FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Jan. 26, 2015
DEP HOLDS PUBLIC MEETING FOR UPDATE ON
CALOOSAHATCHEE ESTUARY AND EVERGLADES
WEST COAST BASIN RESTORATION PLANS
~Projects implemented during second year continue
restoration efforts~
FORT MYERS - The
Florida Department of Environmental Protection is holding a public meeting to
discuss updates and progress for the Caloosahatchee Estuary and Everglades West
Coast Basin restoration plans.
WHAT: Annual update to
the Caloosahatchee and Everglades West Coast Basin
Restoration Plans
WHEN: Wednesday,
Jan. 28
10 a.m. – noon
WHERE: SFWMD Lower West Coast Service
Center
2301
McGregor Blvd.
Fort
Myers, FL 33901
“Critical to Florida’s restoration process is engaging local leaders to
evaluate — and expedite — progress in the basin,” said Tom Frick, director of the
Division of Environmental Assessment and Restoration. “The department is
committed to restoring water quality in Southwest Florida.”
The Caloosahatchee Estuary and Everglades West Coast Basin suffer from
nutrient pollution, or an excess of nutrients in the waterbodies. It has been two
years since the adoption of the restoration plans, and this meeting will be
used to discuss progress, as well as ongoing and future projects. Department
and local government representatives will discuss the progress report for these
basins and review activities implemented in the last year of restoration.
The Caloosahatchee River runs from Lake Okeechobee through a series of
locks to San Carlos Bay. It has both fresh water and marine segments. The
marine segment is referred to as the Caloosahatchee Estuary or Tidal Caloosahatchee,
and this segment is the focus of the restoration plan. The basin encompasses
portions of Lee County and Charlotte County, as well as areas within the cities
of Cape Coral and Fort Myers.
The Everglades West Coast Basin restoration plan focuses on two
waterbodies in this basin, Hendry Creek and the Imperial River. The Hendry Creek
watershed is located in the southwest part of Lee County. The Imperial River
watershed is also located in Lee County within the city of Bonita Springs.
For more information on the
Caloosahatchee Estuary and Everglades West Coast Basin restoration plans, click
here.
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