We want nature based solutions over flood walls along Biscayne Blvd!
The Issue
As part of the Back Bay Feasibility Study (see link below), the Army Corps of Engineers has proposed concrete flood walls along Biscayne Blvd to address storm surge coming from Biscayne Bay. The area north of 64St which include the neighborhoods of Bayside Historic District, Belle Meade, Shorecrest and part of Miami Shores would be east of 6-9ft walls, essentially not protected from them. Flood walls would close in a hurricane, forcing residents east of the wall to evacuate or be locked in. They do not solve the problem of sea level rise nor work efficiently with storm surge, even directing water to adjacent areas, and they offer no protection from wind, rain and other sources of flooding. They do create more problems for the environment and can negatively impact housing, transit, historic preservation and businesses along the Biscayne corridor.
The GOOD NEWS is that any proposed plan seeking federal money will need to be approved by Congress and construction may take several years to begin after that, buying us some time. Public officials are listening to the residents and business owners of our community and have so far expressed their concern about flood walls, preferring natural solutions. Engineering firms and environmental groups have also proposed nature based strategies that would offer more sustainable and less invasive outcomes. However, when federal dollars are at stake, our local government may be pressured to accept the Army Corps' plan. As residents, business owners and visitors who love this area of Miami, it is important that our voices be heard NOW so that any plan going before Congress prioritizes nature based strategies more compatible with our environment in Miami and sustainable for the future. Flood walls of any kind, even decorated with plants or walkways, are NOT the way forward. Making them pretty will not address our environmental challenges. We're smarter than that. Working with nature is the only way. Let those who represent us know that we do not want our neighborhoods divided. We only truly win when all of us win. Miami can set an example for doing things right. We want NATURE, NOT WALLS!!
https://www.saj.usace.army.mil/MiamiDadeBackBayCSRMFeasibilityStudy/
The Issue
As part of the Back Bay Feasibility Study (see link below), the Army Corps of Engineers has proposed concrete flood walls along Biscayne Blvd to address storm surge coming from Biscayne Bay. The area north of 64St which include the neighborhoods of Bayside Historic District, Belle Meade, Shorecrest and part of Miami Shores would be east of 6-9ft walls, essentially not protected from them. Flood walls would close in a hurricane, forcing residents east of the wall to evacuate or be locked in. They do not solve the problem of sea level rise nor work efficiently with storm surge, even directing water to adjacent areas, and they offer no protection from wind, rain and other sources of flooding. They do create more problems for the environment and can negatively impact housing, transit, historic preservation and businesses along the Biscayne corridor.
The GOOD NEWS is that any proposed plan seeking federal money will need to be approved by Congress and construction may take several years to begin after that, buying us some time. Public officials are listening to the residents and business owners of our community and have so far expressed their concern about flood walls, preferring natural solutions. Engineering firms and environmental groups have also proposed nature based strategies that would offer more sustainable and less invasive outcomes. However, when federal dollars are at stake, our local government may be pressured to accept the Army Corps' plan. As residents, business owners and visitors who love this area of Miami, it is important that our voices be heard NOW so that any plan going before Congress prioritizes nature based strategies more compatible with our environment in Miami and sustainable for the future. Flood walls of any kind, even decorated with plants or walkways, are NOT the way forward. Making them pretty will not address our environmental challenges. We're smarter than that. Working with nature is the only way. Let those who represent us know that we do not want our neighborhoods divided. We only truly win when all of us win. Miami can set an example for doing things right. We want NATURE, NOT WALLS!!
https://www.saj.usace.army.mil/MiamiDadeBackBayCSRMFeasibilityStudy/
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Petition created on March 26, 2021