Officials to Discuss Lake Okeechobee Restoration

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection invites stakeholders — government representatives, scientists, environmental organizations, agricultural operators and others — to attend a meeting to discuss the draft Lake Okeechobee restoration plan (November 18, at Williamson Conference and Education Center, Okeechobee, FL).

This is part of a series of meetings meant to develop and identify specific pollutant reductions necessary and strategies to improve the lake’s water quality.

“The restoration of Lake Okeechobee is at the heart of improving water quality for all of South Florida,” said Tom Frick, director of the Division of Environmental Assessment and Restoration. “The actions identified in this plan are a meaningful step toward that goal.”

The restoration plan, known as a basin management action plan or BMAP, is a plan with specific pollutant reduction projects and milestones. The Lake Okeechobee BMAP development process has been a collaborative effort between DEP, the South Florida Water Management District, the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and other stakeholders.

The BMAP includes a monitoring plan to keep track of progress and water quality. Periodic follow-up meetings will be conducted to keep track of ongoing projects and initiatives as well as to discuss future project planning. At this meeting, DEP representatives will discuss comments on and changes to the draft BMAP document.

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Press Release