The June 22nd Rivers Coalition meeting focused on the mushrooming threat of a harmful discharge this summer from Lake Okeechobee. The big problem: The lake - currently loaded with toxic algae -- is a full foot higher than it should be at this time of year with the rainy season beginning. On top of that, above average precipitation is being forecast for our area this summer. The combination poses a terrifying threat to our river and estuary; the closest precedents are the environmentally-disastrous years of 2016 and 2018.

Ben Hogarth, from the City of Stuart, and John Maehi, from Martin County, presented the plans to deal with any toxic discharges.

Mr. Hogarth noted the current El Nino conditions (above average water temperatures in the Pacific Ocean) typically lead to more tropical systems in the Atlantic than usual, adding that it is unusual to see so many tropical waves coming off Africa this early. This creates a threat of too much rain in our area creating a higher lake level and increasing the threat that the Army Corps of Engineers would be required to release water down the St. Lucie Canal -- water full of toxic algae.

Mr. Maehl shared Martin County's Algae Response strategy. He is

optimistic: The Department of Environmental Protection, South Florida Water Management District, Florida Department of Health and the Army Corps of Engineers are all much more responsive to health issues now than they were in 2016 and 2018. He noted that the SFWMD now leads an "all hands on deck" response to toxic algae which has generated positive results: the algae bloom two years ago at the Pahokee Marina was successfully handled.

One nagging problem: The Corps of Engineers still has to follow the old lake management schedule (LORS) rather than the new one (LOSOM) that was supposed to have gone into effect this summer but has been delayed. LORS permits greater discharges at lower lake levels than the new LOSOM does. Fortunately, Lt. Col. Polk, from the Corps of Engineers, told us they were well aware of this distinction and were going to consider the more accommodative(and more estuary-friendly LOSOM guidelines in their decision-making process.

The bottom line: The agencies believe they are ready, willing and able to deal with any toxic algae that shows up in our area - and urged us: "If you suspect you're seeing toxic algae, REPORT IT!"

Finally, a bittersweet note: Our pleas to the Governor to keep Jacqui Thurlow-Lippisch on the South Florida Water Management District's Governing Board fell on deaf ears. Her term expired this past Monday. 

She received a standing ovation in thanks for her service to our area and her long, steadfast fight for clean water - a fight she vowed to continue whenever and wherever she could.

Walter Deemer

LWVMC Environmental Issues Chair