By Eve Samples
January 5, 2018
TC Palm
Let’s make this as clear as possible.
More land to store and clean water south of Lake Okeechobee equals less lake water dumped in the St. Lucie and Caloosahatchee rivers, two of Florida’s most valuable estuaries.
And:
Less lake water dumped in the estuaries equals fewer toxic algae blooms and bacteria warnings.
And:
Fewer toxic algae blooms and bacteria warnings equals stronger marine, tourism and real estate industries.
Plus:
More clean water moved from Lake Okeechobee to the Everglades equals a more stable water supply for South Florida — an essential component of a strong statewide economy.
Ergo:
More land for storing and treating water south of Lake O = a better economy for Florida.
And, yes, it can be done without causing undue harm to the sugarcane fields and other farming interests south of Lake Okeechobee.
That’s the message we need Gov. Rick Scott and Florida lawmakers to keep in mind when the legislative session begins Tuesday in Tallahassee.
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