SFWMD Achieves Favorable Legal Outcome in Fight to Protect Grassy Waters Preserve

Jan. 18, 2018

West Palm Beach, FL – The South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) has achieved a favorable legal outcome in its effort to protect the environmental quality of Grassy Waters Preserve, a 23-square-mile natural area, home to protected and endangered species, an Aquatic Resource of National Importance and the source of drinking water for the City of West Palm Beach, the Town of Palm Beach and the Town of South Palm Beach.

On Jan. 16, 2018, the City and SFWMD entered a Stipulated Dismissal of the District's Administrative Complaint and Order for Corrective Action against the City of West Palm Beach. In effect, the City agreed to participate in protection and restoration of Grassy Waters, which was the goal of the September 2016 administrative complaint against the City, and which correctly alleged the City's shared responsibility for stormwater discharges from the Northern Palm Beach County Improvement District's lakes (located in the Ibis neighborhood).

This dismissal will allow the City of West Palm Beach to focus its attention on Grassy Waters restoration.

Last year, SFWMD also won a challenge filed by the City pertaining to a permit allowing for the expansion of State Road 7.