Lt. Gen. Scott A. Spellmon, commanding general of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, has signed the Chief’s Report for the San Juan Metro Area Coastal Storm Risk Management (CSRM) Study, according to USACE.
The signing of this report marks a crucial milestone and progresses the proposed project to Congress for individual authorization.
“The Coastal Storm Risk Management (CSRM) study for the San Juan Metro Area found that we can reduce back bay risk from coastal flooding and wave attack by utilizing various proven alternatives.”, said Jacksonville District Commander, Col. James Booth .
The primary objectives of the project are to reduce the risk of damages from coastal flooding and wave attack during hurricanes and storms, and increase community resilience from coastal storms and sea level rise in the entire San Juan Metro Area. The study spans across 4 municipalities: Toa Baja, Cataño, Guaynabo, and San Juan.
The Recommended Plan consists of a collection of key structural and natural features in specific locations of low elevation where the highest risk of coastal flooding occurs. It includes construction of a discharge structure, levees, breakwaters, seawalls, and floodwalls in Toa Baja, Cataño, and Guaynabo.
The plan also includes an elevated living shoreline along the northern portion of the Condado Lagoon. Inland hydrology features, such as pump stations and culverts, will complement the project by allowing rainfall runoff through the newly constructed coastal features.
Other key aspects of the plan include environmental mitigation, habitat creation and recreation opportunities on the levees and elevated living shoreline, which can be used by the community for outdoor activities.
Additional information on the San Juan Metro Area CSRM study is available at the study’s website .