Fulfilling a commitment made at the South Florida Ecosystem Restoration Task Force Meeting in July, U.S. Congressman Brian Mast (FL-18), the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the South Florida Water Management District and others will hold a working group meeting on dry season water management strategies to reduce discharges on Friday, August 17, 2018 in Stuart, Fla. The meeting is open to the public and all are encouraged to attend.
WHO:
Rep. Mast
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
South Florida Water Management District
Department of the Interior
Other Federal, State and Local Officials
Environmental Experts
WHEN:
Friday, August 17, 2018
11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
*Media availability with Rep. Mast and Col. Jason Kirk to follow at 1:00 p.m.
WHERE:
Stuart City Hall
121 Southwest Flagler Avenue
Stuart, FL 34994
WHAT:
At the South Florida Ecosystem Restoration Task Force meeting on July 25, 2018, Rep. Mast testified about the need to alter dry season water management strategies to prevent the need for discharges during the wet season. Lowering water levels during the dry season would mitigate the need for discharges immediately and without needing to spend a single additional dollar of taxpayer money.
“Water is being held on Lake Okeechobee not just as it relates to risk management but as it relates to the benefit of a number of other entities to the detriment of an epicenter of population. This issue absolutely needs to be addressed in the short term. This is an emergency situation of health and welfare,” Rep. Mast testified.
At the meeting, Task Force Chairwoman Susan Combs committed to creating a sub-working group to examine dry season water management strategies, resulting in this meeting between Rep. Mast and federal, state and local officials. At the meeting, Rep. Mast will advocate for changes in dry season water management to prevent the need for devastating discharges that have been destroying the Treasure Coast. Since that meeting, Governor Rick Scott has also directed the South Florida Water Management District to analyze “actions that can be taken during dry season to reduce damaging discharges in the future.”
The meeting is open to the public and all residents concerned about the impact of discharges on our environment, economy and health are encouraged to attend.
