Major Reservoir Project Could Take Years

Dan Florida, Industry News Release, Water

After receiving legislative approval last spring, a massive reservoir intended to help shift water south from Lake Okeechobee remains years away from reality, the head of the South Florida Water Management District said Wednesday. A big factor in the timeline for design and construction of the reservoir is waiting for federal-government approval of its half of the roughly $1.6 billion …

Negron Urges Broader Look for Reservoir Land

Dan Environment, Florida, Water

Senate President Joe Negron wants water managers to expand their search for land to house a reservoir he has backed to help shift water south from Lake Okeechobee. In a letter Thursday to South Florida Water Management District Executive Director Ernie Marks, Negron expressed concern that plans put forward a day earlier “may be unnecessarily constrained by using a limited …

Agriculture, Environmental Funding Pitched

Dan Economy, Environment, Florida, Industry News Release

Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam will ask state lawmakers for $75 million next year to fund a depleted program that helps shield agricultural land from development. Meanwhile, Gov. Rick Scott said Thursday he will propose spending $21 million to help struggling citrus growers reeling after Hurricane Irma. “They have one crop a year. With all the wind and the rain, it …

Army Corps Needs More Time on Negron Reservoir

Dan Florida, Industry News Release, Water

by Jim Turner, News Service of Florida Federal assistance may be on the way for the state’s latest Everglades restoration effort. But the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers says it will need another month to figure out how to join in Senate President Joe Negron’s plan for a reservoir south of Lake Okeechobee. Col. Jason Kirk, the Florida commander for …

Water Management District Offers Online Updates on Reservoir

Dan Florida, Industry News Release, Water

from News Service of Florida Progress on a controversial reservoir intended to help clean South Florida waterways can now be followed via an interactive map provided by the South Florida Water Management District. The website outlines where the reservoir — about 18,000-acres — will be located within the Everglades Agricultural Area south of Lake Okeechobee. So far, water management officials …