The South Florida Water Management District Governing Board held its monthly meeting at Florida Gulf Coast University today. The daylong meeting was the first in Fort Myers since the board was re-formed by Governor Ron DeSantis nine months ago, and it was the first time the new board has met at full strength with all nine members.
The Board is now at full strength thanks to the Governor’s recent nomination of Benjamin Butler, who was sworn in at the meeting.
Butler is manager of Butler Oaks Farm, an 80-year-old family owned dairy farm in the small town of Lorida, northwest of Lake Okeechobee. His grandfather once served on the Governing Board, and his father Robert administered the oath of office to him at the meeting.
“I want to thank my family for coming and supporting me through this. I want to thank dad for swearing me in, and representing grandpa – I think that was neat.”
The meeting was attended by about 200 people, including about 50 Clewiston High School students, who stood at the back of the room, some holding signs advocating for clean water in Lake Okeechobee.
Olivia Williams is a senior at Clewiston High, and vice president of the Clewiston FFA – or Future Farmers of America – chapter. She said her future, and the futures of many others, depend on a healthy Lake O.
“Growing up I vividly remember driving to Roland Martin’s Marina to go boating with my family. It would be a shame if future generations never get the opportunity to enjoy the lake like I have. I truly support the science based solution to the water issues impacting Lake Okoeechobee and both of Florida’s coasts. Because I believe that future generations need to enjoy the lake. I strongly encourage the district to slow the flow to the lake now.”
Creating water storage options north of the lake came up a number of times during the meeting, including by Republican State Senator Gayle Harrell of Stuart, who said she’d like to see Congress add funding for that to the 2020 Water Resources Development Act.
Board members also got updates on overall water and ecological conditions, and heard presentations about ways to move water south through Shark River Slough, which is essential for getting clean water down to Florida Bay.
You can watch the meeting in its entirety on the District's website.
