The renewed purpose of Loxahatchee River Watershed Restoration Plan is to restore and sustain the overall quantity, quality, timing, and distribution of freshwaters to the federally designated “National Wild and Scenic” Northwest Fork of the Loxahatchee River for current and future generations. This project also seeks to restore, sustain, and reconnect the area’s wetlands and watersheds that form the historic headwaters for the river.
These areas include Jonathan Dickinson State Park, Pal Mar East/Cypress Creek, Dupuis Wildlife and Environmental Management Areas, J.W. Corbett Wildlife Management Area, Grassy Waters Preserve, Loxahatchee Slough, the last remaining riverine cypress stands in Southeast Florida in the Loxahatchee River, and the Loxahatchee River Estuary.
Planning efforts for the project were put on hold in 2011 and have now been restarted. Currently, the project is being re-scoped and existing plan formulation data and analysis will be used in the development of a final plan, known as a Project Implementation Report and Environmental Impact Statement, to prepare for congressional authorization.