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Section 4 Identification of Problems and Opportunities

EAA Storage Reservoirs Revised Draft PIR and EIS February 2006

4-2

(please refer to the Appendices for additional detail). Four distinct initiatives

were undertaken to garner public input:

• Establishment of a website (www.evergladesplan.org) to provide

information and communication paths.

• Submission of scoping letter to identified Project stakeholders providing a

description of the EAA Storage Reservoir project and identifying points of

contact for more information or registering concerns.

• Two public workshops were conducted in Spanish and English at Belle

Glade in August 2001 and January 2003.

• A series of PDT meetings (that were open to the public) were held within

50 miles of the Study Area.

Many of the issues identified through this process are related to the conflict

between encroaching human development and the natural environment. Public

comments generally supported the Project’s goals and objectives, but expressed

concern over the length of the Project schedule. There was skepticism regarding

the cost-effectiveness of storage reservoirs versus storing water in Lake

Okeechobee or the WCAs due to increased evaporation and seepage from the

reservoirs. Suggestions were put forth by the public to investigate alternate

approaches to restoring historic flows and flow-ways. Many of the public

comments were concerns regarding potential impact to jobs in the Study Area.

4.1.2 Water Quality

4.1.2.1 Everglades and WCAs

The conversion of historic wetlands south of Lake Okeechobee into agricultural

land with its attendant water management practices has altered the frequency,

duration, and magnitude of interannual wet and dry cycles, and introduced high

nutrient loading into portions of the regional water management system. Runoff

from the EAA contains significant quantities of nutrients. Those nutrients most

notably recognized include phosphorous derived from agricultural practices. The

hydrology and vegetative communities of the remaining Everglades have become

altered by the operations of the C&SF Project and the discharge of high levels of

water-borne nutrients. The resulting loss in spatial extent increased

concentrations of pollutants in remaining natural system surface waters,

sediments, and wetlands.

4.1.2.2 Lake Okeechobee

High levels of nutrients and other pollutants enter Lake Okeechobee from

tributary basins north, east, and west of the lake and are back-pumped to Lake

Okeechobee from the EAA. The discharge of nutrients has contributed to the

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