N. Cook
10-12-2005, 08:09 AM
Col. Carpenter and representatives of the USACE met with the "interested parties" in the first public meeting of the Corps role in "saving" Lake O in Clewiston last nite. ( the next meeting will be in Stuart Oct. 25).
Col. Carpenter gave a very detailed analysis of the situation and, contrary to the many negative statements seen and heard from pundits and advocates, seemed to have reached the conclusion in 2003 that the lake had to be held lower and allowed to reach 12 to 13 feet in the fall and spring. That is when the initial "deviation" requested by Dr. Susan Gray and the SFWMD (and supported by UW-F) was allowed.
The disasterous effects of the 2004 hurricanes overcame that initiative and now all parties will need to work together to get the lake back down so that a new and even more lenient "deviation schedule" can be put into place.
There will be a series of additional meetings for public input.
We were able to speak to UW-F's continuing support of a lower lake and the need to allow revegetation and the resulting water quality improvements.
The revegetation issue will be discussed at a forthcoming USACE/SFWMD public meeting to be held Oct. 21 at 1 PM at the Roland Martin Marina. UW-F will be represented at that meeting. Your comments are welcome.
Col. Carpenter gave a very detailed analysis of the situation and, contrary to the many negative statements seen and heard from pundits and advocates, seemed to have reached the conclusion in 2003 that the lake had to be held lower and allowed to reach 12 to 13 feet in the fall and spring. That is when the initial "deviation" requested by Dr. Susan Gray and the SFWMD (and supported by UW-F) was allowed.
The disasterous effects of the 2004 hurricanes overcame that initiative and now all parties will need to work together to get the lake back down so that a new and even more lenient "deviation schedule" can be put into place.
There will be a series of additional meetings for public input.
We were able to speak to UW-F's continuing support of a lower lake and the need to allow revegetation and the resulting water quality improvements.
The revegetation issue will be discussed at a forthcoming USACE/SFWMD public meeting to be held Oct. 21 at 1 PM at the Roland Martin Marina. UW-F will be represented at that meeting. Your comments are welcome.