Treasure Coast Sun

U.S. Congressman Brian Mast (FL-21) has called for a long-term halt to discharges from Lake Okeechobee into the St. Lucie Estuary, citing the urgent need to prevent further environmental damage. Speaking about the current situation, Rep. Mast expressed his concerns, stating, “We went from water that was Bahama blue to water that you can’t even see your hand in. A two-week pause in discharges, as recently announced, is a woefully inefficient half measure. The only way to prevent another lost summer is a long-term halt.”

In a letter addressed to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Rep. Mast emphasized the detrimental effects of the ongoing discharges on the estuary ecosystem. He pointed out that the discharges not only cause significant damage but also go against the best available science and modeling. Rep. Mast urged the Corps to take immediate action to cease discharges to the St. Lucie Estuary to prevent further environmental degradation.

The Congressman highlighted the presence of algae in Lake Okeechobee, warning that the discharges containing nitrogen and phosphorous could lead to the formation of toxic algal blooms as temperatures rise. He emphasized the need for a proactive approach to protect the water quality and biodiversity of the affected areas.

Rep. Mast's efforts to address the issue date back to previous legislative actions. In 2018, he successfully pushed for a provision mandating a review of the Lake Okeechobee Regulation Schedule (LORS) in the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA). This initiative led to the selection of a new schedule that aimed to reduce discharges from Lake Okeechobee to the St. Lucie Estuary. Despite these efforts, bureaucratic obstacles have delayed the implementation of the new Lake Okeechobee System Operating Manual (LOSOM).

Furthermore, in 2022, Rep. Mast championed legislation that required the USACE to develop a plan for additional infrastructure to completely eliminate discharges to the St. Lucie Estuary, demonstrating his commitment to finding long-term solutions to the environmental challenges facing the region.

As concerns over the environmental impact of Lake Okeechobee discharges continue to grow, Rep. Mast's call for a long-term halt to the discharges reflects the pressing need for immediate action to protect the delicate ecosystem of the St. Lucie Estuary.