Welcoming the new Army Corps Commander

July 12, 2024
A changing of the guard for the Army Corps of Engineers, Jacksonville District.

Yesterday, we partnered with Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation (SCCF) and the SanCap Chamber in welcoming incoming District Commander, Colonel Brandon Bowman, to the Army Corps of Engineers Jacksonville District—the agency responsible for managing Lake Okeechobee and construction of Everglades Restoration projects. ⁠

Colonel Bowman will be replacing Colonel Booth, who has fulfilled his commitment as the District Commander.

During Colonel Booth’s three years in command, he managed District operations at a newfound level of transparency and stakeholder engagement, a direct result of the massive increase in public advocacy from people like you. ⁠

“We’ve been able to cut ribbons on completed projects and celebrate groundbreakings, and that’s because of your advocacy,” said Colonel Booth. “This is decades of work, this is generations of work, and that takes everybody making sure that they’re pulling together, staying involved, and making sure that they’re keeping their leaders informed of how important this effort is.”⁠

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This event was a perfect opportunity to continue to engage productively with the Corps and to demonstrate the widespread support to the fight for clean water. It was a chance to showcase to the new Commander the passion our communities share in solving this water-quality crisis.

“For progress to happen, it takes stakeholders working well with government at all levels,” said our Executive Director, Capt. Daniel Andrews. “And when you’re looking at the largest wetland ecosystem restoration project ever undertaken, in the history of the world, it takes everybody coming together and learning to trust each other, learning to communicate.”

https://captainsforcleanwater.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/970x250-CFCW-Raffle-Skiff-2.jpg

It was a great turnout with strong support from guides, business members, scientists, and everyday advocates—a representation and reminder of the millions of diverse people affected by these issues.

Colonel Booth, who had attended several other recent engagements with the incoming Commander, even said of the event, “This is certainly the biggest engagement we’ve had over the last week, and we really appreciate it. It really shows the importance of the activities that we’re doing and decisions that we’re making.”

It’s critical that we remain informed and active advocates for the future of our waters, so that we can continue to engage productively with the Corps and work together towards achieving restoration goals! ⁠

So, big thank you to those who were able to attend the event and show your support.

A changing of the guard for the Army Corps of Engineers, Jacksonville District.

Yesterday, we partnered with Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation (SCCF) and the SanCap Chamber in welcoming incoming District Commander, Colonel Brandon Bowman, to the Army Corps of Engineers Jacksonville District—the agency responsible for managing Lake Okeechobee and construction of Everglades Restoration projects. ⁠

Colonel Bowman will be replacing Colonel Booth, who has fulfilled his commitment as the District Commander.

During Colonel Booth’s three years in command, he managed District operations at a newfound level of transparency and stakeholder engagement, a direct result of the massive increase in public advocacy from people like you. ⁠

“We’ve been able to cut ribbons on completed projects and celebrate groundbreakings, and that’s because of your advocacy,” said Colonel Booth. “This is decades of work, this is generations of work, and that takes everybody making sure that they’re pulling together, staying involved, and making sure that they’re keeping their leaders informed of how important this effort is.”⁠

DSC00876
DSC01036
DSC00811
DSC00654
DSC01333

This event was a perfect opportunity to continue to engage productively with the Corps and to demonstrate the widespread support to the fight for clean water. It was a chance to showcase to the new Commander the passion our communities share in solving this water-quality crisis.

“For progress to happen, it takes stakeholders working well with government at all levels,” said our Executive Director, Capt. Daniel Andrews. “And when you’re looking at the largest wetland ecosystem restoration project ever undertaken, in the history of the world, it takes everybody coming together and learning to trust each other, learning to communicate.”

https://captainsforcleanwater.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/970x250-CFCW-Raffle-Skiff-2.jpg

It was a great turnout with strong support from guides, business members, scientists, and everyday advocates—a representation and reminder of the millions of diverse people affected by these issues.

Colonel Booth, who had attended several other recent engagements with the incoming Commander, even said of the event, “This is certainly the biggest engagement we’ve had over the last week, and we really appreciate it. It really shows the importance of the activities that we’re doing and decisions that we’re making.”

It’s critical that we remain informed and active advocates for the future of our waters, so that we can continue to engage productively with the Corps and work together towards achieving restoration goals! ⁠

So, big thank you to those who were able to attend the event and show your support.