The South Florida Water Management District’s (SFWMD) process to update the regional plans to protect water for environment in southern Florida is in full swing. These plans, known as the Lower East Coast and Lower West Coast Water Supply Plan updates, impact some of our most treasured habitats through Florida, including Lake Okeechobee, Florida Bay, the Water Conservation Areas and Everglades National Park, and the St. Lucie and Caloosahatchee Estuaries, among others. The plans are updated once every five years with a 20 year planning horizon.
Our Audubon Florida team and dedicated Audubon chapters have been advocating for these plan updates to increase protections of our delicate ecosystems. We are urging the SFWMD to modify the water supply plan updates to:
- Develop and/or update rules and operations to provide true protections for ecosystems, including Biscayne Bay, Lake Okeechobee, Florida Bay, and the Caloosahatchee Estuary.
- Increase focus on water conservation and water use efficiency to curb demands.
- Enhance water shortage management to better protect natural systems and provide better parity for natural systems and users.
- Plan for sea level rise that may result from climate change.
It is crucial that as water managers plan water supply for our region for the next 20 years, they account for the water needed to sustain the environment. Likewise, ecosystems such as Lake Okeechobee must continue to be treated as ecosystems to protect habitat rather than as a reservoir.
Last week Audubon and Audubon chapters on Southwest coast submitted comments on the Lower West Coast Water Supply Plan. Also last week, Audubon Florida gave a presentation “Protecting our Ecosystems for our Economy, Future, and Way of Life.” Click here to download a PDF copy.
Stay tuned for further developments.
