Every 3 years the restoration plan for the largest lake in Florida, Lake Okeechobee, comes up for review. Audubon is again working closely with government officials and lake managers to ensure they have the most current and trusted science available to make the best choices for the long-term health of our beautiful lake.

This week, the Draft Lake Okeechobee Protection Plan 2011 Update (LOPP Draft Update) was released by the Inter-Agency Planning Team of the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD), Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS), and Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP).

The LOPP Draft Update presents the state with an opportunity to reduce new nutrient imports (“source control”), improve water quality treatment, and further develop dispersed water management programs that engage landowners in cooperative water storage solutions in the Northern Everglades.

Audubon has successfully worked with the LOPP’s managing agencies since the program’s inception in 2004.

During the last update, it was our position that led to a reevaluation of the plan’s efforts to manage phosphorus levels and water storage capacity. Just last month, Audubon’s 2010 Draft LOPP recommendations were sent in a letter to Carol Wehle, the SFWMD’s Executive Director. In that correspondence, Audubon of Florida Executive Director Eric Draper stated, “We hope that this plan becomes a true blueprint for moving forward with recovering the health of the Lake, its watershed, and the Northern Everglades of which it is part.”

Remember to stay tuned to this website: On November 19th, the SFWMD, FDACS, and DEP will hold an interagency meeting on the LOPP Draft Update; check back for updates on this meeting.

For more information, please read our LOPP Draft Update Factsheet.