N. Cook
05-05-2005, 08:33 PM
Tommy Shroud, Program Director Accelr8, made a presentation on STA 2 and STA 6 expansions. STA 2 Cell 4, which is just off Rt. 27 to the east, will add 2.3 by 2 miles of new marsh!!! Flow capable is expected in Dec. 2006. Both projects have "Provide public access and recreational opportunities" listed as Purpose and Benefits. UW-F has supplied SFWMD with a postion paper requesting access to the STA 2 area be included in the construction plans to allow not only duck hunting but the establishment of access to the remaining portions of the former Browns Farm WMA.
Our public comments at this meeting reviewed that position paper....we also stated our support for Dr. Susan Gray's efforts to bring life back to Lake Okeechobee. She followed next on the agenda.
Dr. Gray had a very somber analysis of the current condition of the Lake and future prospects are for a slow recovery.....maybe years. Over 80 % of the good vegetation is gone, the water is too dirty to allow new growth and sediment is so soft it redistributes back into the water with even the smallest disturbance.....the water now running into the lake from the rivers is cleaner than the lake....simply unheard of.....The goal of reaching 13 feet in the fall is lost.....the very best will be 14 and the lake is not projected to see below 14 for at least a year....further hurting revegetation.
Releases from the lake are devastating for the estuaries, and they are currently holding back to allow oyster spanning in the St. Lucie. More releases will come......safety is involved in getting the lake at 14 feet before storms come.
The lake can be maintained within the lawful guidelines.....but on the high side....and if the water was not so dirty revegetation would start even at these levels.....but unless there is a long calm period the fishing and hunting and other recreation will be negatively impacted for the foreseeable future.
There was a very interesting presentation on Lake Istokpoga. Minimum flows and levels was the topic and it seems there is very little leeway in these numbers....thats good for fishing and ducks......about 2 feet up or down. There will be official rules set and that process is beginning. There is the intent to maintain and improve "wetlands" and "provide habitat for fish and wildlife" and Public Recreation and Navigation is highlighted.
I don't see any traps in this process to set formal MFL regulations at this time but we will monitor the meetings to be sure the ducks come out on the good side of any issue.
The meeting was well attended by all the agencies and "interested parties" .
Our public comments at this meeting reviewed that position paper....we also stated our support for Dr. Susan Gray's efforts to bring life back to Lake Okeechobee. She followed next on the agenda.
Dr. Gray had a very somber analysis of the current condition of the Lake and future prospects are for a slow recovery.....maybe years. Over 80 % of the good vegetation is gone, the water is too dirty to allow new growth and sediment is so soft it redistributes back into the water with even the smallest disturbance.....the water now running into the lake from the rivers is cleaner than the lake....simply unheard of.....The goal of reaching 13 feet in the fall is lost.....the very best will be 14 and the lake is not projected to see below 14 for at least a year....further hurting revegetation.
Releases from the lake are devastating for the estuaries, and they are currently holding back to allow oyster spanning in the St. Lucie. More releases will come......safety is involved in getting the lake at 14 feet before storms come.
The lake can be maintained within the lawful guidelines.....but on the high side....and if the water was not so dirty revegetation would start even at these levels.....but unless there is a long calm period the fishing and hunting and other recreation will be negatively impacted for the foreseeable future.
There was a very interesting presentation on Lake Istokpoga. Minimum flows and levels was the topic and it seems there is very little leeway in these numbers....thats good for fishing and ducks......about 2 feet up or down. There will be official rules set and that process is beginning. There is the intent to maintain and improve "wetlands" and "provide habitat for fish and wildlife" and Public Recreation and Navigation is highlighted.
I don't see any traps in this process to set formal MFL regulations at this time but we will monitor the meetings to be sure the ducks come out on the good side of any issue.
The meeting was well attended by all the agencies and "interested parties" .