Lake O water to be released

The Army Corp of Engineers said they will be releasing water from Lake O.

THE 5 PERCENT GOAL.WHEN COUNTING RETESTS, THE RATEIS OVER 6 PERCENT.TODAY STARTS THE RETURN OF LAKEOKEECHOBEE WATER RELEASES.WHILE THE ARMY CORPS OFENGINEERS SAYS THE MOVE LOWERSFLOODING RISKS FOR NEARBYHOMES... ITS RAISING CONCERNSABOUT OUR WATER QUALITY.DEREK LOWE HAS MORE ON THOSECLOSELY WATCHING JUST WHATHAPPENS.PKG: Jordan Schwartz, Owner,Ohana Surf Shop We haveexperienced one of our bestyears in our 14 years we’ve beenopen.

AT THE OHANA SURF SHOPNEXT TO STUART BEACH, BUSINESSHAS BEEN GOOD FOR THE PAST TWOSUMMERS WITH ZERO DISCHARGE FROMLAKE OKEECHOBEE.

Sot Jordan Ourseagrass our coming back sohealthy, our fishing has beenunreal this year.

JORDANSCHWARTZ IS THE OWNER OF THESANDY SHOP THAT SELLS SURFBOARDSAND FISHING BAIT.

HE’S WORRIEDABOUT THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT.Sot Jordan The minute you hedischarges in this town, ifyou’ve lived here long enough,you’re scared.

THE ARMY CORPS OFENGINEERS SAID ON WEDNESDAY THATWATER WOULD BEGIN FLOWING AT1800 CUBIC FEET PER SECOND TOHELP PROTECT HOMES AROUND THELAKE FROM FLOODING.

Sot JohnMaehl, Ecosystem RestorationManagement Manager This is ablow, for sure..

JOHN MAEHL ISTHE ECOSYSTEM RESTORATIONMANAGER FOR MARTIN COUNTY.

HESAYS DISCHARGES FROM THE LAKEDON’T HELP THE ALREADYOVERWHELMING AMOUNT OFFRESHWATER COMING FROM LOCALCANALS.

Sot John Even withoutlake discharges, that watercomes with high nutrients, itcomes with sometimes fecalbacteria that makes it not safeto recreate in the water.

ANDTHAT BUSINESSES, NOT JUST ON THECOAST, COULD SUFFER AS A RESULT.Sot John There’s so much of ourlocal economy that depends onwater and water qualityspecifically.

Sot Jordan You’redealing with covid.

You’redealing with issues from t