Lake Okeechobee Restoration Action Plan Detailed

Secretary Struhs speaks at Lake Okeechobee This plan, aimed at reducing nutrient-rich stormwater water runoff to keep it from polluting the lake, grew from legislation first proposed by Representative Ken Pruitt (R-Port St. Lucie) and Senator John Laurent (R-Bartow). The Legislature provided $38.5 million in state funds to begin what will be a long-term commitment.

"The initial step toward restoration has been taken," said Struhs. "The Legislature has taken a bold step and provided us with the tools, now it's our responsibility to implement these measures."

The plan will proceed in a phase approach, as established by the 1999 Legislature, and will commit the state to a long-term effort to construct new water containment and treatment structures to better control phosphorus at its source. An initial focus will be to cooperate with landowners around the lake basin to further advance existing efforts to reduce and control the release of excess phosphorus from their operations.

"This process won't be an easy one," cautioned Struhs, "and it will require the active involvement of all concerned. However, we can use this as an opportunity to establish Florida as a model for the nation in the management of nonpoint sources of pollution."

The specific provisions of this plan include:

• A watershed phosphorus control program, calling for the phased implementation of phosphorus load reductions, a TMDL proposal, and the formal establishment of restoration goals.
• A phased protection plan that will consist of accelerated construction of stormwater treatment areas and the restoration of isolated wetlands.
• An internal phosphorus management/sediment removal program, which uses best management practices for nonpoint, agricultural, and nonagricultural sources.
• A comprehensive research and water quality monitoring program.
• Identification and eradication of invasive exotic species.

Of the $38.5 million that will be spent on Lake Okeechobe this year, $15 million goes toward research, development, demonstration, and implementation of BMPs and other measures for Lake Okeechobee water quality improvement. The remaining $23.5 million goes toward the implementation of the Source Control Grant Program, the restoration of isolated wetlands, retrofit water control structures, and to buy the Grassy Island Reservoir Assisted Stormwater Treatment Area in Okeechobee County.

Lake Okeechobee Restoration Task Timeline