Public comment wanted for Lake Okeechobee water management plan

The U.S. Army Corps of engineers needs your help on a proposal for Lake Okeechobee. They’re asking for people’s opinions on a plan that would send more water to the Everglades.

The goal is to protect the water supply and reduce the need for harmful discharges in the northern estuaries. Not everyone is happy about this proposal.

Lake Okeechobee contributes to vast waterways used for fishing and recreation and is where many species of wildlife call home. It’s also contributing to blue-green algae.

“When the lake has a massive algae bloom like it does now, then, you know, we want that fresh water to balance the salinity in the envelope. We’re also getting the algae along with it. So we’re, we’re kind of concerned about that,” said Calusa Waterkeeper John Cassani.

Change is coming, and the Army Corps of Engineers has revised its management schedule for the lake.

Tim Gysan is the Lake Okeechobee System Operating Manual or LOSOM project manager.

“So the goal of LOSOM is to really make more beneficial decisions with the water that’s in Lake Okeechobee. How can we make releases to continue providing flood control and dam safety, but make it in such a way that we’re providing benefit to not only the lake but to everyone who’s receiving that water?” said Gysan.

LOSOM outlines where Lake O’s water resources will head and when. Toxic algal blooms won’t disappear because of the new operating manual, but the Army Corps does promise a reduction.

“The Lake Okeechobee Systems Operation Manual is better because we’ve had an input from all the stakeholders that are involved in how we operate the lake,” said Colonel James Booth, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Jacksonville District commander.

With so many users and interest groups, the challenge is making everyone happy.

“And so sometimes that one perspective may want to have gotten further in a certain area. And sometimes we can’t go that far because it pushes too hard against another interest. So we’re working to balance all those interests,” said Booth.

The time is winding down for you to weigh in. The Army Corps is asking for comments from the public on LOSOM before Monday, September 12. The new plan is expected to be implemented in 2023.

You can provide your comments by clicking here.