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Governor Scott Signs Legislation to Protect Lake Okeechobee

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Governor Rick Scott today toured Lake Okeechobee and hosted a ceremonial bill signing for SB 10, which helps protect Florida’s environment by authorizing the building of a reservoir south of Lake Okeechobee.

WATCH: Remarks by Senator Joe Negron

“…to work with [Governor Scott] and work with our federal partners to make sure that the rehabilitation of the dike around Lake O is done expeditiously, that we expedite it. I had a good phone call this morning with Colonel Kirk about that issue and also about the commitment of the Army Corps of Engineers to work with the South Florida Water Management District and the Legislature as we implement SB 10.… I want to thank everyone who’s here, the Governor, I want to particularly thank Senator Bradley, who sponsored SB 10 in the Senate, also Senator Latvala, who is our appropriations chair, who made sure that we got through the appropriations process and worked to make the final product happen, and lastly Representative Altman, who was the sponsor in the House. I appreciate everything that everyone has done and look forward to this project being completed in a timely manner and thank you again Governor.”

WATCH: Remarks by Ryan Matthews, Interim Secretary, Florida Department of Environmental Protection

“I believe that Florida is the envy of the United States because of our vast resources and our unique ecosystems. I also think we are in a particularly enviable position currently because we have the Governor, who has shown that he will tirelessly fight for Florida’s families and our environment. We have a Governor that has shown he can utilize his relationships and partnerships with  not only President Trump, but federal officials at the highest levels of the government. Because of that, I believe that Florida will see increased appropriations, such as money for the [Herbert Hoover] Dike, which is desperately needed. But also, we’ll see appropriations for federal dollars that are needed for that storage east and west of the lake with the C-43 and C-44 [reservoirs]. SB 10 will provide needed storage south of the lake and we will continue to look at comprehensive ways to restore this beautiful ecosystem… I’d like to thank the Governor for his continued fight and effort to protect Florida’s families and the environment.”

WATCH: Remarks by Dan O’Keefe, Chairman, South Florida Water Management District

Good morning everybody. I really am honored to be here today in the presence of a Governor, whose vision and dedication and tireless efforts, has done more for the Everglades restoration in his six years in office than the prior six administrations combined… By strongly advocating for the crucial dollars necessary to fix the rehab of the Herbert Hoover Dike, our Governor has shown a commitment to protecting the lives of the communities that live in fear of the potential breach and to protect the environment. Once this Dike is repaired, we are very optimistic that we will be able to store more water than any other current project that we have on the books. As Chairman of the largest water management district in the Sunshine State, representing the people of our district, the people of the State of Florida, I’d like to thank the Governor and the Legislature and all of you for your efforts and your leadership to make this happen today.”

WATCH: B-roll following tour of Lake Okeechobee & Remarks by Gov. Scott

“Today is an exciting day. We get to sign SB 10, which is part of continuing to fix the flow of water and the Everglades… This is good for all of us- it’s good for our wildlife, it’s good for our agricultural industry. This is good for our state and especially this part of our state. I’m proud to sign this with all of you here. I’d also like to recognize the individuals that do business down here… and thank them for being here and supporting this… Like everything you do in life, you can’t stop…To have the opportunity to sign SB 10 and focus on how we are going to get storage south of the lake – that’s a big deal and long term, it is going to be a big opportunity. But every day we have to think what we are going to do next- that’s why it’s very important to me that we get the [Herbert Hoover] Dike fixed.”

Major Expansion of Southern Water Storage Becomes Law

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Governor Scott Signs Plan to Reduce Harmful Discharges from Lake Okeechobee

Florida Governor Rick Scott today signed Senate Bill 10, Water Resources, by Senator Rob Bradley (R-Fleming Island). The legislation authorizes a significant increase in southern water storage to further the goal of reducing and eventually eliminating harmful discharges from Lake Okeechobee, a priority of Senate President Joe Negron (R-Stuart).
“After twenty years of talking, southern storage is finally becoming a reality,” said President Negron. “We are well on our way to putting the harmful discharges from Lake Okeechobee into the pages of history, instead of the front pages of daily newspapers.”
“I am grateful to Governor Scott for signing this bill into law today, and to my colleagues in the House and Senate for their support. I am particularly thankful for Senator Rob Bradley who tirelessly moved the bill through the legislative process, and to all of my constituents and concerned citizens from around the state who participated in community events and traveled to Tallahassee time and time again to make their voices heard. I would also like to thank Appropriations Chair Jack Latvala for shepherding the bill through the Appropriations Committee and for his longtime commitment to protecting Florida’s environment,” continued President Negron.
“I look forward to the work ahead as we continue to work with Governor Scott and our federal partners to expedite the planning and construction of this critical project,” said President Negron. “Together, we will end the plague of toxic blue-green algae that harms the health of our citizens and destroys our environment and our economy, once and for all.”
Senate Bill 10 expressly prohibits the use of eminent domain, leveraging land already owned by the State of Florida and the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD), land swaps, and purchases, to minimize impacts on agricultural workers while achieving 240,000 to 360,000 acre feet of storage. The legislation also provides grants to establish training programs for agricultural workers.
Senate Bill 10, Water Resources

  • Requires the SFWMD to develop a plan to provide a minimum of 240,000 acre-feet of storage through a deep storage reservoir and water quality treatment features, using the A-2 parcel, land swaps, and purchases. The district may consider alternate configurations using the A-1 parcel if a minimum of 360,000 acre-feet of additional storage can be achieved (60,000 acre-feet currently provided by A-1 FEB).
  • Requires the SFWMD to use DMSTA2 modeling to determine the amount of acreage needed in order to meet water quality standards.
    • Directs the SFWMD to negotiate modifications of lease terms on state and district owned lands to make land available for the reservoir project.
    • Directs SFWMD to negotiate for the acquisition of privately-owned property, if needed for the reservoir project, through purchase or land swap.
    • The bill terminates the current PRIDE work programs, on state owned land using inmate labor for agricultural work, in light of the high unemployment rate in the EAA for these types of jobs. This land would then be available to swap for any privately-owned land needed for the reservoir project, further minimizing any impact on agricultural workers in the EAA.
  • Establishes a number of timelines for achieving milestones for approval of the post?authorization change report and requires reporting to the Legislature.
  • Moves up the date for the EAA reservoir project planning study to commence if the post-authorization report is not submitted for Congressional approval, or Congressional approval is not obtained in accordance with the time frames in the bill.
  • Clarifies that ongoing Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP) projects will continue to receive funding.
  • Authorizes the district to begin planning and discussion with the owners of the C-51 Reservoir project to determine if the state should acquire or enter into a public private partnership for this water storage facility that will add approximately 60,000 acre?feet of storage south of the Lake.
  • Establishes the Everglades Restoration Agricultural Community Training Program in DEO for the purpose of stimulating and supporting training and employment programs, to match state and local training programs with identified job skills associated with non-agricultural employment opportunities in areas of high agricultural unemployment.  The bill expresses the Legislature’s intent to promote the implementation of the Airglades Airport in Hendry County and an inland port in Palm Beach County to create job opportunities in areas of high agricultural unemployment.
  • Establishes a revolving loan fund to provide funding assistance to local governments and water supply entities for the development and construction of water storage facilities.
  • Revises the uses of the Water Protection and Sustainability Program Trust Fund to include the water storage facility revolving loan program.
  • Provides funding for the reservoir projects, including an authorization to bond funds from the Land Acquisition Trust Fund (LATF). The total cost is approximately $1.5 billion, half of which could be paid by the federal government. The bill includes an appropriation of $64 million for the 2017-18 Fiscal Year.
  • Allows for funds not spent on the reservoir projects to be used for other Everglades Restoration projects as provided in Legacy Florida.

Background:
Record rainfall this past year resulted in unseasonably high water levels in Lake Okeechobee, which threatened the integrity of the Herbert Hoover Dike. To maintain safe water levels, the Army Corps of Engineers authorized the release of billions of gallons of water from the Lake to the St. Lucie and Caloosahatchee Rivers. Such freshwater discharges cause significant environmental damage by lowering the salinity levels of the estuaries and introducing pollutants into coastal waters. Due to the discharges this summer, massive amounts of toxic algae that originated in Lake Okeechobee were sent to the estuaries and coastal waterways.
As a result of the high volume discharges, coastal communities experienced enormous harmful algal blooms with devastating impacts not only to the ecology of local waterways, but also to residents, fishermen, and local businesses. The extent and severity of the blooms resulted in Governor Scott declaring a state of emergency in four Florida counties.

Plan to Reduce Harmful Discharges from Lake Okeechobee Heads to Governor Scott

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Legislation Authorizes Major Expansion of Southern Storage

Senate Bill 10, Water Resources, by Senator Rob Bradley (R-Fleming Island) saw final passage in both the Florida Senate and the Florida House of Representatives today. The legislation will now be sent to Florida Governor Rick Scott. Senate Bill 10 authorizes a significant increase in southern water storage to further the goal of reducing and eventually eliminating harmful discharges from Lake Okeechobee, a priority of Senate President Joe Negron (R-Stuart).
“I promised my constituents that we would dramatically expand southern storage by leveraging existing water infrastructure, and utilizing a combination of state, local, and private land. After twenty years of talking about southern storage, this legislation establishes and fully funds a concrete plan to achieve this critical component of the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan in a reasonable amount of time,” said President Negron.
Senate Bill 10 expressly prohibits the use of eminent domain, leveraging land already owned by the State of Florida and the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD), land swaps, and purchases, to minimize impacts on agricultural workers while achieving 240,000 to 360,000 acre feet of storage. The legislation also provides grants to establish training programs for agricultural workers.
“The legislation now advancing to Governor Scott provides a solution to the plague of harmful, polluted discharges and toxic blue-green algae, while making key investments in meaningful economic development to expand workforce training and job opportunities in communities south of the Lake Okeechobee,” said Senator Bradley. “This bill also implements the Constitution by using Amendment 1 funds, funds Florida voters dedicated to improving our environment, to address a critical and ongoing problem that impacts our residents, visitors, business, economy and quality of life.”
“I greatly appreciate the support my colleagues in the Legislature have provided over the last several years as my home community and others across our state have been flooded with billions of gallons of polluted water that destroys our estuaries and harms our local economies. This legislation provides a clear plan to address this plague on our communities in a manner that respects the interests of the agricultural community and private land owners,” continued President Negron.
Senate Bill 10, Water Resources

  • Requires the SFWMD to develop a plan to provide a minimum of 240,000 acre-feet of storage through a deep storage reservoir and water quality treatment features, using the A-2 parcel, land swaps, and purchases. The district may consider alternate configurations using the A-1 parcel if a minimum of 360,000 acre-feet of additional storage can be achieved (60,000 acre-feet currently provided by A-1 FEB).
  • Requires the SFWMD to use DMSTA2 modeling to determine the amount of acreage needed in order to meet water quality standards.
    • Directs the SFWMD to negotiate modifications of lease terms on state and district owned lands to make land available for the reservoir project.
    • Directs SFWMD to negotiate for the acquisition of privately-owned property, if needed for the reservoir project, through purchase or land swap.
    • The bill terminates the current PRIDE work programs, on state owned land using inmate labor for agricultural work, in light of the high unemployment rate in the EAA for these types of jobs. This land would then be available to swap for any privately-owned land needed for the reservoir project, further minimizing any impact on agricultural workers in the EAA.
  • Establishes a number of timelines for achieving milestones for approval of the post?authorization change report and requires reporting to the Legislature.
  • Moves up the date for the EAA reservoir project planning study to commence if the post-authorization report is not submitted for Congressional approval, or Congressional approval is not obtained in accordance with the time frames in the bill.
  • Clarifies that ongoing Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP) projects will continue to receive funding.
  • Authorizes the district to begin planning and discussion with the owners of the C-51 Reservoir project to determine if the state should acquire or enter into a public private partnership for this water storage facility that will add approximately 60,000 acre?feet of storage south of the Lake.
  • Establishes the Everglades Restoration Agricultural Community Training Program in DEO for the purpose of stimulating and supporting training and employment programs, to match state and local training programs with identified job skills associated with non-agricultural employment opportunities in areas of high agricultural unemployment.  The bill expresses the Legislature’s intent to promote the implementation of the Airglades Airport in Hendry County and an inland port in Palm Beach County to create job opportunities in areas of high agricultural unemployment.
  • Establishes a revolving loan fund to provide funding assistance to local governments and water supply entities for the development and construction of water storage facilities.
  • Revises the uses of the Water Protection and Sustainability Program Trust Fund to include the water storage facility revolving loan program.
  • Provides funding for the reservoir projects, including an authorization to bond funds from the Land Acquisition Trust Fund (LATF). The total cost is approximately $1.5 billion, half of which could be paid by the federal government. The bill includes an appropriation of $64 million from the LATF for the 2017-18 Fiscal Year.
  • Allows for funds not spent on the reservoir projects to be used for other Everglades Restoration projects as provided in Legacy Florida.

Background:
Record rainfall this past year resulted in unseasonably high water levels in Lake Okeechobee, which threatened the integrity of the Herbert Hoover Dike. To maintain safe water levels, the Army Corps of Engineers authorized the release of billions of gallons of water from the Lake to the St. Lucie and Caloosahatchee Rivers. Such freshwater discharges cause significant environmental damage by lowering the salinity levels of the estuaries and introducing pollutants into coastal waters. Due to the discharges this summer, massive amounts of toxic algae that originated in Lake Okeechobee were sent to the estuaries and coastal waterways.
As a result of the high volume discharges, coastal communities experienced enormous harmful algal blooms with devastating impacts not only to the ecology of local waterways, but also to residents, fishermen, and local businesses. The extent and severity of the blooms resulted in Governor Scott declaring a state of emergency in four Florida counties.

Time to Take Immediate Action on Everglades Says Florida TaxWatch

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TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Continued inaction on the Everglades problem will be a detriment to taxpayers and the future of the state, says the latest report from Florida TaxWatch, the state’s premier government watchdog group. The organization finds that if the state does not find a solution to the algae blooms and other problems from diversion of water from Lake Okeechobee, the state, tourism industry, and the overall economy would lose millions in revenues, not to mention the negative health and environmental impacts.
“Our environment is critical to our state, both as an economic driver and to keeping our flora and fauna thriving. If we continue to ignore the problem flowing from Lake Okeechobee, the state will suffer,” said Florida TaxWatch President and CEO Dominic M. Calabro. “Local economies will suffer as algae spreads throughout the once-pristine waterways, property values will plummet and tourists will stop coming. These are all very real outcomes if we don’t find a solution.”
For decades, the Everglades have withstood expanding development, increased agricultural pressure and significant changes in natural systems. The intense development of Central and South Florida has increased the timing of water runoff and the levels of nutrients and pollution in its waters.
This major crisis affects both the natural systems and those who depend on them, as water is discharged from Lake Okeechobee away from the Everglades and diverted west into the Caloosahatchee River basin and east into the St. Lucie River basin. This results in the aforementioned algae blooms, leading to significant problems for the affected regions.
Read the full report: http://www.floridataxwatch.org/library/evergladesinaction

Gov. Scott Urges Florida Legislature to Fund $200 Million to Help Fix Herbert Hoover Dike

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Governor Rick Scott today urged the Florida Legislature to include $200 million in state funding to its budget to help fix the federally operated Herbert Hoover Dike and solve water issues around Lake Okeechobee. Governor Scott also asked the Legislature to pass a good bill which address the problems surrounding Lake Okeechobee and benefits Florida’s environment.

Senate Passes Plan to Reduce Harmful Discharges from Lake Okeechobee

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Legislation Authorizes Major Expansion of Southern Storage

The Florida Senate today passed Senate Bill 10, Water Resources, by Senator Rob Bradley (R-Fleming Island). The legislation authorizes a significant increase in southern water storage to further the goal of reducing and eventually eliminating harmful discharges from Lake Okeechobee, a priority of Senate President Joe Negron (R-Stuart).
“For too long toxic blue-green algae has been harming the health of both our citizens and our economy. This legislation provides a clear plan to address this plague in a manner that benefits communities across South Florida,” said President Negron. “Senate Bill 10 will make an important difference to families, communities, and the economy east and west of the Lake, as well as southern communities that have waited too long for additional investments in meaningful economic development to expand workforce training and job opportunities.”
“Our goal was to explore all available options to deliver this much-needed and long-anticipated storage south of Lake Okeechobee,” said Senator Bradley. “These algal blooms have occurred before and will occur again unless high volume discharges from Lake Okeechobee are stopped and pollution in the Lake Okeechobee basin is abated. Algal blooms are not simply an unsightly nuisance for residents and tourists. They bring real health risks to humans and wildlife and result in severe economic damage to local businesses.”
Senate Bill 10 expressly prohibits the use of eminent domain, leveraging land already owned by the State of Florida and the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD), land swaps, and purchases, to minimize impacts on agricultural workers while achieving 240,000 to 360,000 acre feet of storage. The legislation also provides grants to establish training programs for agricultural workers.
“I promised my constituents that we would dramatically expand southern storage by leveraging existing water infrastructure, and utilizing a combination of state, local, and private land, in a manner that respects the interests of the agricultural community and private land owners. After twenty years of talking about southern storage, this legislation establishes a concrete plan to achieve this critical component of the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan in a reasonable amount of time,” continued President Negron.
“Nearly half way through the original timeline of CERP, less than 20 percent of the estimated total cost has been funded. It is time to invest in additional projects needed to complete the plan and that is exactly what the voters have been trying to tell us in passing Amendment 1,” continued Senator Bradley. “This legislation demonstrations fidelity to the Constitution by using Amendment 1 funds, the very funds Florida voters dedicated to improving our environment, to address a critical and ongoing problem that impacts our residents, visitors, business, economy and quality of life.”
Senate Bill 10, Water Resources
•            Requires the SFWMD to develop a plan to provide a minimum of 240,000 acre-feet of storage through a deep storage reservoir and water quality treatment features, using the A-2 parcel, land swaps, and purchases. The district may consider alternate configurations using the A-1 parcel if a minimum of 360,000 acre-feet of additional storage can be achieved (60,000 acre-feet currently provided by A-1 FEB).
•            Requires the SFWMD to use DMSTA2 modeling to determine the amount of acreage needed in order to meet water quality standards.
o            Directs the SFWMD to negotiate modifications of lease terms on state and district owned lands to make land available for the reservoir project.
o            Directs SFWMD to negotiate for the acquisition of privately-owned property, if needed for the reservoir project, through purchase or land swap.
o            The bill terminates the current PRIDE work programs, on state owned land using inmate labor for agricultural work, in light of the high unemployment rate in the EAA for these types of jobs. This land would then be available to swap for any privately-owned land needed for the reservoir project, further minimizing any impact on agricultural workers in the EAA.
•            Establishes a number of timelines for achieving milestones for approval of the post authorization change report and requires reporting to the Legislature.
•            Moves up the date for the EAA reservoir project planning study to commence if the post-authorization report is not submitted for Congressional approval, or Congressional approval is not obtained in accordance with the time frames in the bill.
•            Clarifies that ongoing Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP) projects will continue to receive funding.
•            Authorizes the district to begin planning and discussion with the owners of the C-51 Reservoir project to determine if the state should acquire or enter into a public private partnership for this water storage facility that will add approximately 60,000 acre feet of storage south of the Lake.
•            Establishes the Everglades Restoration Agricultural Community Training Program in DEO for the purpose of stimulating and supporting training and employment programs, to match state and local training programs with identified job skills associated with non-agricultural employment opportunities in areas of high agricultural unemployment.  The bill expresses the Legislature’s intent to promote the implementation of the Airglades Airport in Hendry County and an inland port in Palm Beach County to create job opportunities in areas of high agricultural unemployment.
•            Establishes a revolving loan fund to provide funding assistance to local governments and water supply entities for the development and construction of water storage facilities.
•            Revises the uses of the Water Protection and Sustainability Program Trust Fund to include the water storage facility revolving loan program.
•            Provides funding for the reservoir projects, including an authorization to bond funds from the Land Acquisition Trust Fund (LATF). The total cost is approximately $1.5 billion, half of which could be paid by the federal government. The bill includes an appropriation of $64 million from the LATF for the 2017-18 Fiscal Year.
•            Allows for funds not spent on the reservoir projects to be used for other Everglades Restoration projects as provided in Legacy Florida.
Background:
Record rainfall this past year resulted in unseasonably high water levels in Lake Okeechobee, which threatened the integrity of the Herbert Hoover Dike. To maintain safe water levels, the Army Corps of Engineers authorized the release of billions of gallons of water from the Lake to the St. Lucie and Caloosahatchee Rivers. Such freshwater discharges cause significant environmental damage by lowering the salinity levels of the estuaries and introducing pollutants into coastal waters. Due to the discharges this summer, massive amounts of toxic algae that originated in Lake Okeechobee were sent to the estuaries and coastal waterways.
As a result of the high volume discharges, coastal communities experienced enormous harmful algal blooms with devastating impacts not only to the ecology of local waterways, but also to residents, fishermen, and local businesses. The extent and severity of the blooms resulted in Governor Scott declaring a state of emergency in four Florida counties.
For more information, please visit www.FLSenate.gov.

Senate Passes Plan to Reduce Harmful Discharges from Lake Okeechobee

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Legislation Authorizes Major Expansion of Southern Storage

The Florida Senate today passed Senate Bill 10, Water Resources, by Senator Rob Bradley (R-Fleming Island). The legislation authorizes a significant increase in southern water storage to further the goal of reducing and eventually eliminating harmful discharges from Lake Okeechobee, a priority of Senate President Joe Negron (R-Stuart).
“For too long toxic blue-green algae has been harming the health of both our citizens and our economy. This legislation provides a clear plan to address this plague in a manner that benefits communities across South Florida,” said President Negron. “Senate Bill 10 will make an important difference to families, communities, and the economy east and west of the Lake, as well as southern communities that have waited too long for additional investments in meaningful economic development to expand workforce training and job opportunities.”
“Our goal was to explore all available options to deliver this much-needed and long-anticipated storage south of Lake Okeechobee,” said Senator Bradley. “These algal blooms have occurred before and will occur again unless high volume discharges from Lake Okeechobee are stopped and pollution in the Lake Okeechobee basin is abated. Algal blooms are not simply an unsightly nuisance for residents and tourists. They bring real health risks to humans and wildlife and result in severe economic damage to local businesses.”
Senate Bill 10 expressly prohibits the use of eminent domain, leveraging land already owned by the State of Florida and the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD), land swaps, and purchases, to minimize impacts on agricultural workers while achieving 240,000 to 360,000 acre-feet of storage. The legislation also provides grants to establish training programs for agricultural workers.
“I promised my constituents that we would dramatically expand southern storage by leveraging existing water infrastructure, and utilizing a combination of state, local, and private land, in a manner that respects the interests of the agricultural community and private land owners. After twenty years of talking about southern storage, this legislation establishes a concrete plan to achieve this critical component of the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan in a reasonable amount of time,” continued President Negron.
“Nearly half way through the original timeline of CERP, less than 20 percent of the estimated total cost has been funded. It is time to invest in additional projects needed to complete the plan and that is exactly what the voters have been trying to tell us in passing Amendment 1,” continued Senator Bradley. “This legislation demonstrations fidelity to the Constitution by using Amendment 1 funds, the very funds Florida voters dedicated to improving our environment, to address a critical and ongoing problem that impacts our residents, visitors, business, economy and quality of life.”

Senate Bill 10, Water Resources

  • Requires the SFWMD to develop a plan to provide a minimum of 240,000 acre-feet of storage through a deep storage reservoir and water quality treatment features, using the A-2 parcel, land swaps, and purchases. The district may consider alternate configurations using the A-1 parcel if a minimum of 360,000 acre-feet of additional storage can be achieved (60,000 acre-feet currently provided by A-1 FEB).
  • Requires the SFWMD to use DMSTA2 modeling to determine the amount of acreage needed in order to meet water quality standards.
    • Directs the SFWMD to negotiate modifications of lease terms on state and district owned lands to make land available for the reservoir project.
    • Directs SFWMD to negotiate for the acquisition of privately-owned property, if needed for the reservoir project, through purchase or land swap.
    • The bill terminates the current PRIDE work programs, on state owned land using inmate labor for agricultural work, in light of the high unemployment rate in the EAA for these types of jobs. This land would then be available to swap for any privately-owned land needed for the reservoir project, further minimizing any impact on agricultural workers in the EAA.
  • Establishes a number of timelines for achieving milestones for approval of the post?authorization change report and requires reporting to the Legislature.
  • Moves up the date for the EAA reservoir project planning study to commence if the post-authorization report is not submitted for Congressional approval, or Congressional approval is not obtained in accordance with the time frames in the bill.
  • Clarifies that ongoing Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP) projects will continue to receive funding.
  • Authorizes the district to begin planning and discussion with the owners of the C-51 Reservoir project to determine if the state should acquire or enter into a public private partnership for this water storage facility that will add approximately 60,000 acre-feet of storage south of the Lake.
  • Establishes the Everglades Restoration Agricultural Community Training Program in DEO for the purpose of stimulating and supporting training and employment programs, to match state and local training programs with identified job skills associated with non-agricultural employment opportunities in areas of high agricultural unemployment.  The bill expresses the Legislature’s intent to promote the implementation of the Airglades Airport in Hendry County and an inland port in Palm Beach County to create job opportunities in areas of high agricultural unemployment.
  • Establishes a revolving loan fund to provide funding assistance to local governments and water supply entities for the development and construction of water storage facilities.
  • Revises the uses of the Water Protection and Sustainability Program Trust Fund to include the water storage facility revolving loan program.
  • Provides funding for the reservoir projects, including an authorization to bond funds from the Land Acquisition Trust Fund (LATF). The total cost is approximately $1.5 billion, half of which could be paid by the federal government. The bill includes an appropriation of $64 million from the LATF for the 2017-18 Fiscal Year.
  • Allows for funds not spent on the reservoir projects to be used for other Everglades Restoration projects as provided in Legacy Florida.

Background:

Record rainfall this past year resulted in unseasonably high water levels in Lake Okeechobee, which threatened the integrity of the Herbert Hoover Dike. To maintain safe water levels, the Army Corps of Engineers authorized the release of billions of gallons of water from the Lake to the St. Lucie and Caloosahatchee Rivers. Such freshwater discharges cause significant environmental damage by lowering the salinity levels of the estuaries and introducing pollutants into coastal waters. Due to the discharges this summer, massive amounts of toxic algae that originated in Lake Okeechobee were sent to the estuaries and coastal waterways.
As a result of the high volume discharges, coastal communities experienced enormous harmful algal blooms with devastating impacts not only to the ecology of local waterways, but also to residents, fishermen, and local businesses. The extent and severity of the blooms resulted in Governor Scott declaring a state of emergency in four Florida counties.

President Negron Discusses Plan for Major Water Storage Expansion

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Senator Rob Bradley (R-Fleming Island) today filed an amendment to Senate Bill 10, Water Resources, which furthers the goal of reducing and eventually eliminating harmful discharges from Lake Okeechobee. The legislation continues to prohibit the use of eminent domain, leveraging land already owned by the State of Florida and the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD), land swaps, and purchases, to minimize impacts on agricultural workers while achieving 240,000 to 360,000 acre feet of storage. The amendment also provides grants to establish training programs for agricultural workers.
“I promised my constituents that we would dramatically expand southern storage by leveraging existing water infrastructure, and utilizing a combination of state, local, and private land, in a manner that respects the interests of the agricultural community and private land owners,” said Senate President Joe Negron (R-Stuart). “This legislation will ensure we achieve that goal and provide measureable results in a reasonable amount of time.”
“We have incorporated the feedback gained from months of conversations with the agricultural community, scientists, business owners, community advocates, and others to develop a meaningful solution to address the plague of harmful, polluted discharges, while at the same time taking steps to improve the economic circumstances of our fellow citizens who live in communities south of the Lake,” said Senator Bradley.
“The status quo is not acceptable for anyone. The harmful discharges from Lake Okeechobee are causing horrible impacts to the health of both our citizens and our economy East and West of the Lake. Meanwhile, communities like Pahokee, Belle Glade, and South Bay are facing extremely high levels of unemployment, while a great many families are living in poverty,” continued President Negron. “Strategic southern storage addresses the environmental and economic challenges facing communities, families, and businesses on all sides of the Lake.”
The Strike-All Amendment to SB 10/PCS 601444 does the following:

  • Revises the Everglades Agricultural Area (EAA) Reservoir Project to require the SFWMD to develop a plan to provide a minimum of 240,000 acre-feet of storage through a deep storage reservoir and water quality treatment features, using the A-2 parcel, land swaps, and purchases. The district may consider alternate configurations using the A-1 parcel if a minimum of 360,000 acre-feet of additional storage can be achieved (60,000 acre-feet currently provided by A-1 FEB).
  • Requires the SFWMD to use DMSTA2 modeling to determine the amount of acreage needed in order to meet water quality standards.
    • Directs the SFWMD to negotiate modifications of lease terms on state and district owned lands to make land available for the reservoir project.
    • Directs SFWMD to negotiate for the acquisition of privately owned property if needed for the reservoir project through purchase or land swap.
    • The bill terminates the current PRIDE work programs on state owned land using inmate labor for agricultural work in light of the high unemployment rate in the EAA for these types of jobs. This land would then be available to swap for any privately owned land needed for the reservoir project further minimizing any impact on agricultural workers in the EAA.
  • Establishes a number of timelines for achieving milestones for approval of the post?authorization change report and requires reporting to the Legislature.
  • Moves up the date for the EAA reservoir project planning study to commence if Congressional approval of the post-authorization change report has not occurred.
  • Clarifies that ongoing Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP) projects will continue to receive funding.
  • Authorizes the district to begin planning and discussion with the owners of the C-51 Reservoir project to determine if the state should acquire or enter into a public private partnership for this water storage facility that will add approximately 60,000 acre?feet of storage south of the Lake.
  • Establishes the Everglades Restoration Agricultural Community Training Program in DEO for the purpose of stimulating and supporting training and employment programs, to match state and local training programs with identified job skills associated with non-agricultural employment opportunities in areas of high agricultural unemployment.  The bill expresses the Legislature’s intent to promote the implementation of the Airglades Airport in Hendry County and an inland port in Palm Beach County to create job opportunities in areas of high agricultural unemployment.
  • Establishes a revolving loan fund to provide funding assistance to local governments and water supply entities for the development and construction of water storage facilities.
  • Revises the uses of the Water Protection and Sustainability Program Trust Fund to include the water storage facility revolving loan program.
  • Provides funding for the reservoir projects, including an authorization to bond funds from the Land Acquisition Trust Fund (LATF). The total cost is reduced from $2.4 billion to approximately $1.5 billion, half of which could be paid by the federal government. The amendment includes an appropriation of $64 million from the LATF for the 2017-18 Fiscal Year.
  • Allows for funds not spent on the reservoir projects to be used for other Everglades Restoration projects as provided in Legacy Florida.

Background:
Record rainfall this past year resulted in unseasonably high water levels in Lake Okeechobee, which threatened the integrity of the Herbert Hoover Dike. To maintain safe water levels, the Army Corps of Engineers authorized the release of billions of gallons of water from the Lake to the St. Lucie and Caloosahatchee Rivers. Such freshwater discharges cause significant environmental damage by lowering the salinity levels of the estuaries and introducing pollutants into coastal waters. Due to the discharges this summer, massive amounts of toxic algae that originated in Lake Okeechobee were sent to the estuaries and coastal waterways.
As a result of the high volume discharges, coastal communities experienced enormous harmful algal blooms with devastating impacts not only to the ecology of local waterways, but also to residents, fishermen, and local businesses. The extent and severity of the blooms resulted in Governor Scott declaring a state of emergency in four Florida counties.
The amendment will be considered at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, April 5, when Senate Bill 10 is heard in the Senate Committee on Appropriations.

Sarasota’s Mizell Wins T-H Marine FLW Bass Fishing League Gator Division Event on Lake Okeechobee

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Fort Lauderdale’s Bartlett tops Co-angler field

3.27.2017 JessieMizell

Jessie Mizell of Sarasota, Florida, won the T-H Marine FLW Bass Fishing League (BFL) Gator Division event on Lake Okeechobee Saturday with a five-bass limit totaling 23-pounds even. For his victory, Mizell pocketed $4,915.

“I began the day fishing near Bird Island, but the wind picked up and muddied the water,” said Mizell, who earned his second career-win on Lake Okeechobee in BFL competition. “I stayed there for a while and caught a couple of small ones. By 1 p.m., I knew I needed to change things up.

“I went to a little cove by the North Shore that was out of the wind and fished really slow in the calm water,” continued Mizell. “I focused on some small lilypads. I went back and forth along a 100-yard stretch and caught my limit by 3:30 p.m.”

Mizell said he used a Red Ear-colored Spro Dean Rojas Bronzeye Poppin’ Frog 60 on a 7-foot, 11-inch medium-heavy 13 Fishing rod to craft his limit.

“I could see a slight wake under the frog that most people wouldn’t notice,” said Mizell. “I paused and let the bait sit for about 10 or 15 seconds. When I moved it, they’d eat it.”

The top 10 boaters finished the tournament in:

               1st:          Jessie Mizell, Sarasota, Fla., five bass, 23-0, $4,915

               2nd:         Brianne McMillan, Belle Glade, Fla., five bass, 22-4, $2,658

               3rd:          Jim Hurlock Jr., West Palm Beach, Fla., five bass, 19-9, $1,640

               4th:          Cody Davis, Deerfield Beach, Fla., five bass, 18-9, $1,147

               5th:          Nicholas Hoinig, Delray Beach, Fla., five bass, 18-8, $1,083

               6th:          Mike Surman, Boca Raton, Fla., five bass, 18-6, $1,201

               7th:          Dustin Royer, Davie, Fla., five bass, 18-5, $819

               8th:          Jesus Villegas, Virginia Gardens, Fla., five bass, 16-12, $737

               9th:          Frank Mackin, New Port Richey, Fla., five bass, 16-9, $1,405

               10th:        Kyle Monti, Okeechobee, Fla., five bass, 16-4, $573

Complete results can be found at FLWFishing.com.  

Mackin caught the heaviest bass of the tournament, a fish weighing 8 pounds, 4 ounces, which earned him the day’s Boater Big Bass award of $750.

Brandon Bartlett of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, weighed in five bass totaling 19 pounds, 9 ounces, Saturday to win the Co-angler Division and the top prize of $2,833.

The top 10 co-anglers were:

               1st:          Brandon Bartlett, Fort Lauderdale, Fla., five bass, 19-9, $2,833

               2nd:         Matthew Wolfe Jr., Orlando, Fla., five bass, 15-7, $1,429

               3rd:          Fernando Rosa, Plantation, Fla., five bass, 13-9, $817

               4th:          Richard Mongiovi, Indian Lake Estates, Fla., five bass, 12-10, $573

               5th:          Garrett Carter, Middleburg, Fla., five bass, 12-8, $471

               5th:          John Hendry, Crystal River, Fla., five bass, 12-8, $471

               7th:          Michael Carter, Bokeelia, Fla., five bass, 12-2, $460

               8th:          Andrew Pulliam, Spring Hill, Fla., five bass, 11-13, $369

               9th:          Robert Alton, Fort Pierce, Fla., five bass, 11-11, $328

               10th:        Hayden Scharf, De Leon Springs, Fla., five bass, 11-10, $287

Bartlett also caught the biggest bass among Co-angler Division anglers, a fish weighing 7 pounds, 9 ounces. The catch earned him the day’s Co-angler Big Bass award of $375.

The top 45 boaters and co-anglers in the region based on point standings, along with the five winners in each qualifying event, will be entered in the Oct. 19-21 BFL Regional Championship on Lake Lanier in Gainesville, Georgia. Boaters will compete for a top award of a Ranger Z518C with a 200-horsepower Evinrude outboard and $20,000, while co-anglers will fish for a new Ranger Z518C with a 200-horsepower Evinrude outboard.

The 2017 BFL is a 24-division circuit devoted to weekend anglers, with 128 tournaments throughout the season, five qualifying events in each division. The top 45 boaters and co-anglers from each division, along with the five winners of the qualifying events, will advance to one of six regional tournaments where they are competing to finish in the top six, which then qualifies them for one of the longest-running championships in all of competitive bass fishing – the BFL All-American. Top performers in the BFL can move up to the Costa FLW Series or even the FLW Tour.

For regular updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow the BFL on Facebook at Facebook.com/FLWFishing and on Twitter at Twitter.com/FLWFishing.

About FLW
FLW is the world’s largest tournament-fishing organization, providing anglers of all skill levels the opportunity to compete for millions in prize money in 2017 across five tournament circuits. Headquartered in Benton, Kentucky, with offices in Minneapolis, FLW conducts more than 274 bass-fishing tournaments annually across the United States and sanctions tournaments in Canada, China, Mexico, South Africa and South Korea. FLW tournament fishing can be seen on the Emmy-nominated “FLW” television show, broadcast to more than 564 million households worldwide, while FLW Bass Fishing magazine delivers cutting-edge tips from top pros. For more information visit FLWFishing.com and follow FLW at Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube and Snapchat.