September 12, 2022 - Today, the Lake Okeechobee System Operating Manual (LOSOM) reached another important step in the process to determine how water from Lake Okeechobee will be managed in the years ahead. Stakeholders from across the Everglades watershed provided input on the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will review the comments as they proceed towards the final EIS.
Environmental partners weigh in on LOSOM:
“The Everglades Foundation commends the thorough and transparent process to update the Lake Okeechobee regulation schedule. This process is on track to achieve a more balanced way of managing lake water for all Floridians. It is a significant and more equitable improvement over the status quo that will benefit America's Everglades and Florida's clean water economy. This important change in water policy will send freshwater south to the Everglades during the dry season and reduce harmful discharges to the East and West coasts.” Eric Eikenberg, CEO, The Everglades Foundation.
“Florida Bay Forever applauds the inclusive and transparent LOSOM process. We appreciate the balanced approach which will benefit Florida’s public, environment, and economy. Florida Bay Forever looks forward to LOSOM’s implementation which will send more freshwater south contributing to Everglades restoration and a healthier more resilient Florida Bay.” Jeff Baumgartner, Executive Director, Florida Bay Forever.
"We commend the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for providing a robust and transparent LOSOM process. The plan proposed in the Draft EIS will more equitably distribute water throughout the entire water management system, reducing stressful and damaging discharges to the Caloosahatchee and St. Lucie estuaries, and tripling the volume of water sent south to the Everglades and Florida Bay. While the plan is not perfect, it will move us away from the harmful hold and dump practices of the current lake regulation schedule. We look forward to working with the Army Corps, the South Florida Water Management District, and our regional partners to get this plan to the finish line." James Evans, CEO, Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation.
“National Parks Conservation Association appreciates the thorough, transparent, and science-based process that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers undertook during years of LOSOM planning. The end-result is a balanced plan that will send more clean water to Everglades National Park while reducing harmful discharges to the northern estuaries. These operational changes, combined with a record-breaking federal investment in the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP), will lead to significant on-the-ground benefits for our national parks in South Florida.” Melissa E. Abdo, Ph.D., Sun Coast Regional Director, National Parks Conservation Association.
“The Everglades Trust supports a more balanced Lake Okeechobee operations plan that protects residents, tourists, and businesses that drive Florida’s clean water economy. We greatly appreciate the work of the South Florida Water Management District and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers over the past three years to develop a new plan through a transparent process that works better for all Floridians and the Everglades.” Anna Upton, CEO, Everglades Trust.
“This milestone for the Lake Okeechobee System Operating Manual moves us one step closer to getting the water right. It will provide much needed relief from harmful releases to our coastal estuaries and will support efforts to send clean water south where it is needed most. We are glad to see this process moving forward and look forward to the schedule’s full implementation.” Julie Hill Gabriel, Vice President – Water Conservation, National Audubon Society.
“The current Lake Okeechobee System Operating Manual (LOSOM) plan provides the ability for no Lake releases to the St. Lucie Estuary, less harmful releases to the Caloosahatchee Estuary, and sending more water south from Lake Okeechobee to restore the Everglades. With sound water management through LOSOM, our estuaries, Lake Okeechobee, and Everglades ecology will all benefit. The plan represents the culmination of active engagement from our community, and we thank them for their tireless commitment to improving the health of Florida waters.” Mark Perry, Executive Director, Florida Oceanographic Society.
“Fishing and the outdoors are more than a way of life for millions of Florida’s residents and visitors—they make up an economy worth billions of dollars which depends on clean water. It’s critical that our water resources are restored and protected. We thank the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for a thorough and transparent LOSOM process. The proposed plan in the Draft EIS will help to alleviate discharges to the estuaries on both coasts, and send more clean water south to the Everglades. LOSOM distributes water more equitably than the current lake regulation schedule- a win for all who appreciate Florida’s water resources. The plan is not perfect, nor can it be until Everglades restoration is complete. We look forward to working with the South Florida Water Management District and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to expedite completion of the cornerstone project of Everglades restoration, the EAA Reservoir, which will provide additional water storage and treatment capacity throughout the entire Everglades system.” Capt. Daniel Andrews, Executive Director, Captains For Clean Water.