For years, the Army Corps of Engineers has periodically released waters from Lake Okeechobee, both east and west. However, environmental regulations concerning water have been significantly relaxed in recent years, resulting in Lake Okeechobee becoming "nutrient rich," or more accurately, over-saturated with fertilizers, notably phosphorous and nitrogen. It arrives to the Lake from agricultural and residential run offs, from farming and developments around Orlando.
Never before on the East and West coasts of south Florida have we experienced such prolonged and devastating consequences from these continued releases from the Lake. Dead sea turtles, dolphins, manatees and hundreds of thousands of tons of other marine life, from the tiniest baitfish to horseshoe crabs!
And soon, the baby turtles will be leaving their nests and entering the waters, so polluted that no life can be sustained any longer. And yet, the Army Corps of Engineers announced today that the releases from the Lake are tripling!
We, the undersigned, demand immediately that those areas that feed into Lake Okeechobee be prohibited from utilizing any fertilizers containing phosphorous and nitrogen, and that they cease being able to use well water (both shallow and deep), that instead - water from Lake Okeechobee, so rich in fertilizer waste, will be siphoned into tankers and trucked back up to the farms, resorts and residential areas from whence it came. That this water will be used to water AND fertilize those places until such time that the water in Lake Okeechobee clears.
This is one of many possible solutions, and in particular achieves the following:
1) stops immediately the releases of water from Lake Okeechobee, whose consequences are proving fatal;
2) provides another resource to maintain farms, residential and resort areas;
3) provides new employment;
4) allows the Army Corps of Engineers necessary opportunity to repair the dam, and
5) attacks the problem at its source!
Please sign and share with people you know who are being affected by the "green slime" in the East or the "red tide" in the west, and who care about Florida's unique and diverse aquatic life and lifestyle.
Suggestions for other remedies most welcome.
