FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Aug. 7, 2013
DEP, FWC, DOH AND SFWMD WORKING TOGETHER IN
THE ST. LUCIE BASIN
~Efforts must balance
flood control, navigation, water supply, water quality and the overall
ecological health of waterbodies ~
TALLAHASSEE – The Florida Department of
Environmental Protection, Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Department of Health and South Florida Water Management District are working together to address the complex environmental
and public health issues affecting the St. Lucie River and Estuary, Indian
River Lagoon and Lake Okeechobee. The agencies, along with other state and local partners are
investing hundreds of millions of dollars to balance flood control, navigation,
water supply, water quality and the overall ecological health of these
waterbodies.
DEP continues
its restoration efforts for the treasure coast. In July, the Department announced
the adoption of the first restoration plan for the St. Lucie River and Estuary
with local governments already investing $230 million to address stormwater
runoff in particular. Under Governor Scott’s leadership, the Department also
set the first restoration roadmap for the Indian River Lagoon. The three
restoration plans for the Lagoon account for more than $300 million invested or
to be invested in restoration projects. Stakeholders in the area have completed
or will complete hundreds of projects over the next five years.
“These restoration plans and
collaborative commitments illustrate what can be accomplished when the state
invests wisely to support and supplement Department and water management
district restoration programs,” said Department Secretary Herschel T. Vinyard
Jr. “Much more needs to be done, but these projects can pave the way to
restoration while we continue to gather the data and information needed to
guide future efforts.”
With Lake Okeechobee’s water level continuing to rise from months of
above-average rainfall, the South Florida Water Management District is taking
action to capture and store water throughout the flood control system. In
addition to using regional public projects to store excess water, the District
is working with property owners to retain water on their land rather than drain
it, to accept and detain regional runoff, or do both. Holding water on these
lands is one tool to help reduce the amount of water flowing into Lake
Okeechobee and/or discharged to the St. Lucie Estuary during the current high
water conditions throughout South Florida.
The recent
development of an algal bloom in the St. Lucie Estuary has highlighted the complexity
and unique challenges these ecosystems present. South Florida Water Management
District meteorologists report the wettest April through July period on record
in South Florida since 1932. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, which
manages the level of Lake Okeechobee with input from stakeholders including the
District, has been making regulatory releases. The heavy influx of fresh water
into the St. Lucie basin at this time of year is a primary reason for the type
of bloom currently occurring over a significant segment of the estuary.
DEP deployed staff to sample the algae and current water quality
conditions in three locations in the St. Lucie basin last week. Initial tests
confirmed a bloom of potential toxin-producing cyanobacteria. DEP’s
laboratory in Tallahassee conducted additional analyses of the samples. The results received Tuesday confirmed the presence of
microcystin (toxin). These results have been shared with the Department
of Health and the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. This data,
along with different types of investigations by the Department of Health and
the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, will inform both short- and long-term strategies to protect public health and the environment.
The area
remains under a precautionary advisory by the Department of Health in Martin
County and residents are encouraged to follow that guidance and stay advised to
any current advisory conditions.
"People need to know that they
can become sick or experience respiratory problems from swimming in or coming
in contact with the affected waters,” said State Surgeon General and Secretary
of Health Dr. John Armstrong. “Floridians should listen closely to local health
advisories to keep their families safe.”
In addition, DOH officials urge people
to not allow their pets to swim or drink in or near algae blooms. Avoid eating
fish harvested from areas near or in the blooms. Some people who are very
sensitive to the algae may develop a rash. If you do come in contact with
affected waters, wash with soap and water right away. As always, if you
experience an illness, please see your health care provider immediately.
The Florida
Fish and Wildlife Commission’s Research Institute is continuing regular
monitoring of fish and wildlife in the area and working with our state and
federal partners to gather and analyze current data. Fish kills can occur due to low dissolved
oxygen in the water, which can be caused by algal blooms, as well as high
temperatures and extended periods of cloudy, rainy weather. Although cyanobacteria
blooms can occur at any time of year, they usually take place during summer or
early fall. They are influenced by light, nutrients, and temperature.
“This is a complex issue that
involves several eco-systems and the unprecedented amounts of
rain in the last several months,” said Nick Wiley, Executive Director of the
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. “We encourage the
public to help our efforts to better understand this situation by adding
to our surveillance capacity and reporting fish kills and injured or
sick wildlife”.
To report a
fish kill or abnormally behaving fish, call the FWC’s Fish Kill Hotline at
800-636-0511 or submit a report online at MyFWC.com/FishKill. Report sick,
injured or dead wildlife including manatees and sea turtles to the Wildlife
Alert hotline at 888-404-3922.
You can find
additional information on health effects related to algae at www.floridashealth.com.
For more
information about the water quality protection and restoration programs
visit http://www.dep.state.fl.us/water/watersheds/bmap.htm.
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