Written by Max Chesnes, Treasure Coast Newspapers
Photo: Trapper John
Timor Powers Park boat launch Indiantown, May 28, 2021
U.S. Rep Brian Mast joined a coalition of Florida environment groups at the Port Mayaca Lock and Dam Tuesday to convey support for a revised Lake Okeechobee plan which sends more water south to the thirsty Everglades and eliminates discharges from the lake to coastal estuaries.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is in the process of re-writing its lake management rules for the first time since 2008, and decision time is drawing closer. Corps officials say the selection of a final plan could come as soon as July.
Now, the Palm City Republican and fellow Congressman Byron Donalds (R-Naples) are publicly calling on the Corps to adopt an improved version of one of five final Lake O plans they hope will:
- Eliminate Lake O discharges to the St. Lucie River
- Increase dry season lake flows south to the Everglades
- Eliminate discharges to the Caloosahatchee River while keeping beneficial dry season releases between a weekly average rate of 484 million and 1.4 billion gallons of water per day at the W.P Franklin Lock and Dam
- Minimize discharges to the Lake Worth Lagoon
- Avoid discharging to estuaries when cyanotoxin levels exceed the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s health guidelines for exposure
Read the story online:
Florida environment groups join Mast, Donalds calling on Corps to stop Lake O discharges
Attached are images of green algae in Indiantown.
Location : Timor Powers Park boat launch ramp;
Date: May 28, 2021
Time: 9:36 am.