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LAKE OKEECHOBEE - Governor Jeb Bush, joined by
Agriculture Commissioner Charles Bronson, Senator Ken Pruitt
and Representative Joe Negron on the shores of Lake Okeechobee,
today unveiled a comprehensive plan to accelerate restoration
and recovery of the largest freshwater lake in the southeast.
Under the $200 million recovery plan, the State is expanding
water storage areas, constructing treatment marshes and
expediting environmental management initiatives to enhance
the ecological health of the lake and downstream coastal
estuaries. Governor Bush will ask the Florida Legislature
to provide a second installment of $25 million in next year’s
budget, building on an initial investment of $30 million
this year - $25 million in growth management funding from
the Department of Environmental Protection and $5 million
from the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.
“Lake Okeechobee is the gateway to America’s Everglades.
Restoring this dynamic system is critical to the long-term
economic and environmental health of South Florida,” said
Governor Bush. “This comprehensive, common-sense plan will
reduce pollution and better manage the flow of water while
meeting our flood control and water supply responsibilities.”
The 2004 hurricane season generated unprecedented rainfall,
dumping up to 13 million gallons of water each minute into
Lake Okeechobee at its peak. The 730-square-mile lake rose
by more than five and a half feet in less than three months
-- from just over 12 feet in early August to more than 18
feet by mid-October. The high winds, heavy rainfall and
recent warm weather contributed to murky waters, poor water
quality and a decline in the health of the lake. In addition,
regulated freshwater discharges needed to lower lake levels
and prevent flooding have impacted the health of the St
Lucie and Caloosahatchee estuaries downstream.
“Florida has repeatedly demonstrated its commitment to
protecting the state’s natural resources for the benefit
of its residents and the environment,” said Florida Department
of Environmental Protection Secretary Colleen M. Castille.
“Strengthening regulatory requirements and stepping up the
pace of construction projects can turn tragedy into triumph,
bringing about measurable results toward the long-term recovery
of Florida’s liquid heart.”
Together with Florida’s Lake Okeechobee Protection Plan
and the $8 billion Comprehensive Everglades Restoration
Plan, this proposal fast tracks construction projects during
the next four years. Water managers will construct the 4,000-acre
Taylor Creek reservoir ahead of schedule and build an additional
3,500 acres of stormwater treatment area to capture and
clean water flowing into the lake. Slated for completion
by 2009, the construction projects will provide 48,000-acre
feet of additional water storage, reduce harmful discharges
to coastal estuaries and prevent up to 75 metric tons of
phosphorus from flowing into the lake each year.
As a part of the plan, State agencies are raising standards
and expediting environmental requirements to reduce nutrient
loading and better address land use. Improved farming practices,
strengthened permitting criteria for new development, growth
management incentives and nutrient limits for the lake and
its tributaries will reduce pollution and improve water
quality. The State will also begin implementing a new lake
regulation schedule with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
to lower water levels and reduce freshwater discharges to
the St. Lucie and Caloosahatchee estuaries to improve current
conditions.
“Lake Okeechobee, the Caloosahatchee River, the St. Lucie
River and our coastal estuaries are suffering,” said Carol
Ann Wehle, Executive Director for the South Florida Water
Management District. “Improving ecological conditions will
take the strong commitment of communities, individuals and
all levels of government to ensure this interconnected system
is restored and remains healthy in the future.”
The heart of America’s Everglades, the Lake Okeechobee
natural system begins in the Kissimmee Chain of Lakes and
flows south into Florida Bay. Since 2000, Florida has invested
more than $70 million to improve farming practices, construct
wetlands and implement phosphorus reduction technologies
to improve the health of America’s second largest freshwater
lake.
The Lake Okeechobee and estuary recovery plan involves
the South Florida Water Management District, Department
of Environmental Protection, Department of Community Affairs
and Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.
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