H&I. LAKE OKEECHOBEE AND THE ESTUARIES: A WATER MANAGEMENT BALANCING ACT
In its second year being offered, this panel is presenting on the very critical issues affecting Lake Okeechobee and the Northern Estuaries. This year, the 2017 Legislature is considering various options to solve and address water storage issues affecting Lake Okeechobee and the Northern Everglades and Estuaries, including Senate committee meetings on this very critical and controversial issue. This 2-part course of advanced discussion will focus on the latest issues facing the management of Lake Okeechobee and the estuaries and their effect on water supply, water resources, and environmental restoration throughout South Florida. The panel represents a diverse cross section of government (federal, state, and local), private landowners, tribal entities, and environmental and agricultural interests.
The panel will discuss how Lake management decisions affect their differing interests and obligations and the varying issues that must be balanced to make effective decisions. They will focus on the very latest developments affecting the Lake and estuaries, including the latest update from the Legislature, applicable provisions of the Water Policy Bill, status of the Lake Okeechobee Regulation Schedule, schedule for the Herbert Hoover Dike Rehabilitation, endangered species, latest studies and status of the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan projects and what can be expected over the coming year. In Part II of this panel, the speakers will openly discuss the various options and solutions for addressing the issues.
