Polluted Lake Okeechobee water dump sparks coastal protests

The Indian River Lagoon is turning black and green and tempers are flaring red.

Source: TC Palm http://www.tcpalm.com/videos/detail/indian-river-lagoon-rally/

Thousands of people have demonstrated in Martin County for two consecutive weeks as our government dumps a daily chemical stew of phosphorus and nitrogen from Lake Okeechobee into the Indian River Lagoon.

Source: WPTV http://www.wptv.com/

The Corps of Engineers says it has to dump the lake's polluted water because of high levels caused by a rainier than usual summer and a weak levee, but coastal residents are outraged.

This problem is not going away unless we set protective numeric limits on pollution and approve plans to restore water flow through the Everglades.

Our state and federal governments need to:

-- Approve the Central Everglades restoration plan and raise Tamiami Trail. The South Florida Water Management District Governing Board can vote this week to endorse the Central Everglades Restoration plan to help restore flow to the Everglades.

 --  Set protective numeric standards for all canals, intermittent streams, tidal creeks, all flowing waters and waters of the estuary.

Take Action now!

Contact the South Florida Water Management District Governing Board and tell them to vote for the Central Everglades restoration plan at their Thursday, August 15 meeting!

Board members' emails: (copy and paste):

dokeefe@sfwmd.gov, kpowers@sfwmd.gov, fbarber@sfwmd.gov, sbatchel@sfwmd.gov,mhutchcraft@sfwmd.gov, jmoran@sfwmd.gov, jportuon@sfwmd.gov, tsargent@sfwmd.gov, gwaldman@sfwmd.gov, rwalker@sfwmd.gov, ebarnett@sfwmd.gov

Subject line (copy and paste): 

Vote for the Central Everglades restoration plan.

Message (copy and paste):

Dear Governing Board member:

Time is running out for the Everglades and our coastal estuaries . Please vote to approve the Central Everglades Planning Project (CEPP) on Thursday, August 15. Florida can’t wait any longer!

Sincerely,

[Your name here]