Florida Announces
Okeechobee Cleanup Plan
October 11, 2005 — By Curt Anderson, Associated Press
LAKE OKEECHOBEE, Fla. — A $200
million plan to restore the Southeast's largest freshwater lake includes
expanded reservoirs, new marshes and permanently lower lake levels, Gov.
Jeb Bush said Monday.
Lake Okeechobee, covering 730 square miles north of the Everglades, has
long suffered from phosphorus-laden runoff from nearby farms and towns
that promotes harmful plant growth. It's similar to the problem in the
Everglades, which is the subject of a federal-state restoration.
The state plan for the lake requires legislative funding. Bush said he
will seek $25 million in next year's budget. This year, the state is
tapping into $30 million from other appropriations.
Under the plan, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will revise its
regulations on lake levels by December so that less unhealthy water is
discharged into the St. Lucie and Caloosahatchee estuaries. That will
also help dry out marshes in Lake Okeechobee itself.
Last year, four major hurricanes combined to raise lake levels and stir
up pollution. The added depth and muck blocks sunlight -- killing fish
and plants.
The restoration plan also envisions construction of a 4,000-acre
reservoir ahead of schedule in 2009 and an additional 3,500 acres of
stormwater treatment areas that would divert and cleanse lake
discharges.
Source: Associated Press |