U.S. Army Corps and Miami-Dade County to host public meetings on the Phase II Draft Report of the Miami-Dade Back Bay Coastal Storm Risk Management Feasibility Study

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Norfolk District, in partnership with Miami-Dade County announce the publication of the Phase II Draft Report of the Miami-Dade Back Bay Coastal Storm Risk Management Feasibility Study (Back Bay Study) and invite the general public to learn more and provide feedback through September 18th, 2026. Residents and stakeholders interested in participating can register for an in-person or one virtual public meeting at https://bit.ly/backbaydraft2026. 

The Phase II Draft Report builds on the Phase I Study Effort completed in 2024 and aims to prioritize human health and life safety, increase resilience of critical infrastructure, and reduce damages to buildings in vulnerable communities. The Phase II Draft Report recommends additional measures to manage hurricane storm surge risks, including floodproofing critical facilities and nonresidential buildings, and elevating homes above projected flood levels. It provides a detailed summary of the coordination, planning, and evaluation of alternatives for addressing coastal storm risk in vulnerable Miami-Dade County communities and reflects extensive collaboration with the County, municipalities, and stakeholders.

Through Sept. 18, residents and stakeholders can learn more and provide comments in several ways: 

• Find and read the report: https://www.saj.usace.army.mil/MiamiDadeBackBayCSRMFeasibilityStudy/  
• Comment via e-mail: [email protected]  
• Comment via mail: Send your comments to USACE Norfolk District, Planning and Policy Branch, 803 Front Street, Norfolk, VA 23510 
• Meet the study team and learn more at the upcoming public meetings by registering at https://bit.ly/backbaydraft2026: 
  • Tuesday, Sept. 1 - 6:00-7:30 p.m. - William F. Dickinson Community Center, 1601 N. Krome Ave., Homestead, FL 33030  
  • Wednesday, Sept. 2 - 6:00-7:30 p.m. - Overtown Performing Arts Center, 1074 NW 3rd Ave., Miami, FL 33136  
  • Wednesday, Sept. 9 - 6:00-7:30 p.m. - Virtual Webinar  

The comments received will be considered by the joint USACE and Miami-Dade County study team and used to inform the development of the final feasibility report, which aims for Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) authorization in 2028.