The Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation (SCCF) reported positive developments regarding the Lake Okeechobee System Operating Manual (LOSOM), the updated management plan for Lake Okeechobee. On May 24, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers released a Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) for the plan, signifying its nearing completion.
LOSOM aims to optimize water flow distribution from Lake Okeechobee. The plan prioritizes supplying the Caloosahatchee and St. Lucie watersheds with low or optimal levels of lake water, while also increasing the volume directed south towards the Everglades and Florida Bay. The SCCF actively participated in the LOSOM development process over the past five years, providing data analysis, evaluation, and feedback on proposed strategies.
The FEIS is currently undergoing a 30-day public review period. Following this phase, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is expected to issue and sign a Record of Decision (ROD), officially implementing LOSOM.
“The upcoming wet season makes this a crucial time for LOSOM’s implementation,” said SCCF Environmental Policy Director Matt DePaolis. “This plan offers the operational flexibility to potentially minimize the negative consequences of harmful algal blooms (HABs) impacting our northern estuaries. While LOSOM is not a complete solution, it will significantly reduce the number of harmful discharges transporting polluted lake water into these ecosystems. As our recent study revealed, even a single HAB event can devastate the economies of our coastal communities.”
The SCCF highlighted some of LOSOM’s anticipated benefits, including recognizing the Seminole Tribe of Florida’s distinct water needs, reducing pressure on the Caloosahatchee and St. Lucie Estuaries, enhancing water flow southwards, and providing better management of HABs.
“With LOSOM in place, we’ll be closer to safeguarding our estuaries, bolstering our communities, and restoring America’s Everglades,” DePaolis remarked.
The SCCF acknowledged that the FEIS emphasizes the ongoing need for additional water storage solutions as envisioned in the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan. Additionally, a recent SCCF Marine Lab study underscores the importance of addressing local watershed pollutants to fully protect the Caloosahatchee Estuary.
Public Meeting Opportunity
The public is invited to attend and participate in a virtual LOSOM Project Delivery Team Meeting on July 24th, from 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM. Details for joining the meeting are as follows:
- WebEx Link: [WebEx link not provided due to privacy concerns]
- Call-in toll-free number (ATT Audio Conference): 1-844-800-2712
- Call-in number (ATT Audio Conference): 1-669-234-1177
- Access Code: 1997788788
For inquiries regarding the FEIS, you can email LakeOComments@usace.army.mil or mail your correspondence to:
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Jacksonville District Attn: Jacob Thompson, Project Biologist 701 San Marco Blvd. Jacksonville, FL 32207-8915
FEIS Access
The FEIS can be accessed at: https://usace.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/collection/p16021coll7/id/20286
