N. Cook
10-06-2005, 02:02 PM
The WRAC struggled with the wording of the LAKE OKEECHOBEE RESTORATION COMMITTEE's Resolution....especially over the "forward pumps". Some changes were made and it was expected the language could be worked out so the Resolution could be presented to the Board next week.
The "forward pumps" are controversial, desired by the farmers, hated by the enviros. They would be needed if the lake fell below 12 feet in a drought.
The Resolution calls for modifying the current USCOE rules for depth to allow a lower average depth with low points in the fall and spring.
I was able during "public comments" to encourage the WRAC to get the Resolution to the Board as the lake is dying while they are argueing over whether the word in the Resolution should be "this or that!!!" Ahhhhh Bureacrats!!!! I also noted that the newspaper this morning reported the cost of CERP had now gone from $8.3 billion to $10.1 and they were wasting more of the taxpapers' money while they argued.
Bob Howard, SFWMD Operations, expressed the controversy of spraying on the lake. I was able to speak to the subject during "public comments" noting that with 80% of the vegetation on the lake killed by the storms, only essential spraying should be done. I also was able to express our unhappiness with the fact that a CORPS boat sprayed near duck hunters last Wednesday. The lady who is with the USCOE in Clewiston invited me to meet with her and to arrange further meetings of all parties to discuss the issues.
Dan Thayer, who directs the SFWMD spraying, had photos of the Indian Praire Canal which is choked with water hyacinth and water lettuce ( as noted by a member who tried to hunt there early season). These are two exotics UW-F does not mind being sprayed (along with cattails).
During "public comments" I reminded the WRAC that WCA 3 was closed, due to poor drainage into the Park under the Tamiami Trail and there would be a lot of very unhappy people if the area was not open for hunting. Rock Salt, DOI informed me the culverts had been cleared but that a berm of mud on the park side was causing unexpected blockage.....clearing the sediment is a big problem as the Park is concerned about contaminates. Pray for drought!
I mentioned Byron Maharray's surgery and all wished him a quick recovery so he could join me in our "good cop, bad cop" routines!
Last, I gave the WRAC a brief report on the successful Early Teal Season on the STAs and all the good will generated for the SFWMD.
The "forward pumps" are controversial, desired by the farmers, hated by the enviros. They would be needed if the lake fell below 12 feet in a drought.
The Resolution calls for modifying the current USCOE rules for depth to allow a lower average depth with low points in the fall and spring.
I was able during "public comments" to encourage the WRAC to get the Resolution to the Board as the lake is dying while they are argueing over whether the word in the Resolution should be "this or that!!!" Ahhhhh Bureacrats!!!! I also noted that the newspaper this morning reported the cost of CERP had now gone from $8.3 billion to $10.1 and they were wasting more of the taxpapers' money while they argued.
Bob Howard, SFWMD Operations, expressed the controversy of spraying on the lake. I was able to speak to the subject during "public comments" noting that with 80% of the vegetation on the lake killed by the storms, only essential spraying should be done. I also was able to express our unhappiness with the fact that a CORPS boat sprayed near duck hunters last Wednesday. The lady who is with the USCOE in Clewiston invited me to meet with her and to arrange further meetings of all parties to discuss the issues.
Dan Thayer, who directs the SFWMD spraying, had photos of the Indian Praire Canal which is choked with water hyacinth and water lettuce ( as noted by a member who tried to hunt there early season). These are two exotics UW-F does not mind being sprayed (along with cattails).
During "public comments" I reminded the WRAC that WCA 3 was closed, due to poor drainage into the Park under the Tamiami Trail and there would be a lot of very unhappy people if the area was not open for hunting. Rock Salt, DOI informed me the culverts had been cleared but that a berm of mud on the park side was causing unexpected blockage.....clearing the sediment is a big problem as the Park is concerned about contaminates. Pray for drought!
I mentioned Byron Maharray's surgery and all wished him a quick recovery so he could join me in our "good cop, bad cop" routines!
Last, I gave the WRAC a brief report on the successful Early Teal Season on the STAs and all the good will generated for the SFWMD.