Last week, the first public meeting was held for the Lake Okeechobee Watershed project. The overwhelming turnout of citizens forced the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and South Florida Water Management District to divide the crowd into two sessions. Nearly 150 people made their voices heard. The vast majority asked that a planning effort in the EAA begin concurrently with this project.

On that same day, Jo-Ellen Darcy, Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works stated that the Army is ready to initiate an EAA study quickly once a local sponsor is identified. This bold response represents a step forward on behalf of the federal government in advancing the planning effort.

The South Florida Water Management District has since expressed its unwillingness to advance the important planning effort, insisting that it not begin until 2021. With a growing demand to take action on all projects that could help prevent future water crises, Audubon will continue to encourage the Governor to direct the SFWMD to begin EAA planning now.

Thank you to the thousands of you who have signed our petition and lent your support to this effort!