Barnard recently completed three contracts for the South Florida Water Management District as part of a broad-based effort to restore the Everglades. Originally conceived of as a 16,000-acre above-ground reservoir, the EAA A-1 Project was intended to allow for the collection and controlled releases of water from Lake Okeechobee and Central Florida prior to its release into the Everglades. Currently, the project is being re-evaluated to provide the best benefit to the Everglades’ restoration in light of the recent U.S. Sugar land purchase by the State of Florida.

The joint venture of Barnard Construction and Parsons Water & Infrastructure completed three GMP contracts assembled to create this project. GMP #s 1 through 3 prepared the way with constructability and design reviews, clearing and grubbing, muck removal, dewatering, drilling and blasting, excavation for a seepage control canal, various embankment test sections, and construction of a massive aggregate production plant. Barnard self-performed roughly 75 percent of the various contracts while also conducting very successful subcontracting and local hiring programs.  We actively engaged the local community in our outreach program to ensure maximum local participation.  More than 77 percent of the project’s goods and services were purchased locally.  Additionally, 80 percent of the employees came directly from the surrounding area, resulting in several millions of dollars directly reinvested in the local community. Barnard instituted an onsite training program for operators. This program trained employees on various heavy equipment allowing individuals to advance their knowledge of the industry. The program provided an opportunity to displaced agricultural workers within the region.