary consideis appropriate. WADA 2018 directs that the projact author2ed in WELA 2018 ‘may be constructed only after the Secretary prepares a report that addresses the ‘onceins, Fecommenclations, anc! condltiors iaentiiad by the Sceretary in the seview assessinert tilled "Review Assessment of South Flovida Water Management District's Cantral Everglades Planning Projact, Section 208 Pest A.thorization Change Report, 'mtegrated Feasibilty Study and DRAFT Frvirunmental Impact Statement (March 2018, I & YE B TM ft I nen SHEA nes Ou co a —_—_—— pape ‘Amended May 2018)" and dated Nay 2018. We are currently comleting this report and expect to camplete the report by May 2020. Accordingly, pending completian af tae Secretary’s report. we will continue to work with yaur team to develop the PPCA that inclices only work authorized in WRDA 2018, Upoa compltion cf tha Seoretary's Feport. we may pursue ancther PPCA consistent with that report oak forward to our continued parliershig to restore America’s Everglades. If you have any questions regarding the information in this lete, please feel free tc contact, ime or Mr. Hawie Gonzales, Program Manage’, at {904} 289-2269 or by e mal at howard .h gonzales @usaco.army.ml Sincerely, KELLYANDREW.DON EASE ALDIRIO?5S 10875 one Andrew D. Kelly, J. Golanel, U.S. Army Distvic! Commander