Lake Okeechobee is an Eden for birds and wildlife and the lifeblood of the Everglades. A multitude of wading birds, ducks, endangered birds like Everglade Snail Kites, and alligators call it home. Water from the lake flows south to Everglades National Park, and east and west to the delicate St. Lucie and Caloosahatchee Estuaries. But if we don’t reduce the amount of pollution from phosphorus and nitrogen flowing into the Lake, the future of this Floridian paradise is in jeopardy.

Large amounts of phosphorus in the lake are linked to the increased possibility of blue green algae blooms. It can also contribute to the accelerated growth of vegetation like cattails that block navigation and damage wildlife habitat in the Lake’s marsh. Too much phosphorus means that valuable marsh habitat suitable for nesting and foraging of Okeechobee birds is choked with thick patches of noxious vegetation.

For decades, Audubon Florida’s Okeechobee team has vigorously advocated for bold steps to clean our treasured Lake. We have advocated for state agencies and private partners to reduce the amount of fertilizer, animal feed, and phosphorus-laden water from urban areas from entering the watershed. Click here to see our latest Audubon Fact Sheet.

But as years go by, the amount of phosphorus entering the lake has not significantly decreased. In 2001, Florida set a water quality goal for Lake Okeechobee that set a maximum level of phosphorus entering Lake Okeechobee - a target to be met by 2015. We are approaching 2015 and the latest average of phosphorus flowing into the lake is over three times the state’s water quality goal.

The time to take action is now.  In the next few weeks, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection will unveil a process to develop a plan to clean up Lake Okeechobee, known as a Basin Management Action Plan.

Audubon is asking the State of Florida to protect Lake Okeechobee’s habitat by:  

1. Updating incentive programs for agriculture in the Okeechobee watershed, known as best management practices, to significantly reduce the amount of phosphorus from fertilizer and animal feed added to the watershed. The State of Florida should also increase funding to implement, staff, and monitor the success of these programs.
2. Reduce phosphorus from urban areas by restarting efforts to develop a Northern Everglades Stormwater Rule. This rule will limit the amount of phosphorus coming off of new development in the watershed. Close the loophole in Florida law that allows dried-out residuals from human waste being used as fertilizer.
3. Increase funding for water storage projects on private lands throughout the Okeechobee watershed.

Click here for our fact sheet with more detailed suggestions.