FDOT withdraws from push to extend SR 7 near preserve -- for now

WEST PALM BEACH — The Florida Department of Transportation has at least temporarily withdrawn from the battle to extend State Road 7 next to West Palm Beach' s Grassy Waters Preserve but has assured its partner in the effort, Palm Beach County, that it's a strategic withdrawal from administrative hearings and not the end of the fight against the city for the roadway, seen as a traffic-reliever near an area of rapid development.

The transportation department and county government have been fighting for the road for years, asserting that the design would build in features to buffer the 23-square-mile preserve from runoff contamination. The proposed route would stretch along the western border of the natural area, a remnant of the Everglades whose surface waters feed into West Palm's reservoirs. The multimillion-dollar legal battle has long exacerbated tensions between the city and county, though there have been recent efforts to calm the waters despite it.

“I’m pleased that the application has been withdrawn,” Mayor Keith James said Thursday. “This will preserve the water quality of Grassy Waters Preserve from degradation from nutrient discharges from the proposed road that could have led to algal blooms and other environmental impacts. This also reduces the possibility of flooding in communities within the city. The withdrawal of the permit now creates an opportunity for everyone to work together, to reassess the situation, and to identify new solutions including alternate routes that will have less impact on Grassy Waters Preserve.”

County Attorney Denise Nieman described the withdrawal from administrative hearings into the matter, which had been scheduled for mid-August, as a procedural shift in light of legal circumstances of the case, not an indication of its ultimate outcome.

"It’s far from over," she said. "Procedurally there is nothing pending right now but there is nothing to prevent FDOT and us from submitting new permit applications. Everything we’ve heard from FDOT indicates it’s going to happen."

In a memo to inform county commissioners of the withdrawal, Nieman included a comment from FDOT's district counsel, Rafael Garcia, confirming that  despite the change, "the Department remains fully committed to this project and looks forward to working with Palm Beach County to complete the SR 7 Extension construction following further review by the permitting agencies.”

tdoris@pbpost.com

Follow Tony Doris on Twitter @TonyDorisPBP