Written By Max Chesnes, Treasure Coast Newspapers
“Two years after the process began, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Monday selected its foundation for a new Lake Okeechobee management plan. It will determine when, where and how much lake water is sent to coastal estuaries and south to the thirsty Everglades.
The Corps is moving forward with what it calls Alternative CC, a proposal the federal agency hopes will bring the most balanced approach to the next decade of managing the 730-square-mile lake and the many Floridians affected by its freshwater.
“It really represents a balance of balance,” said Corps’ Florida Commander Col. Andrew Kelly after announcing the selection. “And we look forward to making it even better.”
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Here are the comments submitted by The Guardians of Martin County in late June 2021:
The GOMC are a non-profit organization with over 1,500 donors who support a three-prong mission on behalf of growth management, clean water and fiscal responsibility.
We have fully supported the implementation of the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (“CERP”) and the development of effective Lake Okeechobee operations (“Lake operations”) that do not continue to damage coastal estuaries, Lake Okeechobee and the Greater Everglades ecosystem.
The Guardians are concerned that adoption and implementation of several of the remaining models for management of Lake Okeechobee will result in continued adverse impacts to the residents and communities that rely on clean water for their health and economic well-being.
Although none of the options will satisfy all stakeholders, we urge you to adopt Plan CC, with an amendment to send more clean water south to the Everglades and eliminate harmful discharges to the St. Lucie and Caloosahatchee estuaries.
Our residents, visitors and local economies depend on a healthy environment to protect human health and drive our tourism-based economies and quality of life.