Email Subject: Please Follow The Law to Stop Toxic Algae
November 20, 2017
Mr. Michael Albert
Project Manager
South Water Management District
EAAreservoir@sfwmd.gov
cc: rick.scott@eog.myflorida.com
Dear Mr. Albert,
The Water Resource Law of 2017 outlines specific requirements for the storage and treatment of water in a new reservoir to be built south of Lake Okeechobee. According to some independent experts, you are considering altering the approved plan. As a Florida resident, I strongly request that you follow the bill as written.
According to the Water Resource Law of 2017, at least 240,000 acre-feet of water (78 million gallons) must be stored and treated to achieve the maximum possible reduction of Lake Okeechobee discharges to the Caloosahatchee and St. Lucie estuaries.
Experts agree that the reservoir will need roughly 13,000 acres of stormwater treatment area to treat 240,000 acre-feet of water. This is far more than is shown in your current plan. There are also some serious questions being raised about your alternatives in terms of depth in one case and power plant output in another.
This attempt to change the rules after passage of a bill or amendment is reminiscent of the Amendment 1 experience in 2014. Despite approval by more than 75% of voters, the purchase of large parcels of new land to protect Florida’s precious water resources never took place. Instead, the money was redirected to other projects by the state government.
You have been tasked with implementing a plan approved by the Florida Legislature. It is your duty to do what the Water Resource Law of 2017 requires. Only by following the plan can we significantly reduce the toxic algae bloom invasion of our waterways. Please do your job and save thousands of citizens from potentially severe health problems.
Sincerely,
Your Name
