conocean Posted February 12, 2016 Report Share Posted February 12, 2016 http://files.ctctcdn.com/06ffa8d5301/568b4158-3195-474d-a455-986074469e44.pdf CCA Florida strongly opposes the Corp of Engineers release of nutrient filled water from Lake Okeechobee that is poisoning the estuaries throughout the Caloosahatchee, St. Lucie and Indian River Lagoon systems. It is beyond question that these discharges cause devastating impact to the coastal marine life so critical to all of our well-being. The untold impact on the health and welfare of the estuaries and the people and economies surrounding these vital waterways cannot be sustained. We applaud Governor Scott's letter to the Secretary of the Army (copied here) requesting alternate routing of the discharges and support the actions he recommends. CCA has studied the problems ***ociated with Lake Okeechobee water releases in recent years and we have stepped up our discussions with government officials in response to the flood of inquiries from our members in recent days. The real solution to this long standing problem remains complex, expensive, and will take much more time to resolve. In the meantime, Governor Scott's request is a step in the right direction. CCA will continue to press our elected leaders, state regulators, the South Florida Water Management District and the Army Corp of Engineers to provide immediate relief to our estuaries while moving forward to a permanent solution. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Capt. Troy Posted February 13, 2016 Report Share Posted February 13, 2016 This is a very complex issue and here is a link to some what explain what is going on. Life safety and the protection of property has trumped the environment in this case. http://www.sfwmd.gov/portal/page/portal/xrepository/sfwmd_repository_pdf/gb_pres_system_constraints_2015_0312.pdf Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeSTJC Posted February 13, 2016 Report Share Posted February 13, 2016 My sincere thanks go out to the CCA, to the "BullSugar" Facebook page and any group that educates the public on this public travesty of our estuaries. It is time to stand up to Big Sugar. Big Sugar has lined the pockets of both Democrat & Republican elected officials so they effectively do nothing but protect Big Sugar. The net result is that US consumers and manufacturers pay about 2X the global price for sugar. Besides the tax subsidies and the loss of jobs to Canada & Mexico (most recently Nabisco to Mexico), we back pump polluted water into Lake O which in turn is pumped to the East & West Coasts and politicians ignore the vote of 75% of Florida voters. No, this is not a complex issue. Our Governor and our Florida Legislature must fund buying the sugar land and start pumping the polluted waters toward the Everglades and not back pump it into Lake O!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Capt. Troy Posted February 13, 2016 Report Share Posted February 13, 2016 If they eliminated Big Sugar the problems will not go away. The root of the problem lies to the north all the way to mouse town. The majority of the nutrient loading and the water are coming from the north. In its natural state, water in the northern Kissimmee Basin meandered south to Lake Okeechobee, flowing into Everglades National Park and eventually Florida Bay. This water had very low levels of phosphorus and nitrogen. Before human alteration to the ecosystem, the Kissimmee Valley would take six to eight months to release wet season loads into Lake Okeechobee. Now this same water drainage takes place within one month, making the Lake rise at an unnaturally rapid pace. Sure something has to be done and a plan is in place. The reality is the federal government needs to step in with the funding. http://patrickmurphy.house.gov/issues/issue/?IssueID=109023 There will be no quick fix to this. The public just needs to stay on top of their representatives to insure we get the funding. Historically this hasn't been the case. As soon as the rain subsides to normal levels all is forgotten or put on the back burner. The Florida Guides ***ociation is preparing another paper for our membership and are also drafting a position paper to be sent to the FWC and the Governor as I type. Unfortunately, this isn't the first time in the last several years we have been down this road. Till next time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mdemott Posted February 13, 2016 Report Share Posted February 13, 2016 My house backed up to the waterway and the St. Lucie Locks. Even though I had the dike between myself and the waterway, many days the smell was very apparent. You could tell when they started to discharge as the Snook would leave and Jacks soon after. After a couple of days you would not be able to mark any fish on the discharge side of the locks. Very sad situation. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnd Posted February 14, 2016 Report Share Posted February 14, 2016 Capt Troy - you are correct in as much as the 'improvements' of the Kissimmee river create basically a sewer line to the Lake. However not allowing the lake to drain naturally south (due to agricultural development) exacerbates the issue. On both coasts this release is an environmental disaster. I don't know what, if any impact, the re-direct of flow to Shark River will have but reports, videos, photos all over social media showing the damages on both coasts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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