If Lee County wants to help solve the harmful estuary issues, they need better representation on the 10-county coalition for responsible management of Lake Okeechobee.

At the most recent coalition meeting, Lee Commissioner Ray Judah acted like a robot, programmed to say only “Send more dirty water south,” no matter what facts were presented.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers analyzed a “spillway” through the dike around the lake to move water south. The idea was rejected because it significantly reduced storage capacity in the lake, which would increase discharges to the estuaries. It was further shown that a spillway would completely destroy Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan projects already under way to clean up the Everglades.

Ray Judah responded by again asking the Corps to explain why they couldn’t send more water south.

Next, the South Florida Water Management District gave a detailed technical analysis on a southern flow-way. Dr. Richard Punnett, who did the comprehensive study and analysis of a flow-way concept for CERP, explained that while it sounded good in concept, the regional water system has changed too drastically for a flow-way to work today.

In layman’s terms, during wet years, the water conservation areas and Everglades National Park were already too wet, and water levels above regulation schedule. No additional water could be moved south during wet years, and during dry years, there would be no water for the flow-way.

Taking water from the existing system during average to dry years would worsen drought effects on everyone. Rather than a flow-way, experts agree what is needed is managed storage, particularly north of Lake O, where the water originates. Judah again asked why they couldn’t send more water south. Rather than help find actual solutions, Judah cannot see past his obsession with flooding sugar cane fields.
Thankfully, eight of 10 commissioners understood the technical presentations and did not endorse Judah’s attempt to force a flow-way that would not work. We need systemwide solutions based on real science, not on Judah’s political science.

ROBERT E. COKER
Senior vice president,
U.S. Sugar Corp., Clewiston