Palmetto Bay, Fla. July 11th, 2019 – Eric Eikenberg, CEO of The Everglades Foundation, today issued the following statement in reaction to testimony yesterday by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ national leadership before the U.S. House of Representatives Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. The Army Corps admitted to willfully and knowingly releasing toxic water containing cyanobacteria and harmful algal blooms from Lake Okeechobee to the St. Lucie and Caloosahatchee Rivers.
“Major General Spellmon acknowledged yesterday during his congressional testimony that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is fully aware that the water it is discharging into Florida’s coastal communities out of Lake Okeechobee is toxic.
“While this is disturbing, it is not surprising to residents who have been repeatedly exposed to these discharges.
“With the Corps’ acknowledgment now on the table, we call on our federal government to act swiftly to avert another public health crisis by expediting Everglades restoration, specifically the most critical and impactful component: the Everglades Reservoir Project that will store, clean and send water south.”
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About The Everglades Foundation
The Everglades Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit dedicated to leading efforts to restore and protect the greater Everglades ecosystem. Since its founding in 1993 by a group of local outdoor enthusiasts, the Foundation has become a respected and important advocate for the sustainability of one of the world’s most unique ecosystems. For more information about The Everglades Foundation, please visit EvergladesFoundation.org.
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MEDIA CONTACT Steve Davis, sdavis@evergladesfoundation.org, 305.251.0001