Ding Darling Raises Awareness About Lake Okeechobee Water Releases

Lake Okeechobee Water Releases Threaten J.N. “Ding” Darling NWR and the Local Economy.

The Ding Darling Wildlife Society issued the following Outreach Bulletin regarding Lake Okeechobee Water Releases.

“Periodic excessive summer releases of nutrient-laden water from Lake Okeechobee into the Caloosahatchee River estuary continue to have a severe negative impact on San Carlos Bay, Pine Island Sound and the waters of the J. N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge (DDNWR). This impact includes loss of submerged seagrasses and oyster beds, severe water discoloration due to dissolved organics, and the periodic appearance of red tide, and other algal blooms.

Historically, water from the lake flowed south through the Everglades. So, its diversion into the Caloosahatchee not only negatively impacts the River and the Refuge but also the entire Everglades ecosystem. Please click here to read more details on this critical situation and on the remedial Central Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP).

Recent positive action in both the Federal House and Senate suggests that our elected officials are finally recognizing the need for remedial action to be taken before it is too late. Bills have been introduced in both Houses to act on a corrective action program as outlined in the CERP (when approved by the Army Corps of Engineers). However, your help is needed to ensure that these bills are passed, funded and implemented.

Congressman/woman and Senators in Washington urgently requesting their support.”

For more information, please see Ding Darling Wildlife Society.