Converted
07-20-2007, 08:09 AM
I attended the Corp public meeting on the proposed operation plan for the Istokpoga Canal and C-41A last night in Sebring.
http://www.evergladesplan.org./pm/public_meetings/071907_mtg_stillwater.aspx
I had several concerns about how the new L-67 and L-67X structures would be operated. A section of the summary states...
However, in Zone B, water managers should attempt to avoid or minimize releases through S-67 and S-67X when water is needed southeast of Lake Istokpoga in C&SF Project canal(s).
That statement is troubling because it does not consider the needs of the restored Kissimmee River. I urged the Corp. to balance the needs of the water users along the C-41A and C-40 canals with the needs of the river.
"Although the fish are pretty smart when I try to throw a plug at them they are not nearly smart enough to pull a consumptive use permit for the water that they need to survive. It is up to us to reserve the water needed for the natural system."
When the Kissimmee River is restored down to the S-65D there will be many times when excess water in Lake Istokpoga could be used to hydrate the flood plain.
I also made it clear that we (folks down stream) don't want the dirty Lake Istokpoga water sent straight down the C-41A when it could be sent through the restored marsh and get cleaned up before reaching Lake Okeechobee and then on to the estuaries and Everglades. I made sure to twist the knife ("Overly agressive Aquatic Plant Management on Lake Istokpoga makes your own nutrient loading problems worse and add to the problems down stream")
The Corp. Meeting Notice states...
Coordination under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) for S-67, S-67X and the Spillway Additions at S-68, S-83 and S-84 is complete.
I asked for a copy of this EIS or EA and found that they are refering to the original Kissimmee River Restoration EIS completed in 1991. I have no intention of requesting a supplemental but I hope the needs of the natural system will be fully protected in the new operation schedule.
On another subject, the Corp has run out of funds to complete the northern reach of the river restoration project although backfilling is complete. The remaining work is clean-up and removal of the temporary bridge structures used for the project. It is my understanding that a boat up to about 8' wide can navaigate throught the pilings however I don't believe the river has been re-opened to navagation. The same funding pot was being used for the Istokpoga Canal boat ramp and the L-67 structures so those are on hold as well. The Corp. has the funds available in another pot but needs congessional committee approval for the transfer:00000015:
http://www.evergladesplan.org./pm/public_meetings/071907_mtg_stillwater.aspx
I had several concerns about how the new L-67 and L-67X structures would be operated. A section of the summary states...
However, in Zone B, water managers should attempt to avoid or minimize releases through S-67 and S-67X when water is needed southeast of Lake Istokpoga in C&SF Project canal(s).
That statement is troubling because it does not consider the needs of the restored Kissimmee River. I urged the Corp. to balance the needs of the water users along the C-41A and C-40 canals with the needs of the river.
"Although the fish are pretty smart when I try to throw a plug at them they are not nearly smart enough to pull a consumptive use permit for the water that they need to survive. It is up to us to reserve the water needed for the natural system."
When the Kissimmee River is restored down to the S-65D there will be many times when excess water in Lake Istokpoga could be used to hydrate the flood plain.
I also made it clear that we (folks down stream) don't want the dirty Lake Istokpoga water sent straight down the C-41A when it could be sent through the restored marsh and get cleaned up before reaching Lake Okeechobee and then on to the estuaries and Everglades. I made sure to twist the knife ("Overly agressive Aquatic Plant Management on Lake Istokpoga makes your own nutrient loading problems worse and add to the problems down stream")
The Corp. Meeting Notice states...
Coordination under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) for S-67, S-67X and the Spillway Additions at S-68, S-83 and S-84 is complete.
I asked for a copy of this EIS or EA and found that they are refering to the original Kissimmee River Restoration EIS completed in 1991. I have no intention of requesting a supplemental but I hope the needs of the natural system will be fully protected in the new operation schedule.
On another subject, the Corp has run out of funds to complete the northern reach of the river restoration project although backfilling is complete. The remaining work is clean-up and removal of the temporary bridge structures used for the project. It is my understanding that a boat up to about 8' wide can navaigate throught the pilings however I don't believe the river has been re-opened to navagation. The same funding pot was being used for the Istokpoga Canal boat ramp and the L-67 structures so those are on hold as well. The Corp. has the funds available in another pot but needs congessional committee approval for the transfer:00000015: