Okeechobee County will sue Corps

Okeechobee County will sue Corps. of Eng.

The battle rages on between Okeechobee County, South Florida Water Management, and the Corps of Eng. The Corps has steadfastly refused to lower water levels to 13 feet so that the grass can be re-established in the lake, saving it from certain death.

After returning from a meeting of the South Florida Water Management, the County commissioners of Okeechobee County voted to move ahead with all possible haste and file a law suit against the Corps. of Engineers and the South Florida Water Management. The decision was made after the Commissioners of South Florida Water took no action at their April 13th board meeting to have the Corp lower lake levels to a level of 13 feet.

Commissioner Gene Woods made the request to proceed with the lawsuit and to name the federal and state agencies in the suit. The water must be lowered to at least 13 feet for 3 months or more to re-establish the native grasses that has been destroyed by high water levels maintained by the Corp. County Attorney John Cassels has acquired an environmental litigation team and they are trying several methods to approach the problem. They are currently recovering data relating to the problem so that they may request an injunction from the Courts to force the Corps to lower the levels while the lawsuit itself is filed, since that could take up to a year to accomplish.

It is certain that the Okeechobee County Commissioners should be commended on having enough backbone to stand up to the Corp. and the agriculture interests that would leave the water high. The Commissioners of Hendry County, home of US Sugar, have not so much as even voiced any concern over the matter. It would be nice if they would get off their duffs and join Okeechobee County in the suit.

I am asking that all fishermen join in their efforts to stop the bureaucrats from the total destruction of the lake. E-Mail the Governor of Florida, Jeb Bush, with your protest against sustained high water and the killing of the environment of Lake Okeechobee. The life of the greatest bass lake in the United States is at stake.

Suggested Text to Email the Governor of Florida:

Dear Gov. Bush,

I wish to register my personal protest to the continued high water levels being maintained by the Corps of Eng. and South Florida Water Management at Lake Okeechobee. The lake belongs to everyone , not just a few developers and agriculture interests. Our children deserve our efforts to stop the destruction of the second largest lake in the United States.

Sincerely,

(Your Name )

This text may be cut and pasted to the email form when you click on the link to email the Governor.

Here is a link to Florida agencies and departments for more information.

by: Walt Reynolds, BASS Touring Pro

Clewiston, FL. 33440

863-983-8692
Hosting by Bass N Edge