SFWMD should redesign EAA reservoir, Sierra Club says; other environmentalists disagree

Article Reference: SFWMD should redesign EAA reservoir, Sierra Club says; other environmentalists disagree

, Treasure Coast NewspapersPublished 3:04 p.m. ET Jan. 11, 2019

Change in Everglades restoration is afoot; but it’s no time to stump your toe, say some environmental leaders.

Despite a new governor and (possibly) a new South Florida Water Management District board, now is not the time to contemplate a new EAA reservoir, some, but not all environmental groups say.

In response to Gov. Ron DeSantis’ announcement of increased spending for Everglades restoration, Sierra Club Florida called for the Everglades Agricultural Area Reservoir to be “redesigned to include a shallower, wider reservoir with a major land purchase to provide for the necessary treatment of water from the reservoir before it is released south to the Everglades.”

Representatives from several environmental groups that fought hard to get a larger project to help cut Lake Okeechobee discharges to the St. Lucie and Caloosahatchee rivers said Friday it’s too late to redesign the reservoir.

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