Mattamy Homes is transferring 125 acres to Martin County to store muck dredged from the St. Lucie River as part of efforts to improve water quality. The removal project will begin once federal funding is authorized, a company official said.
The parcel is in the northern section of the Newfield development. The developer said the land was donated to the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan, a federal plan to restore, protect and preserve South Florida's water resources.
James Fitzgerald, vice president of community development for Mattamy Homes Southeast Florida Division, said the Florida Inland Navigation District (FIND) is also donating an adjacent 125 acres. Together, the 250 acres can hold 2.4 million cubic yards of muck removed from the river, Fitzgerald said.
Fitzgerald said the muck will dry out after removal. He expressed hope that the land could eventually be used for recreation or, depending on the county's needs, other environmental restoration projects.