The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers says it is moving forward with repairing the Herbert Hoover Dike along Lake Okeechobee.
The Army Corps announced on Wednesday the approval of a study to guide future repair work to the dike.
The Army Corps says it finally has a definitive plan for completing the rehabilitation of the 143 mile structure around Lake Okeechobee.
The entire project is expected to cost around $1.7 billion.
Repairs to the dike are to ensure the safety and well-being of the communities surrounding the lake.
"It's important for everyone; the children that live around here the kids the families that have grown up here. This is their livelihood and we don't want anyone hurt we don't want loss of lives we don't want any kind of disaster,” said Mary Ann Martin.