November 8, 2010
On Nov. 10, PURRE executives and staff will attend the meeting of the South Florida Water Management District governing board as they once again hold in their hands the fate of the Caloosahatchee and its estuary -- the lifeblood of Lee County's $2.6 billion tourism industry, the engine for our economy, and the basis for our unique and wonderful quality of life.
The issue can be confusing because we complain bitterly about too much Lake Okeechobee water fouling the Caloosahatchee during the wet season. And that is true.But during the dry season, the salt content rises in the river and its estuary, and they actually need some fresh water from the lake to restore the proper salinity level.
But the SFWMD is about to cut off completely that fresh water supply to the Caloosahatchee and estuary, severely degrading the water quality and killing all the life within it. Meanwhile, other interests will suffer little to no harm.
We're talking about what are called "minimum flow levels," meaning the least amount of lake water the river and estuary need to survive. The level was set in 2001 but all the scientific studies since then have shown that at least half-again as much fresh water is actually needed to prevent significant harm. Clearly, the minimum levels must be raised (from 300 cubic-feet-per-second to at least 450-cubic-feet-per-second).
The Conservancy of Southwest Florida filed a formal request asking the district to update the Caloosahatchee minimum flow level. The SFWMD staff has recommended the governing board deny the petition, using the usual exuses: "there isn't enough science, it would delay other priorities, it isn't needed." None of these excuses are true.
So tomorrow, November 10, at 12:45, PURRE will join many advocacy groups, environmental groups, chambers of commerce, businesses, tourism groups, municipalities, elected officials, and concerned citizens to demand protection for the Caloosahatchee and its estuary, as well as the environment and economy that depend on it.
The public is welcome. The meeting takes place at the Student Union Ballroom at Florida Gulf Coast University, 10501 FGCU Boulevard South, Ft. Myers, FL 33965; telephone 239-590-1000 or 800-590-3428.
If you would like to email the SFWMD governing board members, here's how:
Eric Buermann: ebuermann@sfwmd.gov; Sandy Batchelor: sbatchel@sfwmd.gov; Sandy Estenoz: sestenoz@sfwmd.gov Kevin Powers: kpowers@sfwmd.gov; Jerry Montgomery: jmontgom@sfwmd.gov; Joe Collins: jcollins@sfwmd.gov; Charles Dauray: cdauray@sfwmd.gov; Glenn Waldman: gwaldman@sfwmd.gov.
Thank you for your time and attention. We will keep you posted.
Sincerely,
Michael J. Valiquette Emilie Alfino
Chairman of the Board Executive Director
