Lake Okeechobee Water Release Request

Lee County Commissioners Send Letter to USACE

NWNA Members:

The Army Corps of Engineers needs to hear our voices and change the way they are managing Lake Okeechobee water releases.

Our precious wildlife, beautiful estuaries, and concerns with our own health are dependent on the timely, responsible releases of this toxic water into our Caloosahatchee Estuary. We would like to see more transparency and changes before they release any more water.

We understand that they are NOT responsible for the water quality, but we feel compelled to reach out and insist they alter the number of times and amount necessary to protect the families that live south of the lake.

Please take a moment to review the letter that the commissioners are sending to them and support their decision by adding your own comments and thoughts on this important subject with an email.

Thank you,
John Bashaw

The United States Army Corps of Engineers is currently writing a new playbook for how and when they send water our way from Lake Okeechobee, and it's not looking good for us.

Last week our Chairman, Commissioner Kevin Ruane wrote a letter to them imploring that they change their proposed rules. He stated, "All four plans that included decision trees appear to be varying levels of devastating for the Caloosahatchee Estuary. This is unacceptable." I want to thank Commissioner Ruane for taking this approach with the agencies that are supposed to be looking out for all interests during this process.

Clearly, we are at a point where they simply view Lee County taxpayers as a revenue source and a place to put their dirty water, and that's it. It's time that we unite as one voice and let the Army Corps of Engineers know that any balanced plan must decrease high volume discharges and increase optimal flows. We cannot continue to be starved for water in the dry season only to be deluged by high volume discharges weeks later as the rainy season arrives.

As they continue to draft this new playbook, it is very important that they hear from all of us. Please email:

LakeOComments@usace.army.mil and let them know how you feel.