A document showing how the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan is doing has been released. The agencies involved are looking for your feedback.
The US Army Corps of Engineers’ and South Florida Water Managers’ 2014 system status report is open for public comment until April 29th. It evaluates data that determines if everglades restoration goals are being met. It also provides input for a report to Congress next year – one that’s required every five years.
The report says south Florida was drier than normal from 2009 to 2013 resulting in fewer discharges and higher salinities in estuaries and other ecosystems. This damaged sea grasses, oysters and other things affected by high salinity. And it says Florida Bay has gotten worse since 2009 with lots of dead sea grass.
Dr. Susan Gray, chief environmental scientist at the South Florida Water Management District, said the information helps them make decisions.
“Are we on the right path, are we building the right projects, are we putting them in the right places? That’s the longer view,” said Gray. “On a shorter view – are we operating the best that we can, are we getting water to where it’s needed and are we seeing the rebound in conditions that we hope to see in the ecosystem.”
Grey said not surprisingly some conditions continue to degrade because they haven’t been able to put projects in as quickly as they would like. She said it’s important to take note of that when seeking to get projects funded.
Grey invites people to look at the report and to offer their ideas via email to 2014ssrcomments@evergladesplan.org,
Through the mail to:
Andy LoSchiavo, PD-ES Patti Gorman
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers South Florida Water Management District
P.O. Box 4970 3301 Gun Club Road
Jacksonville, FL 32232-0019 West Palm Beach, FL 33406
Or at these meetings:
Monday, April 21: 4:45 - 5:45 p.m.
Wertheim Conservatory, Room 130, Florida International University, 11200 S.W. 8th Street, Miami, FL
Web Meeting Address: https://www.webmeeting.att.com
Meeting/Call-In Number: (877) 873-8017; Access Code: 8543900; Security: 1234
Wednesday, April 23: 1 - 2:30 p.m.
Sugden Welcome Center, Room 108, Florida Gulf Coast University,10501 FGCU Blvd. South, Fort Myers, FL
Web Meeting Address: https://www.webmeeting.att.com
Meeting/Call-In Number: (877) 873-8017; Access Code: 8543900; Security: 1234