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>> ladies and gentlemen, if you can take your seats for

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going to start about a manner that goes to

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? >> One and metropolitan low

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Ares wants to the most. We've been holding back a little

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edge. Inmates are. Big shoes 50

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>> I do with the Good morning. To the county coalition for

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responsible management of Lake Okeechobee, Port St. Lucie and

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Caloosahatchee estuaries in Lake Worth Lagoon. It's

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Friday, September 4th, 2026. Before we get started, if we

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could rise, if you can rise for the pledge.

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>> I pledge allegiance to flag. To republic for which it

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stands. nation under be a for all.

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>> Thank you very much. Looking around. Good, good

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crowd. Today. It might have something to do with lunch,

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this is the lead. Everybody know that we do have the

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annual barbecue over The first Methodist church down the

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street here right after that. conclusion of this meeting and

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the first time I know of no charge to attend. So come on

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over its good food and good, good, good folks over there.

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Looking at the audience. I'll probably miss somebody. But so

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I'll just say thank you to all people from various agencies

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that are here. Appreciate your tenants the upcoming

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presentations. Review and adoption of the agenda. Any

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changes the agenda? Gentlemen? None sir. Second, motion. A

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second to adopt the agenda as presented. The only changes

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are individuals from the different counties that

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they're substituting officials Trosky for Commissioner Wayne,

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run for Mayor Baxter and And year. Your name Good bread for

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us like a wolf of for Commissioner Hazell as is

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motion a second. Any additional discussion. Any

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objection to the motion? Another passes unanimously.

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Okay. Item for treasures report. Commissioner. I

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currently have. we didn't go back to the minutes. I know we

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did the agenda, but I'd like to go back to the minutes

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before we out on a body here we get right to it.

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>> Michael, as we just adopted the agenda with this front,

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which we should go to the ministry partner. Go ahead.

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You have question on just a >> A correction for the

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minutes in the entire minutes. My name is misspelled. I would

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just like to have that. >> Corrected. It is P E T R O

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S K Y. Thank you. Pronounce that. Please. Pronounce that.

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says products that pitch Yes. Thank you.

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>> Okay. To have a motion to adopt the minutes of June. 5th

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2025 with changes. I think second your motion a second to

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adopt the minutes from June 5th 2026 with the changes

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requested by commissioner process. Any discussion. any

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objection to the motion. Another passes unanimously.

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Thank you for catching the minutes that thank you.

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Treasures report the We have balance of $58,554 and $0.47.

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>> sounds pretty Motion to accept the treasurer's report.

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Motion second to for the treasurer's report and

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discussion. Any objection to the motion? Passes

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unanimously. Okay. Good update now from the various counties.

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Start with Commissioner Townsend for Change. This is

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unusual the new down accounts. Pretty quiet. Actually. The

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only thing we really have active is we are updating our

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port masterplan. >> Other than that, a lot

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happening. >> Commissioner Preston, High

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Commissioner Petroski. We have a few things from Lee County.

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First, we are very excited with Southwest or South

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Florida Water Management district. They're doing their

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continual operation testing and the C 43 reservoir so

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we're just hopeful and perhaps with the rainfall that we're

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getting more late lately and more Kamen that we're getting,

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the agency will be able to put more additional water and

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coming soon, the Caloosahatchee has been

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receiving far less water the necessary to maintain the

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health since October. So Lee County is glad that our

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estuaries finally starting to see some inflows. But that is

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entirely due to the race. Recent rainfall. We do want to

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thank major Corey Bell for coming out and visit us at Lee

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County this last June. He spent some time with staff and

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myself visiting our new natural resources. Lime that

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is under construction right now. But we are scheduled to

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have it reopened at the end of this year, if not early, 2027

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and then we also have exciting news that we're going to be

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welcomed. The Colonel Bowman to Lee County in the next few

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weeks. And we're going to be having looking forward to

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having some discussions regarding some of the core

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related matters. But that is all I have today. So thank you

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so Thank you very much. Commissioner sailing Glades

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County. >> And Glades County. We do

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have a whole lot. We still continue convert septic to

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sewer in the city of Moore Haven its more grants this

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year do that. But We did get 2 million Dollar grant to redo

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Indian Prairie boat ramp, which a good thing. It's very

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straight. So hopefully we can clean that area. Thank a nice

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for there. Let's get a control district in Buckhead Ridge is

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kind of unique where they don't to spray mosquitoes.

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They also maintain our canals exotic some stuff. But they

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also got a grant for $750,000 to buy a mechanical harvester.

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So they're going to try go from spraying the harvesting.

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But the only drawback to that is if this amendment 3 passes

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are not going to have enough funding to run, kind of death

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star there with here you get the funding and then the cut

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your operational expenses. But the only other thing I want to

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bring up and then it's it could be very big issue for

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this area. But there's a meal we that's out there now, you

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can tell, pressure, dressing them. It's in the cane fields

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right now. And it's really devastating. The cane fields

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that are existing that letter getting into it. They're not

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able to stop it. So as if that takes overcame, like the other

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book took over the orange industry. We may be looking

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for some serious side effects of this whole state of

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Florida. So keep your eye out on on That I mean, if a messes

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up our even our China operations, I these guys can

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grow Callaway things effect scripts. But just keep your

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eyes open for that. But that's all I got. Thank you, Tim.

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Okeechobee County. >> All right. Good morning,

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Commissioner Brett Good bridge the alternate. For Okeechobee

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County taken Commissioner David Paisley's place here.

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The conflicting. Excuse me, conflicting meeting this

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morning. We have. Coming to the finish line on or Bass Pro

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project. Looks like we're getting ready sign a a. 2,

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Tucson, the agreement to 2 change ownership to Bass Pro.

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Then a couple list of a couple things we had to clean up. So

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that looks like it's finally after. Probably been years

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now. It's coming to the finish line. And anybody that's

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looking for some recreation for the weekend from a holiday

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weekend when the Okeechobee professional Cowboys Labor Day

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Rodeo this weekend. It's a Saturday and Sunday evening at

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06:00PM. Commissioner. Yeah. >> We had it about a month

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ago. We had a ribbon cutting for the C 23 STA Project. It's

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not Martin County. It's in Port St. Lucie County, but

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it's part of IRL South. It's a critical project and it was

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really, really well attended. It was real celebration about

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90 of us whether the hot weather that afternoon in

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order to usher in terrific project, another project that

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we're really looking forward to the said Ron Project, we

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all deal with bio solids in an satisfactory ways. We fret

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about how to dispose of them in until now have been no good

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solutions. We have an excellent solution that we

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should all consider. The said Ron Project is moving into

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facilities moving into Indian town. I hopefully will be

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finished sometime in 2027, perhaps early 2027. It uses

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very high heat. And chemicals in order to dispose of the

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solids and the buy products are either inert or their

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their renewables and they destroy the nitrogen, the

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phosphorus and we hope the PFAS also said Ron is building

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the facility themselves at no expense to any of the

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municipalities that we're going to be using. It. There's

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3, 300,000 tons of capacity. There. Martin County is the

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first municipality to sign up. We're only using 80 tons of

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the capacity. So there's a lot of capacity left. The rate

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payers are going to be pain just about the same amount as

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they do for disposal of biosolids. Now. So there's a

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whole lot of capacity and it's a wonderful way to get rid of

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of biosolids once and for all without doing any harm to the

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environment. So were really, really pleased to to have that

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project online. Thank you, commissioner. drum from Palm

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Beach County. Thank you, Mister Chair. Appreciate

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you're allowing me to sit in for Mayor Baxter, who sends

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her regrets due to a conflict that she had?

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>> I'm happy to report that the county in cooperation with

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the Army Corps of Engineers. We've been working on our Lake

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Worth Lagoon, Bonefish Cove Restoration Island project. We

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are the local sponsor and that project has reached

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substantial completion. It's located south of the Lake

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Worth Bridge and the southern portion of Lake Worth Lagoon.

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And it's going to provide over 28 acres of restored habitat

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for that estuary. I do want to give a shout out because I see

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some of the partners in the audience, but it would not

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have been possible without those partners. And in

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addition to the core and Palm Beach County, additional grant

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funders as well cooperators on sand for the project included

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the Florida inland Navigation district, the port of Palm

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Beach, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission, the

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Florida Department of Environmental Protection in

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the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation. That's just an

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example of how partners or so essential to what we do. I did

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want to report and that our utilities, department or water

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utilities department is submitting 3 resilient Florida

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grant applications for the cycle for a combined total of

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21.1 million dollars. And those are focused on

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incorporating resilient process improvements to our

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wastewater treatment plants in areas of Palm Beach County

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that are and designated disadvantage and or rural

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areas of opportunity, which are many of our glades

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communities. And lastly, I just wanted to report that

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over the summer we have 2 initiatives that rank projects

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that are essential for improving water quality in

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Lake Worth Lagoon. And the Loxahatchee River, the Lake

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Worth Lagoon initiative has forwarded will forward in this

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next legislative session just over 2.8 million dollars of

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projects and for the Loxahatchee River, $450,000 of

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projects. Those represent the top priorities of

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municipalities and those watersheds with a group of

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informed expert people around the table to rank those

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projects. So you get the most bang for the buck. So we've

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been very busy this summer and a lot of get the stuff things

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happening. And again, I appreciate the opportunity of

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reported. Thank you. Thank you very much. Commissioner, Thank

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This real quick I'll touch on biosolids. The real trick

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would be able to figure out how to get rid of everything.

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But the nitrogen nitrogen creates protein and

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>> that be great for the United States of America. The

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state of Florida, if we could utilize all that nitrogen

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essentially free nitrogen, especially with the cost of

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fertilizer right now. Anyway, I'll just put that out there

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tie up the phosphorus, tie up all the bad stuff. Keep the

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nitrogen. Let's figure that out. That's the real the real

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trick there. We did receive Osceola County did receive

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some C 31 Canal restoration money or I guess. Re surfacing

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are shoring up and hopefully south Florida man. And we

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didn't get as much as we want drew. But hopefully you guys

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can do part of the project. That's always how it goes in

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Tallahassee. We've got 3 harvesting projects going on,

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which we're excited about in Lake Tahoe. And then starting

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one soon in Lake Kissimmee, we created the Lakes Advisory

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Committee in our community and that's going really well.

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They're going through a prioritization schedule right

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now They're excited to do that. And just a touch on

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amendment 3. We have put our boat ramp restoration plan on

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holding put a lot of stuff on hold for this this budget year

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just to wait and see what happens. So there will be

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impacts I've always said, I'm gonna do with the people of

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Florida to tell me to do. But just that is one of the

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impacts that we're seeing already. And you discussed one

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as well. So there will be impacts will no matter what

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happens. So. That's all quick today. Thank you, Commissioner

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Commissioner says it's a quiet for Hendry, but I want to take

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a moment to thank Drew. Listen, Tom, that site visit

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last week or last last meeting. For the group that

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was unable to go. You guys missed out on an amazing trip.

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The slides that they're going to shows today.

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>> Show progress. But when you have boots on the ground, you

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really truly experience what they're doing out there. It's

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amazing. I said this back in December of 2024 got on this

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board. I want to be a board of that. We're just gonna see

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here discuss what's going on. I want to be a board of action

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in. We need to be involved as much as we can to help these

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agencies get the funding they need to clean this lake up.

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That's just one of the tools in the toolbox, right? There's

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going to be a lot of other projects, but it's nice. A

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funny C, some funding on the with. There's a lot more that

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needs come down the pike. But I thank you guys for the trip.

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Looking forward to many more projects. Thank you,

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Commissioner Commissioner McDaniel. What's going on

239
00:15:52,830 --> 00:15:56,900
Collier County, are you today? Because good, good, good

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>> as well, kind of quiet and Collier. Just few updates. I'm

241
00:16:01,380 --> 00:16:05,238
really excited about the Northeast Regional Wastewater

242
00:16:05,242 --> 00:16:08,450
Water facility that's been stalled in northeast Collier

243
00:16:08,450 --> 00:16:13,445
County. We already have 2 very large waste, water, water

244
00:16:13,917 --> 00:16:17,121
treatment facilities in Collier, one north and one

245
00:16:17,121 --> 00:16:21,725
down and done on South side. This 3rd will intertwine all 3

246
00:16:21,725 --> 00:16:26,597
allowed capacity to move from one to the other. A little

247
00:16:26,597 --> 00:16:30,534
known story when became a commissioner 9 years ago, my

248
00:16:30,534 --> 00:16:33,471
county manager told me I had storage tanks for wastewater

249
00:16:33,471 --> 00:16:38,742
that were 40 years old and we couldn't take them offline to

250
00:16:38,742 --> 00:16:44,214
do pm for fear disruption to the service of our community.

251
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That's no longer the case. And close to a billion dollars of

252
00:16:49,153 --> 00:16:53,157
investment Collier counties making into life sustaining

253
00:16:53,157 --> 00:16:55,159
critical infrastructure. really excited about it.

254
00:16:55,159 --> 00:16:58,280
There's there's additional piping coming out of that that

255
00:16:58,280 --> 00:17:01,765
goes all the way row. Clear out to state road. 29 for

256
00:17:01,765 --> 00:17:07,165
anybody that's been looking. There is no fence, a

257
00:17:07,371 --> 00:17:10,441
Stateline. There is no wall at my county line. People are

258
00:17:10,441 --> 00:17:14,641
coming and growth and development is inevitable.

259
00:17:15,312 --> 00:17:18,115
we're we're securing waste, water, water supply for those

260
00:17:18,115 --> 00:17:23,515
eastern developments at the same time. So ongoing are

261
00:17:24,188 --> 00:17:28,388
improvements to the Everglades Wastewater Everglade City

262
00:17:29,260 --> 00:17:32,596
Waste, Water Water Treatment plant is doing very well

263
00:17:32,596 --> 00:17:35,666
increasing capacity on a regular basis. And we have

264
00:17:35,666 --> 00:17:41,671
entered into custody for. of Capri to swap them over from

265
00:17:41,671 --> 00:17:45,408
septic to sewer. So that's that's what we're are not

266
00:17:45,408 --> 00:17:48,545
doing anything else. Thank you, sir. Appreciate your

267
00:17:48,545 --> 00:17:52,950
update. Charlotte County. You know, we're continue on with

268
00:17:52,950 --> 00:17:58,210
our master plan for us. Conversions septic to sewer.

269
00:17:58,210 --> 00:18:00,691
>> Just contending with that. plan as laid out by the

270
00:18:00,691 --> 00:18:06,910
consultants and staff. We're also working on in various

271
00:18:06,630 --> 00:18:07,898
stages of design and construction permitting

272
00:18:07,898 --> 00:18:12,698
construction of our water reclamation facility is going

273
00:18:12,970 --> 00:18:15,438
increasing capacity and also going to advanced wastewater

274
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treatment. So that's all going well talk about growth. We had

275
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a report from Metro forecasting came in a few

276
00:18:21,912 --> 00:18:27,912
weeks ago and told us that and from 2020 to 2025, Charlotte

277
00:18:29,186 --> 00:18:32,786
County's population increased 50,000 people. It's Bonita

278
00:18:34,258 --> 00:18:38,662
Springs basically moved into Charlotte County. And so we're

279
00:18:38,662 --> 00:18:43,000
we've got a tremendous amount of. Pressure right now to

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provide services to folks. obviously what's hanging over

281
00:18:47,805 --> 00:18:51,800
all of our heads as amendment network. And it just clarify

282
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because 50,000 is a lot. Charlotte yards. Total

283
00:18:56,881 --> 00:18:58,682
populations to 35 was just going to say on a percentage

284
00:18:58,682 --> 00:19:04,155
basis because Kuz Kuz your colleagues at Nick see issues

285
00:19:04,155 --> 00:19:09,360
like why I want to slice in Charlotte County. It's a big

286
00:19:09,360 --> 00:19:11,362
deal yet to be the is what Charlotte County. 73 was

287
00:19:11,362 --> 00:19:15,366
35,000 folks with their most of the city of P**** Gorda.

288
00:19:15,366 --> 00:19:17,100
>> So anyway, it's moving along amendment threes. The

289
00:19:17,100 --> 00:19:19,236
big, the big deal for all of us trying to figure out what's

290
00:19:19,236 --> 00:19:22,907
going to happen. We're fortunate Charlotte County. A

291
00:19:22,907 --> 00:19:28,712
lot of our our services public works as an example. Our roads

292
00:19:28,712 --> 00:19:33,500
are in various neighborhood. MSP use not have a war. It was

293
00:19:33,500 --> 00:19:36,120
I set those up on this is the county administrator. 45 years

294
00:19:36,120 --> 00:19:39,723
ago never realized important would be. the stand age. So

295
00:19:39,723 --> 00:19:43,928
we're fortunate that way. But wait, we know question

296
00:19:43,928 --> 00:19:45,930
amendment 3 is the big deal going through our budgets

297
00:19:45,930 --> 00:19:48,866
right now trying to figure out what to do. So we have some

298
00:19:48,866 --> 00:19:51,135
hiring freeze things going on, things of that nature. So we

299
00:19:51,135 --> 00:19:54,805
see what really happens. But we will we will work the

300
00:19:54,805 --> 00:19:57,741
problem. As you said, commission didn't have choice.

301
00:19:57,741 --> 00:20:01,212
People will speak and we'll we'll deal with it. So okay.

302
00:20:01,212 --> 00:20:04,748
At this point we're go to agenda item 6, which is

303
00:20:04,748 --> 00:20:06,817
comments from the public on agenda items or do you have

304
00:20:06,817 --> 00:20:13,417
some carts? Thank you very much. Is that Mark Perry? want

305
00:20:20,498 --> 00:20:23,300
to do at the end of the Okay for that, sir. Nickolas

306
00:20:23,300 --> 00:20:29,300
Museum. Mr. Cook. Speak now. Thank you. Newton Cook, United

307
00:20:43,654 --> 00:20:47,390
Waterfowlers of Florida. >> Not much today because

308
00:20:47,390 --> 00:20:50,127
we're sitting here. Happy, happy, happy. The Lakers no

309
00:20:50,127 --> 00:20:54,397
high water. Vegetation is growing and the Ducks are

310
00:20:54,397 --> 00:20:59,536
started to come down. And I just heard also this morning

311
00:20:59,536 --> 00:21:02,939
that the model Ducks in Florida Pollux. It is a large

312
00:21:02,939 --> 00:21:05,475
population of mile ducks on the lake. And that means we

313
00:21:05,475 --> 00:21:08,230
have a healthier life and we have healthy lake for one

314
00:21:08,230 --> 00:21:14,230
reason. reason is water flow. And clear. And ever doubted

315
00:21:16,310 --> 00:21:18,500
not as spray out there, killing everything might pop

316
00:21:18,500 --> 00:21:25,100
up. And nothing but good things to say. As you guys

317
00:21:25,974 --> 00:21:29,978
know. Appreciate this meeting. A lot calls the real people

318
00:21:29,978 --> 00:21:34,116
could make things happen here. So look forward to spending.

319
00:21:34,116 --> 00:21:38,654
Let's review today. Thank you. Thank you, sir. she ate it. We

320
00:21:38,654 --> 00:21:42,324
haven't had any water to send him all summer us. Part of the

321
00:21:42,324 --> 00:21:46,524
Billy Walker. >> the OK, come along where

322
00:21:48,130 --> 00:21:53,401
you are. It. We're up to agency updates. We'll start

323
00:21:53,401 --> 00:21:58,201
with the Army Corps of Engineers. Good morning.

324
00:21:59,675 --> 00:22:04,130
>> Good morning. Good morning. How's everyone Happy Friday at

325
00:22:04,130 --> 00:22:07,749
the front. for landslides, I right now. So couple updates

326
00:22:07,749 --> 00:22:10,419
from the enterprise city. Assistant secretary of the

327
00:22:10,419 --> 00:22:12,888
Army for Civil Works. Mister Adam Till we'll be acting

328
00:22:12,888 --> 00:22:18,760
secretary of the Army. So the decibel feel those rules until

329
00:22:18,760 --> 00:22:19,962
Senate confirmation at the federal level has been

330
00:22:19,962 --> 00:22:23,320
completed on both secretary, the Army and the assistant

331
00:22:23,320 --> 00:22:29,320
secretary. The Army for Civil and then internally Sha. So

332
00:22:30,172 --> 00:22:32,108
South Atlantic Division, Jacksonville district, missive

333
00:22:32,108 --> 00:22:35,644
of who is the was the chief of System branch has been

334
00:22:35,644 --> 00:22:38,647
selected as the IPO. Chief, what does all this mean? So

335
00:22:38,647 --> 00:22:42,318
that is integrated project office over the EA Reservoir

336
00:22:42,318 --> 00:22:45,654
says she's moved out of her role as a chief of

337
00:22:45,654 --> 00:22:51,540
environmental Ecosystem branch to the IPO. Chief whole focus

338
00:22:51,660 --> 00:22:56,398
is now complete in on time by 2029. So if you need anything

339
00:22:56,398 --> 00:22:59,935
from the ecosystem branch that will be missed for Mike Call

340
00:22:59,935 --> 00:23:04,940
us. in interim acting branch chief right now. And I think

341
00:23:04,940 --> 00:23:08,811
that's it from from an overall perspective on. Enterprise,

342
00:23:08,811 --> 00:23:11,880
wide activities Jacksonville district. Quick agenda here.

343
00:23:11,880 --> 00:23:17,686
No big surprises. Again. You can see lot of completion

344
00:23:17,686 --> 00:23:20,556
across the program was surfer specifically a lot of green.

345
00:23:20,556 --> 00:23:22,900
So that means it's good steps moving forward. A lot of

346
00:23:22,900 --> 00:23:25,761
completions as well. lot of stuff still ongoing for for a

347
00:23:25,761 --> 00:23:30,433
lot of the program. But we're seeing. Good progress across

348
00:23:30,433 --> 00:23:34,633
the portfolio, specifically for South Florida ecosystem.

349
00:23:36,439 --> 00:23:38,908
So here are a highlight successes that we've had with.

350
00:23:38,908 --> 00:23:41,776
So we did publish final version of the yes, it's

351
00:23:41,776 --> 00:23:44,513
available on our website as well. We'd execute some PP A's

352
00:23:44,513 --> 00:23:46,715
with South Florida Water Management district under 10.

353
00:23:46,715 --> 00:23:51,530
43 be this is the federal dollars just to non-federal

354
00:23:51,530 --> 00:23:56,258
sponsors so that there's are executed in July. We'd have to

355
00:23:56,258 --> 00:23:58,327
what's called Packers. Both officers Ation change. Reports

356
00:23:58,327 --> 00:24:00,595
are completed. So there are with headquarters or the NSA's

357
00:24:00,595 --> 00:24:04,650
office for completion to submit to Congress to be able

358
00:24:04,650 --> 00:24:08,603
to get those increased funds for those projects. We have 3

359
00:24:08,603 --> 00:24:11,673
operational updates. We do have the combined operations

360
00:24:11,673 --> 00:24:13,942
multi-year cop, what's called a copy of the Asian has been

361
00:24:13,942 --> 00:24:18,547
approved. So that's been great. And we're working with

362
00:24:18,547 --> 00:24:20,883
our South Florida the stakeholders on the per

363
00:24:20,883 --> 00:24:24,487
ability plan for a to STA get incremental benefits out of

364
00:24:24,487 --> 00:24:28,490
that when water available and I roll System operating manual

365
00:24:28,490 --> 00:24:33,495
as well as been updated. C 44 specifically. And then then we

366
00:24:33,495 --> 00:24:35,831
as commissioner heard mentioned, we did come

367
00:24:35,831 --> 00:24:39,702
complete the TSE. 23 C 24 STA system conducted the Interim

368
00:24:39,702 --> 00:24:41,370
Pump Station award. So that's moving forward to. So we ought

369
00:24:41,370 --> 00:24:44,706
to be until we get the reservoir is online have in

370
00:24:44,706 --> 00:24:47,442
Rome up ability to be able to treat some water there on

371
00:24:47,442 --> 00:24:54,420
Northern basin of real system. Again, we've got a lot going

372
00:24:54,183 --> 00:24:58,921
on. number one priority from the essay in for Jacksonville

373
00:24:58,921 --> 00:25:00,389
District is EA 2 reservoir. So that is top priority to finish

374
00:25:00,389 --> 00:25:04,793
up by 2029. So we are on track on that will briefly talk

375
00:25:04,793 --> 00:25:09,593
about that. We're still moving forward. Keeping management

376
00:25:09,665 --> 00:25:10,999
storm track for award for the seepage management feature in

377
00:25:10,999 --> 00:25:15,199
2027 with completion. In 2020 2030, 2031 based team P we're

378
00:25:16,806 --> 00:25:19,875
still moving forward with the remainder of the North

379
00:25:19,875 --> 00:25:23,946
Reservoir design. So that's moving forward. Ferraro. We're

380
00:25:23,946 --> 00:25:28,150
still moving forward with the pump station for C 23. 24 and

381
00:25:28,150 --> 00:25:31,687
then set the A's still moving forward along with sub South.

382
00:25:31,687 --> 00:25:36,158
67 looks like it'll be completing later next year. So

383
00:25:36,158 --> 00:25:37,560
we'll have a ribbon-cutting sometime in 2027 for that as

384
00:25:37,560 --> 00:25:43,498
well. So there's some updates from the photos. And so folks

385
00:25:43,498 --> 00:25:44,900
can kind of see what the St looks like. So right now it's

386
00:25:44,900 --> 00:25:48,504
just it's got grass and it. But we'll work with South

387
00:25:48,504 --> 00:25:50,306
Florida. Water Management district will will have final

388
00:25:50,306 --> 00:25:53,442
grade on it. So it's just coming back and planting. And

389
00:25:53,442 --> 00:25:54,910
getting those hydrated of orders available to keep the

390
00:25:54,910 --> 00:26:00,480
STA Healthy and tool. We have pump station been fried, flows

391
00:26:00,480 --> 00:26:01,516
out of the canals, be able to keep it moving and filtering

392
00:26:01,516 --> 00:26:06,388
water throughout the system. And this is the pump station

393
00:26:06,388 --> 00:26:09,524
on the North Reservoir. So this crews actually ahead of

394
00:26:09,524 --> 00:26:13,528
schedule right now. This is being done to it and are

395
00:26:13,528 --> 00:26:17,466
working at nights because of the heat, but as as record our

396
00:26:17,466 --> 00:26:19,534
Publix tradition back to daytime up operations. But

397
00:26:19,534 --> 00:26:23,938
they're moving 6 days a week. I am 0.24 hours, but mainly

398
00:26:23,938 --> 00:26:26,208
pouring concrete in. given our military standards and

399
00:26:26,208 --> 00:26:30,612
specifications for that as well. So no, no major It's

400
00:26:30,612 --> 00:26:33,949
it's doing great. And there's some some and Hamas between

401
00:26:33,949 --> 00:26:39,870
construction division and are at quarters. Colonel Bowman is

402
00:26:39,870 --> 00:26:41,890
saying or other contractors or 60 or 90 days ahead of

403
00:26:41,890 --> 00:26:42,958
schedule can move this to last. So they're working on

404
00:26:42,958 --> 00:26:45,561
try to move it to the left to get this completed early as

405
00:26:45,561 --> 00:26:51,366
well. So it's all great news for our world. Completed the

406
00:26:51,366 --> 00:26:53,235
Kissimmee River restoration projects to the head were

407
00:26:53,235 --> 00:26:55,637
schedules online. We're working through all see right

408
00:26:55,637 --> 00:26:57,906
now. We're looking for no significant impacts there. So

409
00:26:57,906 --> 00:27:01,420
that should be signed next. December's. That's great news

410
00:27:01,420 --> 00:27:04,312
as well. She 43 Ys, South Florida water management

411
00:27:04,312 --> 00:27:08,450
district. So that's great. And then set up one still ongoing.

412
00:27:08,450 --> 00:27:09,785
So we're on track right now for record of decision and

413
00:27:09,785 --> 00:27:15,190
December 27 as well. So this some pops that we have right

414
00:27:15,190 --> 00:27:19,710
now. So it'll be great. Once we get that other good

415
00:27:19,710 --> 00:27:21,607
highlight news is as we're moving the acceleration of

416
00:27:21,607 --> 00:27:23,900
that also means you have to have a water plant to be able

417
00:27:23,900 --> 00:27:27,547
to fill it. So we are moving forward on the initial full

418
00:27:27,547 --> 00:27:29,615
plan we're doing are scoping right now. We've completed a

419
00:27:29,615 --> 00:27:31,170
lot of internal meetings with South Florida, want to mention

420
00:27:31,170 --> 00:27:34,954
district an internal agencies and resource agencies also be

421
00:27:34,954 --> 00:27:36,756
able start rolling this out for public comment and input

422
00:27:36,756 --> 00:27:42,756
over the next several months. then we still are moving

423
00:27:42,896 --> 00:27:45,231
through and Rummel assessments and other things as well. And

424
00:27:45,231 --> 00:27:49,969
we're looking for no significant impact as well

425
00:27:49,969 --> 00:27:53,372
from Brown respective and hopefully have that 2028,

426
00:27:53,372 --> 00:27:57,643
which will go into effect 2029 actually do go in effect

427
00:27:57,643 --> 00:27:58,911
January 2030. So we can start to initial feel on that

428
00:27:58,911 --> 00:28:04,911
facility as well. All within foundation in bank. Then we'll

429
00:28:07,653 --> 00:28:10,656
talk on the highlight. Those in the other siletz coming up.

430
00:28:10,656 --> 00:28:12,525
We kind of already mentioned all these things. South

431
00:28:12,525 --> 00:28:16,796
Florida will will brief their projects as well. Again, this

432
00:28:16,796 --> 00:28:18,865
is just to orient to where we are talking about a 2 area

433
00:28:18,865 --> 00:28:23,336
within just south of the lake. All right there in the blue.

434
00:28:23,336 --> 00:28:28,136
The STA was completed January 2024. Question, Think so.

435
00:28:30,276 --> 00:28:31,611
Florida probably has to date on that. I'm kind of fuzzy

436
00:28:31,611 --> 00:28:36,750
with all So this is the foundation contract. So this

437
00:28:36,750 --> 00:28:40,553
is called within our paradigm. So this this is called what's

438
00:28:40,553 --> 00:28:44,224
gonna racetrack map? What I'd like to highlight to use

439
00:28:44,224 --> 00:28:46,759
bottom right corner. First before we look at all the

440
00:28:46,759 --> 00:28:50,896
other data. So the bottom right corner, you see it says

441
00:28:50,896 --> 00:28:53,320
accepted by uses. So this is what's gone through the

442
00:28:53,320 --> 00:28:56,836
quality assurance process within the federal system. We

443
00:28:56,836 --> 00:28:58,171
accept that and immediately have to that over to 11 be

444
00:28:58,171 --> 00:29:02,442
because the federal government doesn't own anything. What is

445
00:29:02,442 --> 00:29:03,710
the inner area between the final product in the end user

446
00:29:03,710 --> 00:29:09,315
South Florida Water Management district. Now, if you look at

447
00:29:09,315 --> 00:29:13,119
all all the now, if you look at the with all of colors on

448
00:29:13,119 --> 00:29:15,321
it, that is showing us the in the center there you have a

449
00:29:15,321 --> 00:29:18,124
process of how we have to get after putting the foundation

450
00:29:18,124 --> 00:29:22,127
down. So you have to clean the material. Porous. Limestone

451
00:29:22,127 --> 00:29:24,931
capstone, then you have to what's controlled fulfill on

452
00:29:24,931 --> 00:29:28,601
it. And engineering structures the permit would permit

453
00:29:28,601 --> 00:29:30,470
ability of it. You know, it's a solid structure across the

454
00:29:30,470 --> 00:29:33,673
limestone and then you can put your top cover on it. After

455
00:29:33,673 --> 00:29:36,609
that. So you can see the green is completed. So that's good.

456
00:29:36,609 --> 00:29:38,410
And you can see that we're moving out on all headings,

457
00:29:38,410 --> 00:29:41,414
which is also amazing and they can see where we are on the

458
00:29:41,414 --> 00:29:45,217
cut off all the stuck. How that's the cutoff was just

459
00:29:45,217 --> 00:29:46,553
acronym that, you know, Army loves its acronyms. So that's

460
00:29:46,553 --> 00:29:49,822
where we are on that. We're currently ahead of schedule

461
00:29:49,822 --> 00:29:51,958
when we summon the slide and I think are actually a few more

462
00:29:51,958 --> 00:29:53,760
days ahead of schedule right now, which is great on since

463
00:29:53,760 --> 00:29:55,695
we haven't had the rain so they can be able to work

464
00:29:55,695 --> 00:29:59,320
through that. With that in the worry about on site waters as

465
00:29:59,320 --> 00:30:02,101
well. So it's been great right now currently at 40% on total

466
00:30:02,101 --> 00:30:05,237
contract. Again, this is based on extra payments. that based

467
00:30:05,237 --> 00:30:09,842
on physical work that's been done? That's that's how the

468
00:30:09,842 --> 00:30:11,911
federal system work. So just to highlight that little bit

469
00:30:11,911 --> 00:30:13,980
different than actual substantial completion on

470
00:30:13,980 --> 00:30:16,516
teachers of work that are required contracts little bit

471
00:30:16,516 --> 00:30:18,318
different. How we look at that and make payments or

472
00:30:18,318 --> 00:30:23,189
contractor. Now we move to 11 This is actually the

473
00:30:23,189 --> 00:30:25,570
embankment material that creates the embankment and the

474
00:30:25,570 --> 00:30:28,728
feel on the outside in the river up that protects that

475
00:30:28,728 --> 00:30:30,596
you see the blue green is what's been turned over to

476
00:30:30,596 --> 00:30:32,464
that contractors. It's a different contractor.

477
00:30:32,464 --> 00:30:34,867
Executing that. But you can see they have a different type

478
00:30:34,867 --> 00:30:37,603
of work effort. So they're doing on site processing.

479
00:30:37,603 --> 00:30:42,275
material was questioned in mining and they have to create

480
00:30:42,275 --> 00:30:44,544
that material create embankment on that. So that's

481
00:30:44,544 --> 00:30:50,749
what you see. Here all the data. has to go with that to

482
00:30:50,749 --> 00:30:53,850
highlight. Here is we have to bring in materials

483
00:30:53,850 --> 00:30:55,755
specifically granted United States mining facilities here

484
00:30:55,755 --> 00:30:58,910
doesn't have the quantity of grant and we need import

485
00:30:58,910 --> 00:31:03,491
Canada and through Jamaica. So that creates other logistical

486
00:31:04,230 --> 00:31:05,564
challenges. Because after the U.S. flag vessels, we're

487
00:31:05,564 --> 00:31:06,966
working through that all that we only have one more shipment

488
00:31:06,966 --> 00:31:11,370
of granite that's required for the projects that's great. And

489
00:31:11,370 --> 00:31:13,973
Palm Beach County been great supporters of help and support

490
00:31:13,973 --> 00:31:16,242
as we have frustrated cargo. So it's been amazing to work

491
00:31:16,242 --> 00:31:18,912
through no major changes. And we are ahead of schedule is so

492
00:31:18,912 --> 00:31:22,382
as well. And the contractor has great ideas. During the

493
00:31:22,382 --> 00:31:27,530
wet season switched extremely what this dry season, which

494
00:31:27,530 --> 00:31:29,550
will create challenges from a construction standpoint. But

495
00:31:29,550 --> 00:31:32,124
they have a great method of a hangar that rules with them

496
00:31:32,124 --> 00:31:33,793
still be able to complete the embankment and sections. And

497
00:31:33,793 --> 00:31:38,640
will this huge hanger across to get to keep their area

498
00:31:38,640 --> 00:31:40,733
juror say and do placements and as we do or inspections to

499
00:31:40,733 --> 00:31:42,100
make sure we have court of control on the embankment

500
00:31:42,100 --> 00:31:46,472
itself. Again, this is a cut out. This is very technical,

501
00:31:46,472 --> 00:31:49,342
but you can see how that the contracts are broken up. So

502
00:31:49,342 --> 00:31:52,612
that is the foundation and cut off. And then they let be

503
00:31:52,612 --> 00:31:54,130
contractors, everything else. So they have to do some

504
00:31:54,130 --> 00:31:57,160
engineering features with drainage as well. See which

505
00:31:57,160 --> 00:32:00,486
managed within the facility itself. To make sure we can

506
00:32:00,486 --> 00:32:01,887
hold that embankment of 23 feet with inside the facility

507
00:32:01,887 --> 00:32:07,887
itself. 67 is wrapping up. So we're major issues there. So

508
00:32:10,290 --> 00:32:11,363
we'll be able to have a ribbon-cutting next year's.

509
00:32:11,363 --> 00:32:15,902
It'll be great news for Blue Shanty. And then I'm available

510
00:32:15,902 --> 00:32:21,302
for questions or this any questions or comments. The

511
00:32:21,707 --> 00:32:24,643
court I just thank you so much for the update on C 43

512
00:32:24,643 --> 00:32:27,580
reservoir in the P palm. That's huge lots of

513
00:32:27,580 --> 00:32:29,849
ramifications for the Caloosahatchee. So Lee County

514
00:32:29,849 --> 00:32:32,384
where >> we're watching, you are in

515
00:32:32,384 --> 00:32:33,719
lockstep with you. And we just want to say in his much

516
00:32:33,719 --> 00:32:36,789
communication as we can on that one. The one question

517
00:32:36,789 --> 00:32:39,791
just how is, when do you think we'll get an update on that?

518
00:32:39,791 --> 00:32:44,630
You know, the latest draft or the P palm and then how much

519
00:32:44,630 --> 00:32:45,398
time with stakeholders have add additional comments or

520
00:32:45,398 --> 00:32:48,998
discuss? >> So I have to specifically

521
00:32:49,335 --> 00:32:51,137
look at the dates on that, but I can get back with you, So I

522
00:32:51,137 --> 00:32:56,742
can tell you that I know that I met with some of the county

523
00:32:56,742 --> 00:32:58,610
folks as well as any time. There's the issue or

524
00:32:58,610 --> 00:33:02,815
discrepancy. If you let me know I can. I can help the

525
00:33:02,815 --> 00:33:05,170
process. But we are under different rules now. But I

526
00:33:05,170 --> 00:33:07,353
will try help you as best I can and will get you

527
00:33:07,353 --> 00:33:09,555
information you need to be able to have. The staff

528
00:33:09,555 --> 00:33:12,358
expects acute or recordings from from Lee County.

529
00:33:12,358 --> 00:33:13,826
>> Thank you. And I thank you for your coronation with 13.

530
00:33:13,826 --> 00:33:16,562
You can really wonderful, helpful. We any other comments

531
00:33:16,562 --> 00:33:21,100
or questions. Seeing none. Thank you, sir. Appreciate

532
00:33:21,100 --> 00:33:23,969
your update. Next. We have the South Florida Water Management

533
00:33:23,969 --> 00:33:27,569
District. for Good morning. Good morning.

534
00:33:39,796 --> 00:33:42,932
>> I'm Jennifer Reynolds. The director of ecosystem

535
00:33:42,932 --> 00:33:44,601
restoration at South Florida Water Management District's.

536
00:33:44,601 --> 00:33:50,100
Thank you so much for. >> Having me this meeting.

537
00:33:52,342 --> 00:33:55,546
Major Bell gave you a really broad overview of all the

538
00:33:55,546 --> 00:33:59,820
projects that we're working on together, which gives me the

539
00:33:59,820 --> 00:34:01,170
opportunity. >> To do a little bit of a

540
00:34:01,170 --> 00:34:03,287
different presentation for you today. And today I'm going to

541
00:34:03,287 --> 00:34:09,159
focus on the lake and on water quality. And so I don't have a

542
00:34:09,159 --> 00:34:14,559
lot of project updates for you this meetings. Presentation,

543
00:34:16,834 --> 00:34:20,360
but I will look forward to giving you a project update at

544
00:34:20,360 --> 00:34:22,372
our next meeting. But I hope that you'll enjoy this

545
00:34:22,372 --> 00:34:24,975
presentation to update you on some of the other work that

546
00:34:24,975 --> 00:34:31,982
we're doing And so let's start with the lake. When you get to

547
00:34:31,982 --> 00:34:34,984
FWC is presentation. They're also going to give you some

548
00:34:34,984 --> 00:34:36,319
updates. So there's some things that I don't have the

549
00:34:36,319 --> 00:34:38,188
specifics on because FWC is going to update you on those

550
00:34:38,188 --> 00:34:42,392
in a minute. But I did want to tell you about a few projects

551
00:34:42,392 --> 00:34:46,930
that we've been working on. And one is the Dema king of

552
00:34:46,930 --> 00:34:49,332
the navigational botox. And so I'm showing you here. The s

553
00:34:49,332 --> 00:34:55,400
one. 35 o'clock. This is the one at the Janice Fish camp in

554
00:34:55,400 --> 00:34:57,874
Martin County. And so this is what it looked like before.

555
00:34:57,874 --> 00:35:03,413
You can see that there's a lot of vegetation in the basin.

556
00:35:03,413 --> 00:35:06,160
And so with brought some equipment in. And started Dima

557
00:35:06,160 --> 00:35:12,160
King. They removed about 8,000 cubic yards of muck from this

558
00:35:15,692 --> 00:35:22,292
boat lock. And that's what it looked like. After that. a

559
00:35:22,899 --> 00:35:27,971
king so huge improvement that we're taking an opportunity to

560
00:35:27,971 --> 00:35:30,240
do some of this work this year. While the lake levels

561
00:35:30,240 --> 00:35:35,712
are low. In addition, FWC is going to tell you about our

562
00:35:35,712 --> 00:35:42,912
burned plans. And one of the other ways that we need to

563
00:35:43,520 --> 00:35:46,456
manage vegetation, particularly Brazilian pepper.

564
00:35:46,456 --> 00:35:51,595
And so these are some pictures and some of the treatment area

565
00:35:51,595 --> 00:35:54,865
location of Brazilian pepper and also Indian Rosewood. We

566
00:35:54,865 --> 00:35:57,670
sweep for that as well. When we do Brazilian pepper work,

567
00:35:57,670 --> 00:36:02,467
it's treated similarly. And so we treated swept untreated

568
00:36:02,805 --> 00:36:06,476
over 1200 acres on Lake Okeechobee in the North Marsh

569
00:36:06,476 --> 00:36:12,476
for Brazilian pepper in order to keep this invasive species

570
00:36:12,616 --> 00:36:16,153
from really creating really terrible habitat on the lake.

571
00:36:16,153 --> 00:36:21,358
So the reason that we treat Brazilian pepper is because it

572
00:36:21,358 --> 00:36:24,294
produces a canopy that is really terrible habitat and

573
00:36:24,294 --> 00:36:27,697
prevents all of our native species from being able to

574
00:36:27,697 --> 00:36:32,435
create the kind of habitat that are birds and other

575
00:36:32,435 --> 00:36:35,505
animals and plants enjoy around the lake. And so this

576
00:36:35,505 --> 00:36:41,505
has been really successful the summer. And then we've also

577
00:36:42,179 --> 00:36:46,783
done over 66,000 plantings in Lake Okeechobee. Here's the

578
00:36:46,783 --> 00:36:52,783
picture we have star of our show here. Commissioner here.

579
00:36:54,992 --> 00:37:00,197
And then our photos from from the visit that you all made

580
00:37:00,197 --> 00:37:02,799
out to these locations on at the last meeting. And so we

581
00:37:02,799 --> 00:37:08,471
really appreciate the support and all of the recognition of

582
00:37:08,471 --> 00:37:11,274
how important it seems like small areas, right? These are

583
00:37:11,274 --> 00:37:16,413
seemingly tiny areas. But in each of these bays, if we can

584
00:37:16,413 --> 00:37:20,350
make improvements in all of these small micro habitats, it

585
00:37:20,350 --> 00:37:24,220
starts to make a real big difference. And it definitely

586
00:37:24,220 --> 00:37:25,622
makes a difference in those areas. And so we're going to

587
00:37:25,622 --> 00:37:31,622
continue doing this work. Drew has challenged the staff to

588
00:37:32,361 --> 00:37:37,100
keep a list of all the projects that we can do along

589
00:37:37,100 --> 00:37:41,905
the lake. And so we have a menu so to speak of Lake

590
00:37:41,905 --> 00:37:45,775
Okeechobee projects that are part of a 10 year plan for us

591
00:37:45,775 --> 00:37:49,913
to make improvements along the lake. And we're focused on

592
00:37:49,913 --> 00:37:54,984
nearshore habitats that will improve fishing as well as

593
00:37:54,984 --> 00:38:01,584
habitat for fisheries for our sea grasses and 4, all of the

594
00:38:02,925 --> 00:38:06,463
species that really enjoy the lake, but also for the people

595
00:38:06,463 --> 00:38:11,100
who recreate at the lake. And so we're focused on keeping

596
00:38:11,100 --> 00:38:14,403
those going as funding is available for us to continue

597
00:38:14,403 --> 00:38:19,803
to make improvements on Lake Okeechobee. And then again,

598
00:38:21,210 --> 00:38:24,146
FWC is going to tell you a little bit more about them

599
00:38:24,146 --> 00:38:27,684
occur removal. But I wanted to set the stage for their

600
00:38:27,684 --> 00:38:30,419
presentation we've talked a lot about the muck removal

601
00:38:30,419 --> 00:38:36,920
that was done in 2007 and harkened. Back to that is like

602
00:38:36,920 --> 00:38:37,427
we've got to do more of that. When the lake it's low, we've

603
00:38:37,427 --> 00:38:42,165
got to do more machir removal. Well, this year we did it. In

604
00:38:42,165 --> 00:38:46,169
fact, we did about twice as much as we did in 2007. So

605
00:38:46,169 --> 00:38:49,305
thanks again for the support for pushing all of the

606
00:38:49,305 --> 00:38:50,974
agencies to work together so that we could be in a position

607
00:38:50,974 --> 00:38:54,577
to make this happen. And again, we are going to

608
00:38:54,577 --> 00:38:57,981
continue to be postured that when we have local lake levels

609
00:38:57,981 --> 00:39:03,530
that we can continue this work along the areas of Lake

610
00:39:03,530 --> 00:39:09,993
Okeechobee, where we can make this happen. And so as we move

611
00:39:09,993 --> 00:39:14,793
from Lake Okeechobee in 2, the central and southern

612
00:39:15,465 --> 00:39:18,670
Everglades delivering clean water for the Everglades is

613
00:39:18,670 --> 00:39:23,873
what we do. And it's really important for us to stay

614
00:39:23,873 --> 00:39:29,873
focused on that. And we have been working in collaboration

615
00:39:30,130 --> 00:39:34,813
with the basins that contribute water to Lake

616
00:39:35,418 --> 00:39:39,890
Okeechobee and then moving at south into the Everglades. And

617
00:39:39,890 --> 00:39:44,489
so it's a collaboration and a partnership between the

618
00:39:44,572 --> 00:39:49,372
basins, agricultural and municipal that have run off

619
00:39:50,440 --> 00:39:54,649
that go into our canals and watersheds and the water

620
00:39:54,649 --> 00:39:58,520
management district and how we clean that water. And so our

621
00:39:58,520 --> 00:40:05,120
partners in. have been doing a great job. And again, this

622
00:40:07,529 --> 00:40:11,465
year had a total phosphorus reduction. Based on the

623
00:40:11,465 --> 00:40:17,672
activities that they are doing on farm to have a phosphorus

624
00:40:17,672 --> 00:40:21,342
reduction of 65% in water year 2026. And so this chart shows

625
00:40:21,342 --> 00:40:25,279
their annual reduction required by law. They're

626
00:40:25,279 --> 00:40:29,884
required to reduce their phosphorus levels from the

627
00:40:29,884 --> 00:40:35,284
baseline. a minimum of 25%. And you can see. They're

628
00:40:36,690 --> 00:40:43,890
really doing a great job this year. Likewise in the C one.

629
00:40:47,302 --> 00:40:52,507
39 basin. And this is out West. Again, the calculations

630
00:40:52,507 --> 00:40:54,776
are down a little bit differently in the C one. 39

631
00:40:54,776 --> 00:41:00,176
basin, but the is diamonds show the requirements. So

632
00:41:03,250 --> 00:41:04,652
there are not allowed to exceed these requirements. And

633
00:41:04,652 --> 00:41:09,390
you can see again that they are reducing the phosphorus

634
00:41:09,390 --> 00:41:14,790
numbers. In order to stay under those requirements and

635
00:41:15,663 --> 00:41:19,800
really significantly stay under those requirements. And

636
00:41:19,800 --> 00:41:22,736
so C one 39 basin also exceeded all of their total

637
00:41:22,736 --> 00:41:26,936
phosphorus reduction requirements. And so then what

638
00:41:27,208 --> 00:41:30,770
does that mean for our projects? Well, it means that

639
00:41:30,770 --> 00:41:31,479
all these projects that we've been working on with

640
00:41:31,479 --> 00:41:36,279
restoration strategies and all of the stormwater treatment

641
00:41:36,751 --> 00:41:39,153
areas that the water management district has built

642
00:41:39,153 --> 00:41:44,625
are also performing well and that means that we are

643
00:41:44,625 --> 00:41:47,495
reducing phosphorus in our water conservation areas. And

644
00:41:47,495 --> 00:41:52,100
so these are the first places where we deliver water to the

645
00:41:52,100 --> 00:41:55,360
Everglades. Right? So here's the refuge, water conservation

646
00:41:55,360 --> 00:42:00,174
area. our conservation area, 3. And this just shows the

647
00:42:00,174 --> 00:42:05,450
reductions from the baseline period in the late 70's and

648
00:42:05,450 --> 00:42:09,451
the 1980's of what you could see it with the parts per

649
00:42:09,451 --> 00:42:14,251
billion of phosphorus. Bmp implementation and then our

650
00:42:15,523 --> 00:42:18,792
stormwater treatment areas coming online and you can see

651
00:42:18,792 --> 00:42:23,798
the levels of phosphorus in these areas. Now. And so this

652
00:42:23,798 --> 00:42:26,534
is much clear water that we're delivering to habitats that

653
00:42:26,534 --> 00:42:29,337
are enjoyed by lots of species throughout our water

654
00:42:29,337 --> 00:42:33,537
conservation areas. And that's delivering water quality

655
00:42:36,611 --> 00:42:40,548
results at all of our monitoring stations. And so

656
00:42:40,548 --> 00:42:45,487
you can see that in water year 2025. More than 98% of the

657
00:42:45,487 --> 00:42:48,289
Everglades Protection area achieve the phosphorus levels

658
00:42:48,289 --> 00:42:50,358
that meet the state water quality standards of less than

659
00:42:50,358 --> 00:42:54,362
10 parts per billion. And so that's what you see in these

660
00:42:54,362 --> 00:42:56,697
all these little dots. So these are all of our

661
00:42:56,697 --> 00:42:59,634
monitoring stations where we monitor the phosphorus levels

662
00:42:59,634 --> 00:43:05,172
in the Everglades. And you can see that in 1980's. There's

663
00:43:05,172 --> 00:43:10,572
lots of red dots. In the current monitoring period.

664
00:43:11,245 --> 00:43:16,117
There's lots of green dots and so water quality matters. All

665
00:43:16,117 --> 00:43:20,540
the projects that we're doing matter. All of the bmp is

666
00:43:20,540 --> 00:43:23,570
matter. And the partnership together to make this happen

667
00:43:23,570 --> 00:43:28,129
in deliver real results that improve water quality and

668
00:43:28,129 --> 00:43:29,997
improve. The habitats in the Everglades are working and

669
00:43:29,997 --> 00:43:35,402
we're going to keep at it. And we're going to keep at that

670
00:43:35,402 --> 00:43:38,405
with the projects that we're working on the improvements

671
00:43:38,405 --> 00:43:42,410
that we're doing and the operations that go with And so

672
00:43:42,410 --> 00:43:46,790
our team is working day in and day out to not only maintain

673
00:43:46,790 --> 00:43:52,790
these results but continue to improve on them. And that

674
00:43:52,553 --> 00:43:55,489
means that we're also going to continue working on the

675
00:43:55,489 --> 00:43:57,558
project. So that major Bell talked about. He talked a

676
00:43:57,558 --> 00:44:01,295
little bit about this, first of a kind signing agreement in

677
00:44:01,295 --> 00:44:06,695
July of 2025. the governor. Signed an agreement. In order

678
00:44:10,370 --> 00:44:14,575
to start a new phase with the federal government and really

679
00:44:14,575 --> 00:44:17,575
expedite Everglades restoration partnership way

680
00:44:18,713 --> 00:44:24,118
with the federal government. And then in July of this year,

681
00:44:24,118 --> 00:44:28,189
we signed 2 agreements that allow the state, the South

682
00:44:28,189 --> 00:44:31,525
Florida water Management district to use federal

683
00:44:31,525 --> 00:44:35,930
dollars to construct some of these Everglades restoration

684
00:44:35,930 --> 00:44:38,650
In addition to the work that the federal government is

685
00:44:38,650 --> 00:44:42,336
doing through the Army Corps of Engineers and the work that

686
00:44:42,336 --> 00:44:43,804
the state is doing through the South Florida Water Management

687
00:44:43,804 --> 00:44:47,808
District. Now there's a new partnership. And it's called

688
00:44:47,808 --> 00:44:50,277
the 10 43 be. And that just has to do with the legislation

689
00:44:50,277 --> 00:44:53,480
that allows this to happen. That was authorized by

690
00:44:53,480 --> 00:44:58,152
Congress. But what that does is it allows the state to ask

691
00:44:58,152 --> 00:45:02,689
for federal dollars to expedite projects that were

692
00:45:02,689 --> 00:45:07,280
really good at in order to help move Everglades

693
00:45:07,280 --> 00:45:11,832
restoration along not only quicker but cheaper as well.

694
00:45:11,832 --> 00:45:15,703
And so there are 2 project agreements that we signed. One

695
00:45:15,703 --> 00:45:20,775
is for the seepage pump station at the EA Reservoir.

696
00:45:20,775 --> 00:45:23,177
We deliver that package for solicitation to the Corps of

697
00:45:23,177 --> 00:45:27,648
Engineers about 2 weeks ago. They have 30 days to review it

698
00:45:27,648 --> 00:45:30,785
and provide their feedback back to us so that we can put

699
00:45:30,785 --> 00:45:33,454
that solicitation on the street. So we're looking

700
00:45:33,454 --> 00:45:36,723
forward to doing that in the coming weeks. And then the

701
00:45:36,723 --> 00:45:40,795
second agreement is for the blue shanty flow way. And so

702
00:45:40,795 --> 00:45:43,797
we are putting that package together and look forward to

703
00:45:43,797 --> 00:45:47,401
delivering that to the Corps of Engineers later this

704
00:45:47,401 --> 00:45:49,748
calendar year so that we can go out for solicitation on

705
00:45:49,748 --> 00:45:54,219
that project as well. And with that project that will

706
00:45:54,219 --> 00:45:59,230
basically complete and put in 2 construction. All of the

707
00:45:59,230 --> 00:46:05,564
phases of SAP. And so it's a huge achievement. Our teams

708
00:46:05,564 --> 00:46:09,968
are working together very closely. Major Bell talked

709
00:46:09,968 --> 00:46:13,370
about some of the changes in the leadership that they have

710
00:46:13,370 --> 00:46:15,640
at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. I will assure you

711
00:46:15,640 --> 00:46:19,711
that we are continuing to work together extremely closely.

712
00:46:19,711 --> 00:46:25,784
None of that slows anything down Mike Hollis, who is now

713
00:46:25,784 --> 00:46:30,856
the chief over the ecosystem branch for the Corps of

714
00:46:30,856 --> 00:46:32,658
Engineers has been there for a long time. He's been the

715
00:46:32,658 --> 00:46:36,794
second in command under Eva for a long time. And so it's

716
00:46:36,794 --> 00:46:40,198
really no changes what they go through those transitions. It

717
00:46:40,198 --> 00:46:42,734
makes us continue to work together seamlessly. And we're

718
00:46:42,734 --> 00:46:46,938
just so proud to be part of this partnership moving

719
00:46:46,938 --> 00:46:51,138
Everglades restoration along. With that. take your

720
00:46:51,543 --> 00:46:53,678
questions. Very good. Thank you very much for your

721
00:46:53,678 --> 00:46:54,680
presentation. comments or questions?

722
00:46:54,680 --> 00:46:58,216
>> I think you >> I just want to kind little

723
00:46:58,216 --> 00:47:02,154
update on the C 43 reservoir do we know how much water is

724
00:47:02,154 --> 00:47:08,154
in the reservoir right now? >> Right now we just hit

725
00:47:08,627 --> 00:47:12,564
elevation. 24 and so next week at our governing board

726
00:47:12,564 --> 00:47:16,635
meeting, we do plan on giving a little sneak preview of what

727
00:47:16,635 --> 00:47:20,171
that looks like in the reservoir and giving a a

728
00:47:20,171 --> 00:47:23,509
greater update on how that's going. How the initial Phyllis

729
00:47:23,509 --> 00:47:24,776
going. >> Now with real time and the

730
00:47:24,776 --> 00:47:28,247
heavy rains that we're experiencing. Is there a

731
00:47:28,247 --> 00:47:31,116
possibility where we can start to utilize pumping some of the

732
00:47:31,116 --> 00:47:36,188
water into the reservoir as we know are collecting this heavy

733
00:47:36,188 --> 00:47:37,522
rainfall. >> Yes, as waters available,

734
00:47:37,522 --> 00:47:40,526
we are putting water into the reservoir in accordance with

735
00:47:40,526 --> 00:47:44,997
the initial feel plan. And so depending on how much it

736
00:47:44,997 --> 00:47:50,680
rains, we may be able to capture a lot or we may need

737
00:47:50,680 --> 00:47:52,538
to hold the levels at the reservoir consistent with our

738
00:47:52,538 --> 00:47:55,406
initial feel plan. >> And speaking of the filth

739
00:47:55,406 --> 00:48:02,606
plant, do we have any timeline for the next raise and not.

740
00:48:04,820 --> 00:48:05,617
>> We do. I don't have that in front of me. But we do have a

741
00:48:05,617 --> 00:48:11,223
very deliberate plan that allows us to accept water as

742
00:48:11,223 --> 00:48:15,423
it's available and then progressively Phil, the

743
00:48:15,828 --> 00:48:21,228
reservoir and monitor the reservoir and the impacts to

744
00:48:21,300 --> 00:48:25,303
those fillings on the reservoir embankment as well

745
00:48:25,303 --> 00:48:30,375
as be able to test all of the monitoring equipment for the

746
00:48:30,375 --> 00:48:32,377
reservoir itself. >> And just remind me how far

747
00:48:32,377 --> 00:48:37,449
into the test team are we now? Like, what percentage are we

748
00:48:37,449 --> 00:48:39,384
almost done where we can release this thing? You know,

749
00:48:39,384 --> 00:48:42,320
I'm I'm afraid to report that were not almost done. So the

750
00:48:42,320 --> 00:48:46,858
initial feel plan will take about 2 to 3 years. Total,

751
00:48:46,858 --> 00:48:49,994
wonderful. But there are limited operations that we can

752
00:48:49,994 --> 00:48:54,532
also conduct during initial Phil. So releasing water is

753
00:48:54,532 --> 00:48:58,300
also part of the initial feel plan that allows us to test

754
00:48:58,300 --> 00:49:02,340
all of the different components of the rest of our

755
00:49:02,340 --> 00:49:07,412
and so we can definitely give you a more detailed briefing

756
00:49:07,412 --> 00:49:08,880
about how that works and what you can expect to see during

757
00:49:08,880 --> 00:49:12,350
that initial Phil. Awesome. Thank you.

758
00:49:12,350 --> 00:49:17,750
>> Thank you. Any other questions or comments? And one

759
00:49:18,623 --> 00:49:21,226
Under current conditions on Lake Okeechobee. What would

760
00:49:21,226 --> 00:49:23,562
your forecast to be for the lake level in December if we

761
00:49:23,562 --> 00:49:29,562
just no hurricanes know? >> First of all I mean, what

762
00:49:36,440 --> 00:49:37,909
we're what we're seeing in the climatic forecast right now is

763
00:49:37,909 --> 00:49:45,109
a wetter than usual winter. So we expect to see rains that

764
00:49:45,317 --> 00:49:48,854
won't look quite like a summer rain, but more staged out. So

765
00:49:48,854 --> 00:49:52,456
we anticipate seeing the lake level continue to rise between

766
00:49:52,456 --> 00:49:59,656
now and December. So we expect that were. Finishing up on the

767
00:50:01,266 --> 00:50:03,735
lowest levels of the lake and that we'd expect to continue

768
00:50:03,735 --> 00:50:08,139
to see the lake levels rise between now and December.

769
00:50:08,139 --> 00:50:10,342
>> I know it has held pretty steady right around 11 law for

770
00:50:10,342 --> 00:50:13,277
and we've been going quite a bit of rain in the area, but I

771
00:50:13,277 --> 00:50:18,884
don't know. Are you holding water north? Are we are we

772
00:50:18,884 --> 00:50:22,954
doing this to help with removal or and that's what a

773
00:50:22,954 --> 00:50:24,355
way to keep so many? Well, don't think they're gone from

774
00:50:24,355 --> 00:50:29,270
room with a little bit, are we letting water that's coming in

775
00:50:29,270 --> 00:50:30,895
out of the Everglades wise a leg to stand the study 11 on

776
00:50:30,895 --> 00:50:34,900
the stand up. >> it's I mean, as you know,

777
00:50:34,900 --> 00:50:38,236
it's a super big lake. So it's kind of rain, an awful lot in

778
00:50:38,236 --> 00:50:40,972
order to raise the lake levels. And so right now we're

779
00:50:40,972 --> 00:50:46,372
balancing the water needs across the system. And that's

780
00:50:46,645 --> 00:50:50,382
really our focus is trying to maintain the water levels in

781
00:50:50,382 --> 00:50:57,321
all of the different areas. I'm going to turn the mic over

782
00:50:57,321 --> 00:51:01,392
to my office good morning. Mister Bartlett. Good So

783
00:51:01,392 --> 00:51:03,462
Jennifer's doing our best, but I work with John Mitnick, our

784
00:51:03,462 --> 00:51:05,263
operator dust on morning and evening and

785
00:51:05,263 --> 00:51:09,600
>> Millan. I basis right now. It's our focus is getting and

786
00:51:09,600 --> 00:51:14,500
holding as much water in the lake as possible. All the all

787
00:51:14,500 --> 00:51:15,941
the rain you're getting in Martin County, that's going in

788
00:51:15,941 --> 00:51:20,345
the say. 44 Canales going back into the lake, right? And just

789
00:51:20,345 --> 00:51:22,948
yesterday, it was like 4,000 CFS coming into the lake. So

790
00:51:22,948 --> 00:51:26,952
we're not holding water north. We're not sending water south

791
00:51:26,952 --> 00:51:28,486
because it's raining south, right? So it's whatever we're

792
00:51:28,486 --> 00:51:31,689
doing. We're trying to get in the lake and help the lake for

793
00:51:31,689 --> 00:51:37,890
our a future planning water supply scenario right? When

794
00:51:37,162 --> 00:51:38,763
you look at the forecast, every board meeting next week,

795
00:51:38,763 --> 00:51:42,167
we'll have the squiggly plots, right, that that sort of have

796
00:51:42,167 --> 00:51:45,236
the possibilities of the lake. If you take that median, which

797
00:51:45,236 --> 00:51:49,508
does not have a tropical system. You'll get at the end

798
00:51:49,508 --> 00:51:51,510
of the dry season because going to be a wet, dry season.

799
00:51:51,510 --> 00:51:54,246
So we include that in our forecast. You'll be between 12

800
00:51:54,246 --> 00:51:59,718
and 13. You know, if you just follow that median, I can tell

801
00:51:59,718 --> 00:52:03,333
you the lake never follows the media, right? So, you know,

802
00:52:03,333 --> 00:52:07,337
it's just somewhere around time that sort of level. But

803
00:52:07,337 --> 00:52:09,672
what you'll say between now and December is a probably

804
00:52:09,672 --> 00:52:13,900
going to stay and water shortage and it will start to

805
00:52:13,900 --> 00:52:15,278
eke out of water shortage around that time frame and

806
00:52:15,278 --> 00:52:19,478
continue to rise through the dry season.

807
00:52:20,884 --> 00:52:24,688
>> Okay. So and I know according to or whatever you

808
00:52:24,688 --> 00:52:26,356
want to mention, takes control like a certain level. What

809
00:52:26,356 --> 00:52:31,156
level of those >> So really it's been that

810
00:52:32,763 --> 00:52:35,565
way ever since. You know, the wet season started and towards

811
00:52:35,565 --> 00:52:37,968
the end of last dry season. So we the Corps been following

812
00:52:37,968 --> 00:52:42,168
all recommendations. >> All along and because of

813
00:52:45,575 --> 00:52:47,444
with. So we've been very conservative in Lee County can

814
00:52:47,444 --> 00:52:50,460
tell you, we've been very conservative with Lake water

815
00:52:50,460 --> 00:52:53,583
and because of that conservation, if you just

816
00:52:53,583 --> 00:52:56,653
followed Lowsome, you know, in the modeling doesn't lowsome

817
00:52:56,653 --> 00:53:00,923
we would be about a half a lower right now. But for the

818
00:53:00,923 --> 00:53:05,123
recommendations on conserving water in Lake Okeechobee.

819
00:53:05,862 --> 00:53:07,263
>> sure you're keeping it down. I mean, is doing wonders

820
00:53:07,263 --> 00:53:12,402
for the other nations. Anything at letter with the

821
00:53:12,402 --> 00:53:16,339
boat locks around the lake, it's got to get up to 13 feet

822
00:53:16,339 --> 00:53:19,809
and are. Tourists may not be too happy with this year when

823
00:53:19,809 --> 00:53:21,210
they come down. They can't get like I think it'll be all

824
00:53:21,210 --> 00:53:26,682
right. I could be all right. >> If I could address of the

825
00:53:26,682 --> 00:53:29,419
operations of say 43. So right now, our operational protocol

826
00:53:29,419 --> 00:53:34,219
is to try to keep the deliveries 79 between 1002

827
00:53:36,159 --> 00:53:41,300
1000 CFS, which is in that optimal range. We've looked at

828
00:53:41,300 --> 00:53:42,632
the salinities and Caloosahatchee it stabilized.

829
00:53:42,632 --> 00:53:46,236
Now they're all good shape. report that next week. And so

830
00:53:46,236 --> 00:53:50,440
I just want to. So even though we're in operational testing

831
00:53:50,440 --> 00:53:52,375
and the engineers will tell you, we look to give benefits

832
00:53:52,375 --> 00:53:56,712
to the system at the same time we've been an operational

833
00:53:56,712 --> 00:53:58,181
testing with the C 44 reservoir for a number of

834
00:53:58,181 --> 00:54:03,252
years now and we've been able to provide all the benefits to

835
00:54:03,252 --> 00:54:06,523
Port St. Lucie Estuary while an operational testing right?

836
00:54:06,523 --> 00:54:08,525
We may not get the opportunity like we did on the West Coast,

837
00:54:08,525 --> 00:54:13,729
but that's our goal. So we will. And we're at 24 and a

838
00:54:13,729 --> 00:54:15,598
half feet deep. We're going to try to get that. We think

839
00:54:15,598 --> 00:54:22,400
we'll get to 25 feet This. Weekend. And at that point, we

840
00:54:22,400 --> 00:54:25,608
hold it and we do inspections to make sure everything's

841
00:54:25,608 --> 00:54:28,144
working right. And then we'll able to go to the next level

842
00:54:28,144 --> 00:54:34,150
which I don't have that. It could take year and a half.

843
00:54:34,150 --> 00:54:36,686
could take 3 years. It all depends on how much water is

844
00:54:36,686 --> 00:54:37,887
available and how the inspections go. Right. So

845
00:54:37,887 --> 00:54:41,423
that's why we get that big time frame.

846
00:54:41,423 --> 00:54:43,359
>> I appreciate the update. We're really excited that we

847
00:54:43,359 --> 00:54:46,280
can still utilize it during this testing phase because

848
00:54:46,280 --> 00:54:49,632
that's going to be so beneficial. That's right.

849
00:54:49,632 --> 00:54:51,434
Thank On the Martin County, all of this talking point that

850
00:54:51,434 --> 00:54:53,369
this wet season, not a drops, gone into the estuary last,

851
00:54:53,369 --> 00:54:57,373
but that's not surprising. Last wet season. Not a drop

852
00:54:57,373 --> 00:54:59,175
the season before that. Not a drop. So we've been able to

853
00:54:59,175 --> 00:55:04,575
use that to great effect. Martin questions or comments.

854
00:55:05,480 --> 00:55:07,716
>> I have one comp one question. I we're talking

855
00:55:07,716 --> 00:55:13,923
about the new agreement. That was just exercise of the core.

856
00:55:13,923 --> 00:55:16,926
just wondered about the cash flow component of that. You

857
00:55:16,926 --> 00:55:19,195
get the project and you ship it to the quarter review and

858
00:55:19,195 --> 00:55:23,465
approve once that's approved. Does the transfer of funds

859
00:55:23,465 --> 00:55:27,336
from the feds come down to you before contract can be signed?

860
00:55:27,336 --> 00:55:28,938
I just wanted to make sure that was the case. You didn't

861
00:55:28,938 --> 00:55:32,609
have to complete the work to get reimbursed. We didn't have

862
00:55:32,609 --> 00:55:35,211
to front dollars in a That's correct. There is a second

863
00:55:35,211 --> 00:55:38,281
process that is available under the federal process.

864
00:55:38,281 --> 00:55:40,616
That is a reimbursement process. So if you've heard of

865
00:55:40,616 --> 00:55:44,216
that, that's >> more commonly known as

866
00:55:45,221 --> 00:55:46,756
called to a 3. But we chose the 10. 48 in the car was very

867
00:55:46,756 --> 00:55:50,559
supportive. So we they they'll give us the money to pay the

868
00:55:50,559 --> 00:55:55,231
invoices. Excellent. Thank you very much. go. Back to

869
00:55:55,231 --> 00:56:01,831
Jennifer. drew, I have a question for I heard you say

870
00:56:02,839 --> 00:56:05,909
that you're trying to hold as much water in the lake as

871
00:56:05,909 --> 00:56:10,179
possible. And we sent e-mail to your operation room this

872
00:56:10,179 --> 00:56:14,918
morning because we are seeing water released. has one

873
00:56:14,918 --> 00:56:16,119
>> And we are asking to minimize those releases to

874
00:56:16,119 --> 00:56:22,119
Lake Worth Lagoon. Right? And there has been 354 CFS or

875
00:56:23,726 --> 00:56:27,730
divert daily average. And so if that's not consistent with

876
00:56:27,730 --> 00:56:29,665
holding water because there are ways to get it back to

877
00:56:29,665 --> 00:56:36,865
where you wanted to. So we're yeah. And they asking you to

878
00:56:38,274 --> 00:56:43,412
optimize the operations of your St Ays and to look, look

879
00:56:43,412 --> 00:56:47,217
to send water to the LA can out 3G 5.41. For immediate

880
00:56:47,217 --> 00:56:49,352
water supply needs for Lake Okeechobee. So we've said that

881
00:56:49,352 --> 00:56:53,756
that narrative to your operations control room. But I

882
00:56:53,756 --> 00:56:58,361
just want to say that. You know, we have needs in Palm

883
00:56:58,361 --> 00:57:01,430
Beach County as well to protect Lake Worth Lagoon. And

884
00:57:01,430 --> 00:57:03,232
we hope that you will honor those requests. Thank you very

885
00:57:03,232 --> 00:57:09,105
well. Tell Paul look into. >> they hired Paul and there

886
00:57:09,105 --> 00:57:10,774
used to be our operations guy. So he knows all the tricks

887
00:57:10,774 --> 00:57:17,180
shift back Is that every Thank you for good. Thank you very

888
00:57:17,180 --> 00:57:21,980
Okay. Next presentation FWC. >> Good Thank you, Mr.

889
00:57:29,325 --> 00:57:30,794
Chairman commissioners. Appreciate the opportunity be

890
00:57:30,794 --> 00:57:35,732
here. I am Tom right and the regional director for Florida

891
00:57:35,732 --> 00:57:37,934
Fish Wildlife Conservation very pleased to present slides

892
00:57:37,934 --> 00:57:39,602
prepared by Alyssa Jordan who couldn't be here. Another at

893
00:57:39,602 --> 00:57:43,720
have her up here. She deserves a lot of credit for what I'm

894
00:57:43,720 --> 00:57:49,672
about to show you arm up, move the project. district did

895
00:57:49,746 --> 00:57:51,948
touch on this. I think are fully demobilize now on most

896
00:57:51,948 --> 00:57:57,200
or all the equipment is gone from the lake. Bottom. This

897
00:57:57,200 --> 00:57:58,288
was we would call our first point connector site. You can

898
00:57:58,288 --> 00:58:04,888
see here on this graphic, the the hatch, the red hatch

899
00:58:05,227 --> 00:58:10,845
approval is from the past from 2001, 2008 and the yellow is

900
00:58:10,845 --> 00:58:15,850
what this current covered about 510 acres of not kept a

901
00:58:15,850 --> 00:58:20,922
limb up to us from 6 to 20 inches deep and that we

902
00:58:20,922 --> 00:58:22,256
actually able to move money around and get it done in 2

903
00:58:22,256 --> 00:58:26,327
different fiscal years, which was great, sir. As Jennifer

904
00:58:26,327 --> 00:58:29,330
mentioned, over a million cubic yards of vegetation and

905
00:58:29,330 --> 00:58:35,269
muck removed, I'm told it's 2 billion pounds with a b of

906
00:58:35,269 --> 00:58:38,940
sediment and it's up at our Yankee Point to disposal site

907
00:58:38,940 --> 00:58:43,143
for potential future beneficial use. we are in the

908
00:58:43,143 --> 00:58:45,746
process of calculating just what that means. In terms of

909
00:58:45,746 --> 00:58:49,684
total, phosphorus and nitrogen moved. But this is a great

910
00:58:49,684 --> 00:58:52,954
project. You some of you are able to visit last at our last

911
00:58:52,954 --> 00:58:59,260
meeting and see it in and work. Here's some photos got

912
00:58:59,260 --> 00:59:02,960
we just we had to change contractors. think we

913
00:59:02,960 --> 00:59:03,431
mentioned this last time. The first contract was just not

914
00:59:03,431 --> 00:59:07,350
doing the job we had to go through the arduous task of

915
00:59:07,350 --> 00:59:09,637
releasing them from a contract and hiring someone else and

916
00:59:09,637 --> 00:59:13,837
immediately all the legal hurdles and everything,

917
00:59:15,510 --> 00:59:17,578
they're not withstanding a, but Texas aquatics came in and

918
00:59:17,578 --> 00:59:19,380
he's done a fantastic job that out there and did the work

919
00:59:19,380 --> 00:59:23,184
kept doing it. Even though we had some some rain delays. But

920
00:59:23,184 --> 00:59:25,853
they were working hard and they tried very hard to keep

921
00:59:25,853 --> 00:59:28,723
the dust down on some of our communities that are there

922
00:59:28,723 --> 00:59:31,860
moving the trucks around. So really appreciate their

923
00:59:31,860 --> 00:59:35,797
efforts to work with the community on that. We're

924
00:59:35,797 --> 00:59:38,800
already seeing naturally grows of a diverse native plant.

925
00:59:38,800 --> 00:59:40,802
Species is all from from the seed bank. That's theirs or

926
00:59:40,802 --> 00:59:45,205
native grasses and said is things are popping up. And as

927
00:59:45,205 --> 00:59:47,808
the lake begins to fill, we'll start to see. And hopefully it

928
00:59:47,808 --> 00:59:52,880
is. Hopefully the lake will will rise but slowly. I

929
00:59:52,880 --> 00:59:56,350
appreciate the district want it to keep water in the lake.

930
00:59:56,350 --> 01:00:00,221
Let it have that slow rise. And yeah, hopefully we don't

931
01:00:00,221 --> 01:00:03,900
get a storm. It rises up too fast, but a slow steady rise

932
01:00:03,900 --> 01:00:08,896
will be great for this. This area. And there we go. This is

933
01:00:08,896 --> 01:00:10,498
a Jeff showing you the progress. You can see it

934
01:00:10,498 --> 01:00:16,498
slowly. Taking shape there. This is from April 29th to

935
01:00:16,637 --> 01:00:22,637
August, 17th and it's just some fantastic work. And you

936
01:00:23,844 --> 01:00:24,979
can see a few the green patches that are left in

937
01:00:24,979 --> 01:00:30,979
there. Those purposefully left tree islands and areas of of

938
01:00:31,385 --> 01:00:36,657
native vegetation left to 4 to enhance bird nesting Andrew

939
01:00:36,657 --> 01:00:39,600
staying now account play through one more time. So you

940
01:00:39,600 --> 01:00:41,395
can just see the great work that was done in that in that

941
01:00:41,395 --> 01:00:47,995
short amount of time. think that's the last one. Yeah. All

942
01:00:49,136 --> 01:00:55,542
right. And some aerial photos you can see this is from

943
01:00:55,542 --> 01:00:59,742
August. One nearing completion. Of the area.

944
01:01:00,140 --> 01:01:03,684
Again, you can see some of those green tree islands that

945
01:01:03,684 --> 01:01:09,757
left as habitat to fill in. The waters come back and

946
01:01:09,757 --> 01:01:11,959
emergent vegetation, mergen flooding vegetation, submerged

947
01:01:11,959 --> 01:01:16,759
vegetation, return to the site. Some plantings we've

948
01:01:16,898 --> 01:01:18,833
completed a quite a few plantings, 3 acres, a bull

949
01:01:18,833 --> 01:01:23,771
rush, 2 acres of field grass that was fence to reduce the

950
01:01:23,771 --> 01:01:29,771
amount depredation by or before This is the Fishing Bay

951
01:01:30,778 --> 01:01:33,580
area. These plantings hurt so far pretty successful. We've

952
01:01:33,580 --> 01:01:35,115
got some great habitat out there with a low water. It's

953
01:01:35,115 --> 01:01:38,118
just it's gorgeous out there right now. Here they are

954
01:01:38,118 --> 01:01:42,318
actively planting some yield grass upcoming plantings 2027.

955
01:01:45,460 --> 01:01:48,196
The first points grave site that just talked about. We've

956
01:01:48,196 --> 01:01:51,132
got a full suite of native vegetation and we're going to

957
01:01:51,132 --> 01:01:52,667
get put back out there. Some the stuff is coming back

958
01:01:52,667 --> 01:01:56,537
naturally, which is awesome. But we got about 7 to 8 acres

959
01:01:56,537 --> 01:02:02,537
plant planned of bull rush by crushed, maintain Cypress. And

960
01:02:03,344 --> 01:02:06,813
in steamboats, Steamboat Marsh, the slower image.

961
01:02:06,813 --> 01:02:10,551
There's a couple planting areas we're going starting

962
01:02:10,551 --> 01:02:13,687
adding Sawgrass Rakers the It's important component that

963
01:02:13,687 --> 01:02:15,489
ecosystem fishing day. We're going to add some bull rush,

964
01:02:15,489 --> 01:02:20,289
Kissimmee grass and Spike rush. Fire. Another popular

965
01:02:21,940 --> 01:02:26,494
subject on the lake. combined efforts of Mother Nature,

966
01:02:27,301 --> 01:02:30,905
unauthorized burn agents and prescribed fire. We've got

967
01:02:30,905 --> 01:02:35,420
over. 31,000 acres have burned a big wildfire in the

968
01:02:35,420 --> 01:02:39,112
Northwest Marsh. 7200 acres burned. That was an area that

969
01:02:39,112 --> 01:02:42,316
we're intending to burn. So, you know, we didn't have to

970
01:02:42,316 --> 01:02:48,916
spend money on that. So that's good. We'll take it. Island,

971
01:02:49,790 --> 01:02:52,660
another area that seems to burn to the exact same time

972
01:02:52,660 --> 01:02:53,995
every single year just in advance of Turkey season. So

973
01:02:53,995 --> 01:02:59,995
I'm not sure mother Nature ranges that but somehow and

974
01:03:01,335 --> 01:03:05,273
then prescribed burns, the Eagle Bank, things bar up in

975
01:03:05,273 --> 01:03:09,677
the Northwest Marsh, 850 acres burned Chancey Bay with help

976
01:03:09,677 --> 01:03:12,130
from the district 600 acres and then some district

977
01:03:12,130 --> 01:03:14,949
Burnstown the south end 1000 acres. So this is all a great

978
01:03:14,949 --> 01:03:19,749
way of getting restoring natural progression of the

979
01:03:21,421 --> 01:03:25,759
marsh. Removing vegetation, getting that that carbon out

980
01:03:25,759 --> 01:03:30,498
of there that phosphorus and nitrogen. I'm going to bring

981
01:03:30,498 --> 01:03:34,635
up an alley, Howard. She's our fisheries biologist for Lake

982
01:03:34,635 --> 01:03:38,505
Okeechobee, relatively new to our program. She's based here

983
01:03:38,505 --> 01:03:40,307
Let her talk to you about some proposed rules that we have

984
01:03:40,307 --> 01:03:42,376
that are coming before the commission regarding fresh

985
01:03:42,376 --> 01:03:46,580
water commercial fisheries. This is statewide, but it does

986
01:03:46,580 --> 01:03:47,849
have an impact here in Okeechobee. I thought I'd let

987
01:03:47,849 --> 01:03:52,587
her come up and tell you about that. So Natalie, thank you.

988
01:03:52,587 --> 01:03:54,388
>> Good morning, commissioners. Thank you. My

989
01:03:54,388 --> 01:03:57,191
name is Natalie. Like Tom said, I work for the division

990
01:03:57,191 --> 01:04:00,261
of Freshwater Fisheries Management on Lake Okeechobee.

991
01:04:00,261 --> 01:04:03,197
I wanted to introduce you all to some of our proposed rules

992
01:04:03,197 --> 01:04:06,267
related to fresh water, commercial fisheries. These

993
01:04:06,267 --> 01:04:09,469
proposed rules are intended to address 2 main challenges we

994
01:04:09,469 --> 01:04:14,869
face with commercial fisheries, a lack of data on

995
01:04:15,900 --> 01:04:18,479
freshwater commercial harvest and no quality control

996
01:04:18,479 --> 01:04:21,226
standards. The goal of these proposed rules is to improve

997
01:04:21,226 --> 01:04:22,295
our understanding of commercial freshwater

998
01:04:22,295 --> 01:04:27,950
fisheries. Currently FWC does not collect any information

999
01:04:31,837 --> 01:04:35,374
related to fresh water commercial harvest, excluding

1000
01:04:35,374 --> 01:04:37,577
our hall. Same programs that have some specific

1001
01:04:37,577 --> 01:04:40,379
requirements. So to address these data gaps were looking

1002
01:04:40,379 --> 01:04:44,717
to implement an electronic trip ticket reporting system.

1003
01:04:44,717 --> 01:04:47,386
This would collect data related to water body fish.

1004
01:04:47,386 --> 01:04:52,658
What species are targeting, how much you harvest, cetera.

1005
01:04:52,658 --> 01:04:54,460
Mandatory reporting would provide us with the

1006
01:04:54,460 --> 01:04:55,795
information needed to better understand our commercial

1007
01:04:55,795 --> 01:05:00,595
fisheries. We're also looking to implement quality control

1008
01:05:03,100 --> 01:05:06,138
standards. There are currently no standards for quality

1009
01:05:06,138 --> 01:05:09,942
control requirements for fresh water. Harvesters. This would

1010
01:05:09,942 --> 01:05:13,412
be reasonable and minimal impact on our fisherman. So it

1011
01:05:13,412 --> 01:05:16,949
would be protection from the elements such as the sun or

1012
01:05:16,949 --> 01:05:20,486
weather and separating it from any sources of contaminants

1013
01:05:20,486 --> 01:05:24,823
such as the build or gas. We're also looking to

1014
01:05:24,823 --> 01:05:28,427
implement refrigeration or icing requirements so that we

1015
01:05:28,427 --> 01:05:31,300
can maintain quality catch that's intended for consumer

1016
01:05:31,300 --> 01:05:35,230
harvests are human consumption. Sorry. We have

1017
01:05:37,903 --> 01:05:40,505
done stakeholder engagement related to this topic that

1018
01:05:40,505 --> 01:05:43,441
included statewide public meetings at the beginning of

1019
01:05:43,441 --> 01:05:47,379
February. And we are continuing the conversation.

1020
01:05:47,379 --> 01:05:49,448
If you participate in fresh water commercial harvest or

1021
01:05:49,448 --> 01:05:53,252
know anybody that does please feel free to contact me. from

1022
01:05:53,252 --> 01:05:59,252
ation above. Lastly, I have our Lake Okeechobee Hall same

1023
01:06:01,527 --> 01:06:04,396
program. It currently has 2 permit holders. The image on

1024
01:06:04,396 --> 01:06:06,132
the left shows their normal water boundary where they

1025
01:06:06,132 --> 01:06:12,132
fish. When water levels are greater than 11 feet and DVD.

1026
01:06:12,471 --> 01:06:19,710
That image on the right shows. Right there. They're low water

1027
01:06:19,678 --> 01:06:21,880
boundary. So when the water levels are below 11 feet, it

1028
01:06:21,880 --> 01:06:27,619
pushes them one mile further offshore and north of the

1029
01:06:27,619 --> 01:06:32,157
southern grief. This is to protect any vegetation that's

1030
01:06:32,157 --> 01:06:33,492
growing back in our shoreline areas. We don't want them to

1031
01:06:33,492 --> 01:06:37,429
drag the whole scene through there. Currently they are

1032
01:06:37,429 --> 01:06:40,299
fishing at the low water boundary as of August 31st.

1033
01:06:40,299 --> 01:06:43,235
But since the water levels have returned to 11 feet,

1034
01:06:43,235 --> 01:06:44,703
we're looking to move them back to their normal water

1035
01:06:44,703 --> 01:06:49,908
boundary Tuesday. If you have any questions related to

1036
01:06:49,908 --> 01:06:51,510
freshwater commercial fishing, please feel free to contact me

1037
01:06:51,510 --> 01:06:55,110
with the information that's up there.

1038
01:06:57,182 --> 01:07:00,519
>> Thank you, Natalie. Appreciate Some out of the

1039
01:07:00,519 --> 01:07:05,257
area we're not out of area of the system, but Kissimmee,

1040
01:07:05,257 --> 01:07:06,992
Lake, Kissimmee, plantings. We've got some pond. We deal

1041
01:07:06,992 --> 01:07:12,392
grass plantings that went on this year. So 47,000 yield

1042
01:07:13,199 --> 01:07:16,100
grass plants, one in 32,000 pond. We this is all up in

1043
01:07:16,100 --> 01:07:20,338
Lake Kissimmee. Here's the map. You can see there on that

1044
01:07:20,338 --> 01:07:24,143
on the eastern shore and some of the embedded images there,

1045
01:07:24,143 --> 01:07:29,543
areas where we're adding habitat and OK, that's There's

1046
01:07:30,282 --> 01:07:33,752
a beautiful snail kite. I do have Tyler back, our snail

1047
01:07:33,752 --> 01:07:37,356
kite expert here today. If you have any question snail kites,

1048
01:07:37,356 --> 01:07:40,960
but I'll take or try to avoid any questions that you might

1049
01:07:40,960 --> 01:07:44,229
have. >> Thank On the first day.

1050
01:07:44,229 --> 01:07:48,700
question, plantings. What is your survival rate? Are you

1051
01:07:48,700 --> 01:07:53,372
are you finding that? They're holding up? I mean, our boats

1052
01:07:53,372 --> 01:07:58,376
running through. There's cold. Yeah. So from what I've heard

1053
01:07:58,376 --> 01:08:00,645
yet, the planting seemed to pretty successful. The fencing

1054
01:08:00,645 --> 01:08:02,848
self and keeping some of their boards out.

1055
01:08:02,848 --> 01:08:06,719
>> Still, turtles get in. And then they everything. So

1056
01:08:06,719 --> 01:08:10,922
they're pretty efficient. But so what I've heard of the

1057
01:08:10,922 --> 01:08:12,258
plantings are looking pretty good with this low lake level

1058
01:08:12,258 --> 01:08:15,127
in the slow rise that's helping support them. They're

1059
01:08:15,127 --> 01:08:20,866
able to grow with the rising water towards the sun. So so

1060
01:08:20,866 --> 01:08:23,736
that's very helpful. A sudden increase a massive storm that

1061
01:08:23,736 --> 01:08:25,604
raises the lake level very quickly. That would be

1062
01:08:25,604 --> 01:08:30,342
probably devastating for those plantings. But so on wood.

1063
01:08:30,342 --> 01:08:33,812
Things are going well and for all imports, I've heard the

1064
01:08:33,812 --> 01:08:36,810
North West March is looking fantastic. Clearwater, good

1065
01:08:36,810 --> 01:08:41,481
plants. Very good Any other questions? Thank you very

1066
01:08:42,221 --> 01:08:48,221
much. Thank you. Appreciate Okay. Last agency was ftp but

1067
01:08:50,429 --> 01:08:52,697
I believe Mr. Smith is not going to be providing an

1068
01:08:52,697 --> 01:08:55,634
update today, John. The correct?

1069
01:08:55,634 --> 01:08:58,837
>> That's correct. Mr. Chairs. They did not. They didn't have

1070
01:08:58,837 --> 01:09:03,576
anything that they thought Purposeful for the mission.

1071
01:09:03,576 --> 01:09:05,778
>> Still working on that think their 5 contracts is that. So

1072
01:09:05,778 --> 01:09:09,982
think it's 6 they've had 6. I thought he said the last

1073
01:09:09,982 --> 01:09:11,450
meeting as one of them might have dropped I'm not sure

1074
01:09:11,450 --> 01:09:17,450
about that. So then when the agency reviews and updates.

1075
01:09:18,723 --> 01:09:21,123
Item 8. Khaleesi contract renewal.

1076
01:09:24,330 --> 01:09:28,868
>> So this is a point of procedure. The De Lisi Inc

1077
01:09:28,868 --> 01:09:33,873
contract requires or has the option of renewal annually.

1078
01:09:33,873 --> 01:09:37,900
And we it's our opinion that the board, we need a

1079
01:09:37,900 --> 01:09:38,677
resolution for that each year. that's what that's and

1080
01:09:38,677 --> 01:09:42,281
therefore, if there's discussion or questions, we

1081
01:09:42,281 --> 01:09:44,283
any questions for John this. This isn't.

1082
01:09:44,283 --> 01:09:49,830
>> An ongoing contract. It's been since what September

1083
01:09:49,755 --> 01:09:54,555
2018, I commence and same terms. Same dollars. Same

1084
01:09:55,360 --> 01:09:59,832
everything. No change on Motion to approve a second.

1085
01:09:59,832 --> 01:10:03,902
The motion and multiple second to approve. I got a discussion

1086
01:10:03,902 --> 01:10:06,906
resolution. 26, 0, one. Yes, sir. just want to say I have a

1087
01:10:06,906 --> 01:10:13,440
problem with this contract. It Mr. De Lisi is too easy to

1088
01:10:13,440 --> 01:10:15,714
contact. >> And Martin County too much

1089
01:10:15,714 --> 01:10:17,849
and make sure that I try to get down to all these

1090
01:10:17,849 --> 01:10:20,520
meetings. And also this. I just want to take a moment to

1091
01:10:20,520 --> 01:10:22,454
say thank you for all that you do for this for this

1092
01:10:22,454 --> 01:10:26,859
coalition. I appreciate that. And the thank you to Martin

1093
01:10:26,859 --> 01:10:28,660
County for stepping up and kind of making sure keep the

1094
01:10:28,660 --> 01:10:34,144
engine running here. So thank you very much. I thank you. I

1095
01:10:34,144 --> 01:10:37,148
approve any other comments. other discussion? Any

1096
01:10:37,148 --> 01:10:39,830
objection to the motion hearing? None passes

1097
01:10:39,830 --> 01:10:44,483
unanimously. Moving on. Item 9 comments from the public on

1098
01:10:45,356 --> 01:10:46,891
coalition related items will have.

1099
01:10:46,891 --> 01:10:49,891
>> Several cards. Mr. Kerry, Europe.

1100
01:10:54,698 --> 01:10:58,898
>> Or it commissioner support. appreciate This coalition

1101
01:10:59,570 --> 01:11:02,239
coming together is County coalition since its inception

1102
01:11:02,239 --> 01:11:05,309
has been great to bring people together in this community to

1103
01:11:05,309 --> 01:11:10,781
understand the full scope of what's going on around Lake

1104
01:11:10,781 --> 01:11:13,851
and all the surrounding areas. You know, we have rain events

1105
01:11:13,851 --> 01:11:19,560
that have been happening and hasn't moved too much up from

1106
01:11:19,560 --> 01:11:22,592
11 feet. So it's right about that time. But we had seen a

1107
01:11:22,592 --> 01:11:25,996
jump in the 44 canal, of course, and they started to

1108
01:11:25,996 --> 01:11:29,867
put water back into the reservoir. And C 44, it's

1109
01:11:29,867 --> 01:11:34,472
limited capacity, but also back into the lake at that

1110
01:11:34,472 --> 01:11:38,750
time. So that's what's going on now. But the lowsome

1111
01:11:38,750 --> 01:11:41,879
schedule this really working pretty You know, when we look

1112
01:11:41,879 --> 01:11:45,682
at and how we got implemented to that, we have now really

1113
01:11:45,682 --> 01:11:51,682
prevented a lot of discharges into estuaries that are that

1114
01:11:52,222 --> 01:11:54,891
are not desired. Bringing a lot of not only fresh water to

1115
01:11:54,891 --> 01:11:58,496
tide, but also tons of Foster's time Turgeon and also

1116
01:11:58,496 --> 01:12:02,980
total suspended solids which is produce lot of mock and

1117
01:12:02,980 --> 01:12:07,972
settlements over the years. So what is doing is is is really

1118
01:12:07,972 --> 01:12:11,108
good. We went through the after action. We haven't been

1119
01:12:11,108 --> 01:12:15,246
through the after action report yet. But the as you

1120
01:12:15,246 --> 01:12:17,981
know, the Lake Okeechobee recovery plan was implemented

1121
01:12:17,981 --> 01:12:23,787
December and through April of 25 and then, you know, we have

1122
01:12:23,787 --> 01:12:26,656
to have that after action report. We've been working

1123
01:12:26,656 --> 01:12:29,593
with the colonel to try to update that last year that

1124
01:12:29,593 --> 01:12:33,997
they wanted to have a schedule earlier this year to to go

1125
01:12:33,997 --> 01:12:37,868
over that it came out at a meeting in August, 25th of

1126
01:12:37,868 --> 01:12:42,500
Ecosystem Task group Working Group meeting. And we want to

1127
01:12:42,500 --> 01:12:46,210
kind of understand all of us around too, what that after

1128
01:12:46,210 --> 01:12:49,613
action permits on the lake, you know how it impacted other

1129
01:12:49,613 --> 01:12:53,817
systems and so forth. I think the thing I want to also

1130
01:12:53,817 --> 01:12:57,688
comment on this, you know, the integrated delivery schedule

1131
01:12:57,688 --> 01:13:02,159
is it's really fantastic. Understanding all these big

1132
01:13:02,159 --> 01:13:04,361
major projects and what's going on and how they're going

1133
01:13:04,361 --> 01:13:07,297
to benefit. But I also want to keep on to the northern

1134
01:13:07,297 --> 01:13:10,897
Everglades and Estuaries protection plan. These 3

1135
01:13:11,234 --> 01:13:13,771
watersheds Lake Okeechobee, Port St. Lucie and

1136
01:13:13,771 --> 01:13:18,420
Caloosahatchee are really in need of monitoring how we're

1137
01:13:18,420 --> 01:13:20,777
not meeting our reduction goals and not going to beat

1138
01:13:20,777 --> 01:13:22,445
the B maps are not going to beat the TMT else and we

1139
01:13:22,445 --> 01:13:28,519
really need to kind of get FX and the table along with FDP

1140
01:13:28,519 --> 01:13:30,988
and the district to come together and really implement

1141
01:13:30,988 --> 01:13:35,259
those. And lastly, I want to make mention sure that.

1142
01:13:35,259 --> 01:13:40,130
Sometime today mention too, recognize this guy, Paul Gray.

1143
01:13:40,130 --> 01:13:44,602
We want to thank Paul Gray. This will be his last day.

1144
01:13:44,602 --> 01:13:49,606
He's retiring after 31 years. we all know Paul and have

1145
01:13:49,606 --> 01:13:53,610
known him 30 plus years. And he's just amazing. We hope

1146
01:13:53,610 --> 01:13:55,120
that he doesn't go too far away and continues to connect

1147
01:13:55,120 --> 01:14:00,617
with us and contribute to our to our I want to appreciate

1148
01:14:00,617 --> 01:14:03,621
Paul and I'm sure you all do to at this point. Thank you,

1149
01:14:03,621 --> 01:14:08,225
Mr. Byrne next. >> That's we have, Mister. You

1150
01:14:08,225 --> 01:14:14,225
see it. The was it? >> As thank you very much.

1151
01:14:17,330 --> 01:14:19,370
Want to echo marks had to adjust. General appreciation

1152
01:14:19,370 --> 01:14:24,975
of all year time, commitment and leadership to a great

1153
01:14:24,975 --> 01:14:26,644
cause of Lake Okeechobee. Watershed dots connected water

1154
01:14:26,644 --> 01:14:29,112
bodies in Florida here. But I want to just come up, provide

1155
01:14:29,112 --> 01:14:35,112
a real quick reduction and an update too. The scene

1156
01:14:35,452 --> 01:14:39,123
Shoreline Project that we're working with Ed Smith and DP

1157
01:14:39,123 --> 01:14:41,192
on. my name lose principal engineer and a dime Bill

1158
01:14:41,192 --> 01:14:44,395
project manager with seen shoreline. But I'm happy to

1159
01:14:44,395 --> 01:14:50,334
report that as of July, we're fully permitted all the

1160
01:14:50,334 --> 01:14:52,736
federal and state permits. as of 2 weeks ago, we're able to

1161
01:14:52,736 --> 01:14:57,475
get through our system testing with our project that

1162
01:14:57,475 --> 01:15:01,212
specifically targeted at removing high phosphorus and

1163
01:15:01,212 --> 01:15:05,216
high nitrogen mark sediments. That impact harmful algal

1164
01:15:05,216 --> 01:15:07,217
blooms specifically cyanobacteria blue-green algae

1165
01:15:07,217 --> 01:15:10,954
to the high phosphorus and water clarity which impacts

1166
01:15:10,954 --> 01:15:14,225
submerged aquatic vegetation. That's like goals of our

1167
01:15:14,225 --> 01:15:18,950
project is to improve those 2 conditions things are going

1168
01:15:18,950 --> 01:15:20,898
well. We're learning some efficiencies, but I want to

1169
01:15:20,898 --> 01:15:25,302
take this moment. Also invite all of you to our project

1170
01:15:25,302 --> 01:15:27,838
update, meeting which is happening next week at our

1171
01:15:27,838 --> 01:15:32,709
project site and we'll have data to show starting to roll

1172
01:15:32,709 --> 01:15:34,979
in as we just got started in the end of August. But we'll

1173
01:15:34,979 --> 01:15:38,715
have data to show on what we're removing from the lake

1174
01:15:38,715 --> 01:15:40,251
and be able to see the process. all that I have. I

1175
01:15:40,251 --> 01:15:42,119
really appreciate all of your time, everybody. And thank you

1176
01:15:42,119 --> 01:15:47,519
very much. Thank you, sir. Next Billy Walker. For

1177
01:15:52,930 --> 01:15:58,468
Everybody. Good morning. So this week. I was able to get

1178
01:15:58,468 --> 01:15:59,737
out on the lake on my brother-in-law's airboat 2

1179
01:15:59,737 --> 01:16:04,740
days in a row. >> So we had put in County

1180
01:16:04,740 --> 01:16:06,276
park because the Buckhead Ridge talk, of course, is

1181
01:16:06,276 --> 01:16:12,816
closed due to low water. And so what we found was it's

1182
01:16:12,816 --> 01:16:16,486
really low out there. And if anybody was thinking about

1183
01:16:16,486 --> 01:16:20,290
investing in an airboat him, I want to do it. So we toured

1184
01:16:20,290 --> 01:16:23,828
all along that its from up to 10, a major way all the way to

1185
01:16:23,828 --> 01:16:28,231
peers Canal through the pass. Which and water quality, of

1186
01:16:28,231 --> 01:16:30,500
course, is We didn't see any real good vegetation and the

1187
01:16:30,500 --> 01:16:37,241
pass. toured around the bar. We went all the way down to

1188
01:16:37,241 --> 01:16:38,709
and then when we got to peers can now like say when you come

1189
01:16:38,709 --> 01:16:41,244
out of the mouth of peers can now, I mean, basically you can

1190
01:16:41,244 --> 01:16:46,462
step out of the boat and it's about knee deep as you work

1191
01:16:46,462 --> 01:16:50,800
your way to the inside edge, its ankle deep. So we saw a

1192
01:16:50,800 --> 01:16:54,137
lot of dresses and stuff growing. And of course, looks

1193
01:16:54,137 --> 01:16:58,474
like the bull rush is thriving. Again. Water quality

1194
01:16:58,474 --> 01:17:02,611
was good. As we made our way on down 2 Indian Prairie.

1195
01:17:02,611 --> 01:17:08,611
That's where we saw the large mallard population is really

1196
01:17:09,485 --> 01:17:12,288
between peers and in your prayer can now they're loving

1197
01:17:12,288 --> 01:17:13,623
that they're a puddle dock. And so there the conditions

1198
01:17:13,623 --> 01:17:16,359
for them is fantastic. And probably the most we've seen

1199
01:17:16,359 --> 01:17:22,970
in quite a while. With the water at scammers point. Now.

1200
01:17:22,970 --> 01:17:26,435
I mean, that is present level. I mean, we made our way down

1201
01:17:26,435 --> 01:17:27,769
Piers Canal and took a look at the 510 acres that was

1202
01:17:27,769 --> 01:17:32,975
cleared. The course of great. Us. Although the eastern

1203
01:17:32,975 --> 01:17:38,247
portion looks like though it's growing fast. I mean, I know

1204
01:17:38,247 --> 01:17:41,183
what Tom number saying. I mean, if we don't get the

1205
01:17:41,183 --> 01:17:45,454
water on it. I mean, it looks like it could just grow back

1206
01:17:45,454 --> 01:17:51,126
quickly. So I don't know. I'm I'm a proponent of hopefully

1207
01:17:51,126 --> 01:17:55,397
we get the rain and we fill it in, you know, cause don't I

1208
01:17:55,397 --> 01:17:58,134
think a lot of Asia takes is going to grow back and that

1209
01:17:58,134 --> 01:18:01,470
project would be maybe compromised. Be the word I'd

1210
01:18:01,470 --> 01:18:07,476
use. But so and so we got out of there, went on Wayne on

1211
01:18:07,476 --> 01:18:11,614
down work along it all the way down to Prairie. And as I

1212
01:18:11,614 --> 01:18:13,749
said, there's there's not gonna be a new book traffic

1213
01:18:13,749 --> 01:18:17,286
into those zones that people would fish anytime soon. I

1214
01:18:17,286 --> 01:18:22,224
mean, even at 13 got to be careful where you're going. If

1215
01:18:22,224 --> 01:18:24,760
you're going to try to work your way into the inside edge,

1216
01:18:24,760 --> 01:18:30,433
the other item would be the there's not going to travel in

1217
01:18:30,433 --> 01:18:34,303
the marsh and any kind of air boat at their even at 13. I

1218
01:18:34,303 --> 01:18:37,172
mean, it's got to get to 14 and better if you're going to

1219
01:18:37,172 --> 01:18:39,909
have any other boat traffic such as mud boats or anything

1220
01:18:39,909 --> 01:18:42,711
else into that area during the season. Duck season fishing

1221
01:18:42,711 --> 01:18:47,450
season, the whole 9 yards. But again, the water quality was

1222
01:18:47,450 --> 01:18:50,519
very There's a huge brand population has been betting in

1223
01:18:50,519 --> 01:18:53,990
there. mean, you can see the shell bottom. So see a lot of

1224
01:18:53,990 --> 01:18:58,994
great improvement there to echo what Tim is saying for

1225
01:18:58,994 --> 01:19:04,666
the season to help out to and all we need a lot of water. So

1226
01:19:04,666 --> 01:19:06,100
whatever water can get in there. And of course, Mother

1227
01:19:06,100 --> 01:19:08,604
Nature is in control of that. Let's eat. Thank you very

1228
01:19:08,604 --> 01:19:15,804
much. Thank you, Next Mike. Good to see you, sir. Ave to

1229
01:19:28,240 --> 01:19:34,624
push up. And I love pipes. One Florida Foundation. First of

1230
01:19:36,632 --> 01:19:37,833
all, I want to echo everybody's comments about the

1231
01:19:37,833 --> 01:19:41,904
appreciation for the work being done in the lake.

1232
01:19:41,904 --> 01:19:43,372
>> Everybody has really come together and it's amazing the

1233
01:19:43,372 --> 01:19:46,909
kind of work we can get done with these low lake levels.

1234
01:19:46,909 --> 01:19:49,779
And I I see that improvement myself. And I just want to

1235
01:19:49,779 --> 01:19:52,849
recognize the lake release needed that for a long time.

1236
01:19:52,849 --> 01:19:57,520
I'm going to continue my efforts to push for ongoing,

1237
01:19:57,520 --> 01:19:59,321
dedicated funding so that every time the lake it's low,

1238
01:19:59,321 --> 01:20:05,194
we've got the options available to us as much as

1239
01:20:05,194 --> 01:20:06,862
possible. So thank you for everybody who's been involved

1240
01:20:06,862 --> 01:20:09,531
say no, that that's every agency and every level of

1241
01:20:09,531 --> 01:20:14,931
government. Connection. Just been a lot of talk about

1242
01:20:15,605 --> 01:20:18,674
connection as should be, because this system does not

1243
01:20:18,674 --> 01:20:23,346
work without everything working together. And one of

1244
01:20:23,346 --> 01:20:28,684
the things I really wanted to talk about today was

1245
01:20:28,684 --> 01:20:30,353
connection south of Lake from Lake Okeechobee all the way to

1246
01:20:30,353 --> 01:20:35,753
the trail and beyond. I appreciate the presentation by

1247
01:20:35,758 --> 01:20:37,559
Gendron Olds about the projects to reduce nutrients

1248
01:20:37,559 --> 01:20:40,830
and how they matter. I think one of the things that was a

1249
01:20:40,830 --> 01:20:44,766
little bit missing in that presentation was that

1250
01:20:44,766 --> 01:20:50,506
connection. I want to remind everybody that not only to

1251
01:20:50,506 --> 01:20:53,410
farmers do an amazing job and do more than he's asked of

1252
01:20:53,410 --> 01:20:58,247
them by statute. But I also want to remind people that

1253
01:20:58,247 --> 01:21:01,490
they get water from the lake that is hiring new trance to

1254
01:21:01,490 --> 01:21:05,121
anything that ever leaves that farms. And that matters. And

1255
01:21:05,121 --> 01:21:09,525
this was the part I'm not sure got really communicated. No,

1256
01:21:09,525 --> 01:21:10,726
no offense to Jenna whatsoever. I just want to

1257
01:21:10,726 --> 01:21:14,663
remind people this is how it works. What matters is that

1258
01:21:14,663 --> 01:21:18,334
they are a part of the treatment train. So if we

1259
01:21:18,334 --> 01:21:23,206
don't have that reduction that we're getting in we don't get

1260
01:21:23,206 --> 01:21:25,808
the results with the stormwater treatment areas and

1261
01:21:25,808 --> 01:21:28,770
water conservation areas in order to send that water

1262
01:21:28,770 --> 01:21:31,346
south. So that connection really, really matters. It

1263
01:21:31,346 --> 01:21:35,617
also matters upstream. So I appreciate the commentary

1264
01:21:35,617 --> 01:21:37,753
about how we need to do more north of the lake all the way

1265
01:21:37,753 --> 01:21:42,558
to the head waters. The final thing I want to put on

1266
01:21:42,558 --> 01:21:45,895
everybody's radar is the connection with these

1267
01:21:45,895 --> 01:21:49,365
projects. If we don't get all of the projects time and we

1268
01:21:49,365 --> 01:21:54,169
don't pay attention to all the constraints. We have a problem

1269
01:21:54,169 --> 01:21:57,173
where we can utilize the projects. We've got. The one I

1270
01:21:57,173 --> 01:21:58,974
want to put on everybody's radar is a reminder about the

1271
01:21:58,974 --> 01:22:02,778
Cape Sable Seaside Sparrow. We have discussions about the

1272
01:22:02,778 --> 01:22:07,516
captive breeding program. We have efforts in place. But

1273
01:22:07,516 --> 01:22:11,386
we're not there yet. And I would hate to see us not solve

1274
01:22:11,386 --> 01:22:13,856
the Cape Sable. Seaside Sparrow program upside problem

1275
01:22:13,856 --> 01:22:17,993
before we get the EA Reservoir online and and the rest of it,

1276
01:22:17,993 --> 01:22:20,862
right? Because I would hate to catch Jeopardy opinion, right

1277
01:22:20,862 --> 01:22:23,332
when we're trying to put that EA Reservoir online. So I

1278
01:22:23,332 --> 01:22:26,268
think the Cape Sable Seaside Sparrow, distance, everybody's

1279
01:22:26,268 --> 01:22:28,471
attention. Once again, it's really easy to lose track of

1280
01:22:28,471 --> 01:22:30,539
some of these constraints, especially when they seem like

1281
01:22:30,539 --> 01:22:34,810
a small thing. It's a small bird, but it can be a big

1282
01:22:34,810 --> 01:22:36,745
problem. And it's still an issue that we need to work on.

1283
01:22:36,745 --> 01:22:42,170
Thank Thank you very much. >> Last have Mitchell last

1284
01:22:42,170 --> 01:22:48,170
month. Thanks so much. Appreciate it. I just want to

1285
01:22:54,308 --> 01:22:57,845
sort of bring you guys to a historical perspective on the

1286
01:22:57,845 --> 01:22:58,846
lake. >> I mean, maybe all Apollo

1287
01:22:58,846 --> 01:23:02,516
Gray. I don't know if we'll get to that level. But

1288
01:23:02,516 --> 01:23:06,120
>> think about what used to be in the E a how much storage

1289
01:23:06,120 --> 01:23:09,924
was there that the system is able to flow from the lake in

1290
01:23:09,924 --> 01:23:13,861
where the is now and then disseminate through the

1291
01:23:13,861 --> 01:23:18,398
system. We've lost that. We don't have Seymour. And so.

1292
01:23:18,398 --> 01:23:22,402
Where we are right now with the lake being so low for so

1293
01:23:22,402 --> 01:23:24,338
long is a result of the way that we have to manage the

1294
01:23:24,338 --> 01:23:27,475
lake because we've lost that capacity. We have to make sure

1295
01:23:27,475 --> 01:23:31,546
that we don't let the too high because it can be a danger

1296
01:23:31,546 --> 01:23:35,160
right? We also can't let it get too low and there will be

1297
01:23:35,160 --> 01:23:38,752
water supply. And so if we had storage south of Lake

1298
01:23:38,752 --> 01:23:41,220
Okeechobee to solve these problems, we would have to

1299
01:23:41,220 --> 01:23:43,891
manage the lake the way that we are. So this is a symptom

1300
01:23:43,891 --> 01:23:48,691
of a disjointed system that isn't functioning properly.

1301
01:23:48,695 --> 01:23:52,990
And so friends of the Everglades, this proposing a

1302
01:23:52,990 --> 01:23:56,237
rescue, the river of grass solution, which is more

1303
01:23:56,237 --> 01:23:57,638
storage and treatment south of Lake Okeechobee. Even after

1304
01:23:57,638 --> 01:24:03,110
the EA Reservoir. So reservoir only gets us about 20% of the

1305
01:24:03,110 --> 01:24:07,247
way there to our storage goals. We still need to 80%.

1306
01:24:07,247 --> 01:24:12,119
And so we're going to need at least a total of 1.0. 2 5

1307
01:24:12,119 --> 01:24:16,190
million acre feet storage in so will only be at 250,000. So

1308
01:24:16,190 --> 01:24:21,620
think about it like this. When the lake is high and you want

1309
01:24:21,620 --> 01:24:22,997
to get water off the leak, you'll only be able to get

1310
01:24:22,997 --> 01:24:26,601
about a half a foot off a leak and that's generous because

1311
01:24:26,601 --> 01:24:30,538
they're probably be it decent amount of water already in

1312
01:24:30,538 --> 01:24:32,473
that reservoir, right? So that's a best-case scenario

1313
01:24:32,473 --> 01:24:37,780
like, you know, now, think about how much water we could

1314
01:24:37,780 --> 01:24:39,813
get off Lake if we had the right amount of storage south,

1315
01:24:39,813 --> 01:24:44,485
we could get close to 3 foot off the lake. Okay. So that's

1316
01:24:44,485 --> 01:24:45,886
huge, right? That means we don't have to send any water

1317
01:24:45,886 --> 01:24:48,755
to the estuaries. And that means that we can keep the

1318
01:24:48,755 --> 01:24:51,692
water levels healthy, where we need to keep them when we need

1319
01:24:51,692 --> 01:24:55,630
to keep them there keep the system functioning. How ship.

1320
01:24:55,630 --> 01:24:59,767
So we need to focus on getting back there. And I think it's

1321
01:24:59,767 --> 01:25:02,303
going to take everybody. It's not just environmental us and

1322
01:25:02,303 --> 01:25:06,974
the groups and whoever else, you know, it takes everybody

1323
01:25:06,974 --> 01:25:08,976
involved and everybody who cares about this system to

1324
01:25:08,976 --> 01:25:11,912
come together and make this happen. thank you. Thank you

1325
01:25:11,912 --> 01:25:16,712
for your comments. there any additional carts? Okay?

1326
01:25:21,122 --> 01:25:23,658
Commissioners worth item 10 on the agenda. Let's start with

1327
01:25:23,658 --> 01:25:27,258
staff comments >> they could you introduce

1328
01:25:27,928 --> 01:25:29,530
you had some folks here with you from? that's on my agenda,

1329
01:25:29,530 --> 01:25:36,537
Mr. Chair, thank you. Couple of things. One I I'd like to

1330
01:25:36,537 --> 01:25:40,700
take commissioner, but comments about our counties

1331
01:25:40,700 --> 01:25:44,545
can contribution to this and make it more specific and also

1332
01:25:44,545 --> 01:25:46,948
expanded to include the Okeechobee County staff that

1333
01:25:46,948 --> 01:25:51,180
that us here in this beautiful council chambers. But this

1334
01:25:51,180 --> 01:25:55,490
wouldn't happen if it weren't for the work Sarah Fili. And

1335
01:25:55,490 --> 01:25:59,293
think she's hiding over And and Sarah Power's out. We do

1336
01:25:59,293 --> 01:26:00,761
have females that work for Martin County that don't go by

1337
01:26:00,761 --> 01:26:05,561
the name. Sarah. >> I was wondering about I

1338
01:26:05,566 --> 01:26:11,638
want to introduce one of them. This is Alice L there. She's

1339
01:26:11,638 --> 01:26:13,574
our county attorney the nature sheet that the attorneys

1340
01:26:13,574 --> 01:26:16,377
office also help staff to make sure we keep this thing on the

1341
01:26:16,377 --> 01:26:22,116
rails. And to that point, I want to request an agenda item

1342
01:26:22,116 --> 01:26:26,387
if the board be pleased to do this in December.

1343
01:26:26,387 --> 01:26:29,390
>> Some history and in December of 2019, if if and if

1344
01:26:29,390 --> 01:26:33,995
you can remember that the board took action as as part

1345
01:26:33,995 --> 01:26:39,666
of a reorganization to ad, a couple of counties to the

1346
01:26:39,666 --> 01:26:44,472
coalition as voting members and then COVID happened we

1347
01:26:44,472 --> 01:26:49,810
didn't meet for a while. And we did not. We failed and I'll

1348
01:26:49,810 --> 01:26:52,280
take the blame for this. We failed to update the bylaws to

1349
01:26:52,280 --> 01:26:58,850
reflect that action. And so we'd like to clarify that have

1350
01:26:58,850 --> 01:27:03,900
a board resolution in December to update those bylaws. I

1351
01:27:03,900 --> 01:27:05,959
actually caught that the other day I found the okapi went

1352
01:27:05,959 --> 01:27:07,228
online and found the original by laws. And I saw the

1353
01:27:07,228 --> 01:27:12,628
counties that originally started. I want to work with

1354
01:27:14,301 --> 01:27:16,570
Charlotte, now had been at it particularly germane to to

1355
01:27:16,570 --> 01:27:21,175
yourself. Mister >> How do you get to be the

1356
01:27:21,175 --> 01:27:24,111
chairman? What's going We were able to validate that the that

1357
01:27:24,111 --> 01:27:27,447
the board took action and we have that record in the

1358
01:27:27,447 --> 01:27:30,451
minutes weeks. We just need to update laws to reflect that.

1359
01:27:30,451 --> 01:27:35,189
The 7, 8 later. >> So and then I also wanted

1360
01:27:35,189 --> 01:27:41,461
to give a brief update on the boards interest in a trip to

1361
01:27:41,461 --> 01:27:43,530
DC to advance the coalition's priorities with our with

1362
01:27:43,530 --> 01:27:48,536
Congress and with agencies week. We made attempt to do it

1363
01:27:48,536 --> 01:27:53,740
next week and trying to thread the needle between coalition

1364
01:27:53,740 --> 01:27:56,477
members. Busy schedules and the erratic nature of the

1365
01:27:56,477 --> 01:28:00,614
schedules and in DC particularly with the election

1366
01:28:00,614 --> 01:28:04,151
cycle. It went from impractical to impossible. And

1367
01:28:04,151 --> 01:28:08,756
so we pull the rip cord on on a trip for next week. And then

1368
01:28:08,756 --> 01:28:13,494
there is a lot of discussion about that. The idea of having

1369
01:28:13,494 --> 01:28:16,230
a follow-up trip in February to coincide with the National

1370
01:28:16,230 --> 01:28:20,340
Association of counties. So as interested to hear your

1371
01:28:20,340 --> 01:28:24,834
thoughts on on your county's respective participation and

1372
01:28:24,972 --> 01:28:26,373
and Naco and whether or you'd expect to be up there. And

1373
01:28:26,373 --> 01:28:30,644
there was an opportunity for us, we might be able to pick

1374
01:28:30,644 --> 01:28:34,915
PT back on that to have to assemble an Everglades caucus

1375
01:28:34,915 --> 01:28:38,786
and and maybe have a reception or something tonight before to

1376
01:28:38,786 --> 01:28:41,655
really advance the coalition's interest and Lake Okeechobee

1377
01:28:41,655 --> 01:28:47,861
and Everglades. Kick it You know, will be open the safe or

1378
01:28:47,861 --> 01:28:50,597
Naco. I participated on a couple of committees up there

1379
01:28:50,597 --> 01:28:53,200
and I know some of the other members will be there probably

1380
01:28:53,200 --> 01:28:57,270
as well. think that's a great idea to try to integrate the

1381
01:28:57,270 --> 01:29:01,475
Naco trip February roughly mid mid February. Yeah. That would

1382
01:29:01,475 --> 01:29:05,240
make sense to try to figure out some kind of a

1383
01:29:05,240 --> 01:29:08,160
>> schedule over at the Capitol. So I think that I

1384
01:29:08,160 --> 01:29:10,563
think what would be helpful and unite sure had this

1385
01:29:10,563 --> 01:29:16,234
discussion of the day. I that putting together the trip. For

1386
01:29:16,234 --> 01:29:18,637
the next meeting in December. kind itinerary of what you're

1387
01:29:18,637 --> 01:29:22,410
doing dissipate us accomplishing would be very

1388
01:29:22,410 --> 01:29:28,410
helpful. Then we can see. Who really wants to participate

1389
01:29:28,113 --> 01:29:30,116
December would be a good time. Still give us a couple of

1390
01:29:30,116 --> 01:29:33,585
months to make reservations, call all that stuff. So but

1391
01:29:33,585 --> 01:29:36,188
that we will have something to look at in December. This is

1392
01:29:36,188 --> 01:29:38,190
what we plan on doing. This is what we plan on talking about.

1393
01:29:38,190 --> 01:29:44,329
We've got to keep the the agenda kind of tight, 2 or 3

1394
01:29:44,329 --> 01:29:45,931
items. Probably, you know, the the audience doesn't usually

1395
01:29:45,931 --> 01:29:49,802
let us go much longer than that, right? So I think that

1396
01:29:49,802 --> 01:29:53,873
would be very good. suppose my thought anybody else? it

1397
01:29:53,873 --> 01:29:56,542
actually is one of the talking points that I wanted to bring

1398
01:29:56,542 --> 01:30:00,879
up the and my suggestion is pick a date.

1399
01:30:00,879 --> 01:30:02,882
>> this many people what their schedules like. You'll never

1400
01:30:02,882 --> 01:30:06,952
get a consensus pick a date. Those of us that came up

1401
01:30:06,952 --> 01:30:11,890
probably be there anyway with myself, just might. My

1402
01:30:11,890 --> 01:30:14,760
suggestion is pick a day. Don't ask opinions, just pick

1403
01:30:14,760 --> 01:30:19,431
a date. Say this is what we're going to do. It and those of

1404
01:30:19,431 --> 01:30:20,966
us that can go will schedule around that and and pull the

1405
01:30:20,966 --> 01:30:26,371
trigger. I think that's good. I think before nakos meetings

1406
01:30:26,371 --> 01:30:28,573
begin maybe a day so before that.

1407
01:30:28,573 --> 01:30:32,111
>> Probably works out better. Usually at the tail end

1408
01:30:32,111 --> 01:30:37,116
scrambling to get back to to meetings. over. Usually like

1409
01:30:37,116 --> 01:30:41,453
on a Monday or Tuesday. And that's I'm just thinking it

1410
01:30:41,453 --> 01:30:47,590
might be better to try to if we can to try schedule just

1411
01:30:47,590 --> 01:30:48,527
before the NATO meetings to talk about that in on December

1412
01:30:48,527 --> 01:30:51,931
meeting, pick pick a couple of dates. Don't too many opinions

1413
01:30:51,931 --> 01:30:56,131
to sit this. >> Anybody else? The comments?

1414
01:31:00,539 --> 01:31:01,874
We'll do. We'll bring you something in December for

1415
01:31:01,874 --> 01:31:07,274
good. Okay. Staff comments. That's all we've got. And

1416
01:31:08,881 --> 01:31:13,285
congratulations. Then on board another year. Appreciate all

1417
01:31:13,285 --> 01:31:16,889
your help to There were going to start with the board

1418
01:31:16,889 --> 01:31:20,489
comments, Sir. Commission towns of anything.

1419
01:31:21,360 --> 01:31:24,362
Additionally have a great Labor Day Commissioner

1420
01:31:24,362 --> 01:31:25,898
protest. >> I just want to thank

1421
01:31:25,898 --> 01:31:28,300
everybody in attendance and even into for your engagement

1422
01:31:28,300 --> 01:31:31,770
with the audience today. Thank you for stepping forward I

1423
01:31:31,770 --> 01:31:34,906
wanted to thank South Florida water management and the Army

1424
01:31:34,906 --> 01:31:38,243
Corps for your update. That was available today for the C

1425
01:31:38,243 --> 01:31:41,847
43 reservoir. It really means a lot to us in Lee County and

1426
01:31:41,847 --> 01:31:45,451
FWC Lee County is very grateful for the efforts such

1427
01:31:45,451 --> 01:31:50,189
are making to make or Lake Okeechobee health here as a

1428
01:31:50,189 --> 01:31:52,458
stakeholder who receives the most discharged the healthier

1429
01:31:52,458 --> 01:31:55,327
are the water is to us the better the Caloosahatchee

1430
01:31:55,327 --> 01:31:59,197
doing so. Thank you for your efforts on that. And lastly, I

1431
01:31:59,197 --> 01:32:03,469
am honored to be a part of the vote going through for

1432
01:32:03,469 --> 01:32:07,473
reviewing See contract today. Thank you. And thank you for

1433
01:32:07,473 --> 01:32:10,609
having me today. And we have Commissioner Ruane. It's been

1434
01:32:10,609 --> 01:32:12,143
an honor to serve on this collision and the brief time

1435
01:32:12,143 --> 01:32:16,816
that I've been here and I look forward to the barbecue today.

1436
01:32:16,816 --> 01:32:19,618
>> Thank you, Commissioner Commissioner Stanley. Anything

1437
01:32:19,618 --> 01:32:20,886
additional? I don't have anything other than I'm

1438
01:32:20,886 --> 01:32:25,686
looking forward to talking to some of lunchtime.

1439
01:32:28,160 --> 01:32:30,280
Commissioner you're looking for was just want to thank

1440
01:32:30,280 --> 01:32:31,430
everybody that gives of their time and talents to to this

1441
01:32:31,430 --> 01:32:37,235
board. And actually old all the other or is that we, as as

1442
01:32:37,235 --> 01:32:42,174
commissioner said on it takes a lot of time lot of driving.

1443
01:32:42,174 --> 01:32:45,777
So thank you, everybody. For all you do. Thank you, Sir.

1444
01:32:45,777 --> 01:32:50,449
Mr. Yeah, place component of Indian River Lagoon South is

1445
01:32:50,449 --> 01:32:54,490
Mark removal. >> And it absolutely essential

1446
01:32:55,788 --> 01:32:57,656
component. All the the projects leading up to it,

1447
01:32:57,656 --> 01:33:02,127
make it absolutely essential. We can do all these projects.

1448
01:33:02,127 --> 01:33:03,462
But if we don't take kind of the estuary, then we have

1449
01:33:03,462 --> 01:33:08,533
failed. And so that's been it's been hour challenge to

1450
01:33:08,533 --> 01:33:13,938
find. First of all, a site spoil site for Mike Removal.

1451
01:33:13,938 --> 01:33:16,700
And I'm very pleased to say that Martin County negotiated

1452
01:33:16,700 --> 01:33:21,407
with one of our developers and obtained 13225 acres. It's

1453
01:33:24,160 --> 01:33:30,555
next to a find site of 125 acres. These 2 sites are Jason

1454
01:33:30,555 --> 01:33:33,758
to the C 23 Canal. They are in the perfect location in order

1455
01:33:33,758 --> 01:33:41,300
to put the muck spoils on the site. So this will give us the

1456
01:33:41,300 --> 01:33:45,370
finally the opportunity to get that. It's 8 million cubic

1457
01:33:45,370 --> 01:33:47,438
yards of mock the Port St. Lucie Estuary. So hopefully

1458
01:33:47,438 --> 01:33:53,312
now we can proceed with the Army Corps to create I design

1459
01:33:53,312 --> 01:33:55,647
and a work plan get this project underway. Thank you,

1460
01:33:55,647 --> 01:33:59,847
Commissioner. >> Just thank you to all the

1461
01:34:00,586 --> 01:34:02,721
agencies for the very great presentations today.

1462
01:34:02,721 --> 01:34:06,321
Appreciate you. >> I want anything, but

1463
01:34:08,594 --> 01:34:11,263
there's a microphone for me. So on on

1464
01:34:11,263 --> 01:34:13,665
>> Yeah. Thank you to all the agencies who presented today

1465
01:34:13,665 --> 01:34:15,466
is a lot of great work. Just I know Osceola were way up in

1466
01:34:15,466 --> 01:34:19,404
the northern part of this. So probably say this at every

1467
01:34:19,404 --> 01:34:23,275
meeting, but just as simple reminder, I know we haven't

1468
01:34:23,275 --> 01:34:24,676
had a ton of rain in Osceola County and Orange County this

1469
01:34:24,676 --> 01:34:28,614
year. Maybe a little bit lower than normal. I don't want to

1470
01:34:28,614 --> 01:34:31,749
challenge what south Florida says, but just from were a

1471
01:34:31,749 --> 01:34:35,753
little bit drier on our ranch, the normal for sure. But I do

1472
01:34:35,753 --> 01:34:38,623
remind everybody and it's great that we don't have the

1473
01:34:38,623 --> 01:34:40,250
discharges and all that. But this that organization used to

1474
01:34:40,250 --> 01:34:45,425
be called flood control we're not going to flood. 25 30, 40,

1475
01:34:47,499 --> 01:34:49,234
50,000 homes in Orange and Osceola County because there's

1476
01:34:49,234 --> 01:34:53,380
a little too much phosphorus in the water. So always keep

1477
01:34:53,380 --> 01:34:56,641
that in mind that that that its safety of people and flood

1478
01:34:56,641 --> 01:35:01,380
control and property first. And then all the important

1479
01:35:01,380 --> 01:35:04,582
things a very, very important, much removal, phosphorus

1480
01:35:04,582 --> 01:35:09,521
removal, all of those things. But when we have these major

1481
01:35:09,521 --> 01:35:11,924
events, we got to move the water south and it's coming to

1482
01:35:11,924 --> 01:35:14,871
you. And so just just always try to keep that in mind. And

1483
01:35:14,871 --> 01:35:18,275
that's why I'm glad to be a part of that. The here, how

1484
01:35:18,275 --> 01:35:20,677
all of this works and how all of this has put together in

1485
01:35:20,677 --> 01:35:26,677
the southern part of this region. just one small voiced

1486
01:35:26,950 --> 01:35:29,953
To remind everybody houses aren't going anywhere.

1487
01:35:29,953 --> 01:35:35,353
Unfortunately. all the gave the updates like like the

1488
01:35:37,360 --> 01:35:39,696
other board members mentioned. Thank you.

1489
01:35:39,696 --> 01:35:41,832
>> And it takes days to get these reports ready for us.

1490
01:35:41,832 --> 01:35:45,235
And then to show up another day and lose another day of

1491
01:35:45,235 --> 01:35:49,439
work, too present. This is as important to us. Because we're

1492
01:35:49,439 --> 01:35:51,174
not seeing what you're seeing on day-to-day basis. Those

1493
01:35:51,174 --> 01:35:56,113
presentations Ceasar. Well get this the ammunition to fight

1494
01:35:56,113 --> 01:35:58,181
for this lake fight for the estuaries. And we're going to

1495
01:35:58,181 --> 01:36:01,318
continue to do so. So this board is a board of action. So

1496
01:36:01,318 --> 01:36:03,520
tell us your wishlist has how much money you need tells what

1497
01:36:03,520 --> 01:36:05,588
projects you want to do and let us help fight for you. So

1498
01:36:05,588 --> 01:36:09,788
I got. Commissioner >> Well, I one brief

1499
01:36:12,262 --> 01:36:15,862
complaint. Commissioner Booth has allowed everybody,

1500
01:36:16,199 --> 01:36:21,337
including the agencies to refer to it as Mark. I was

1501
01:36:21,337 --> 01:36:24,474
corrected several years ago. I've been on the pedestal for

1502
01:36:24,474 --> 01:36:29,412
a long time. Guests. Can I guess legacy said it legacy so

1503
01:36:29,412 --> 01:36:33,617
I would like it added into de ligas. See sediment does that.

1504
01:36:33,617 --> 01:36:39,355
That's a real word. what at the end of the day, what's

1505
01:36:39,355 --> 01:36:42,292
what brought them create? >> With breadth, the depth

1506
01:36:42,292 --> 01:36:47,497
creates of all you. >> History matters. We had a

1507
01:36:47,497 --> 01:36:51,634
speaker that talked about what was going on with history.

1508
01:36:51,634 --> 01:36:54,771
Ivor, I know for the several years that I've been here,

1509
01:36:54,771 --> 01:36:59,576
we've had levels of a higher levels of rainfall or good

1510
01:36:59,576 --> 01:37:00,844
lord, send rain, not we have to fight the level of lake.

1511
01:37:00,844 --> 01:37:06,116
>> Right now we're at a lower stage and the agencies are

1512
01:37:06,116 --> 01:37:09,186
allowed to hop in there and grab can do what it is. The

1513
01:37:09,186 --> 01:37:13,924
legacy sediment as too as this referred to and create value,

1514
01:37:13,924 --> 01:37:17,524
I would like. Us this organization 2.

1515
01:37:21,799 --> 01:37:25,936
>> to to to to, to begin to address the legacy sediment

1516
01:37:25,936 --> 01:37:31,275
that is there in the lake today. Somehow some way. We've

1517
01:37:31,275 --> 01:37:34,275
had several presentations dredging operations.

1518
01:37:36,947 --> 01:37:41,418
>> And the like and I would like I would.

1519
01:37:41,418 --> 01:37:42,819
>> I would think it's imperative, especially at this

1520
01:37:42,819 --> 01:37:45,555
stage with what we have going on north of the lake with what

1521
01:37:45,555 --> 01:37:48,250
we have going on south of the lake with the reservoirs and

1522
01:37:48,250 --> 01:37:52,629
so on the C 43 reservoir. It's going to be enormous for the

1523
01:37:52,629 --> 01:37:54,297
water quality that we have coming out on the

1524
01:37:54,297 --> 01:37:59,970
Caloosahatchee. History matters. So I would like for

1525
01:38:01,905 --> 01:38:05,842
us this organization to take that up of some particular

1526
01:38:05,842 --> 01:38:08,645
stage, even if it means bringing in different

1527
01:38:08,645 --> 01:38:12,382
presenters and so on to discuss the minute, the

1528
01:38:12,382 --> 01:38:14,985
methodology so that we're not dancing around what the good

1529
01:38:14,985 --> 01:38:18,321
Lord is sending us with regard to water levels to the north

1530
01:38:18,321 --> 01:38:25,521
and so on areas that are flowing into the lake. I would

1531
01:38:27,531 --> 01:38:31,680
like us to. I would like to see the capacity volume

1532
01:38:31,680 --> 01:38:35,205
created within the lake. So the less. Human interaction

1533
01:38:35,205 --> 01:38:39,609
with control of the lake level. I mean, we've we've

1534
01:38:39,609 --> 01:38:41,110
listened to ecologist and environmentalist talk to us

1535
01:38:41,110 --> 01:38:45,949
about the happy levels of the lake. And my brain tells me is

1536
01:38:45,949 --> 01:38:48,552
love and 12 feet. And then we start talking about 13 feet.

1537
01:38:48,552 --> 01:38:51,221
You've got to get through the locks and and so on and so

1538
01:38:51,221 --> 01:38:59,210
forth. So might my I want is for us to take take that

1539
01:39:01,164 --> 01:39:05,234
subject matter up in-depth again. It has to do with And

1540
01:39:05,234 --> 01:39:07,904
if we can coordinate a trip coming up, that's something

1541
01:39:07,904 --> 01:39:11,307
that we can talk about with the federal government. My

1542
01:39:11,307 --> 01:39:17,907
other ask is from the agencies. I want to I noticed

1543
01:39:18,314 --> 01:39:19,582
today that there was no historical report of the lake

1544
01:39:19,582 --> 01:39:24,855
level. I would like to see that regularly at these

1545
01:39:24,855 --> 01:39:28,792
meetings. I mean, Commissioner Stanley and I serve on the are

1546
01:39:28,792 --> 01:39:32,796
perceived southwest Florida Regional Planning Council. And

1547
01:39:32,796 --> 01:39:36,732
lives right by it. So you can look at it and see what the

1548
01:39:36,732 --> 01:39:41,671
lake level I would like that. I would like that information

1549
01:39:41,671 --> 01:39:45,342
regularly coming to this organization. Thank you.

1550
01:39:45,342 --> 01:39:48,942
Commissioners, far as historical levels. The

1551
01:39:50,747 --> 01:39:53,149
district can probably correct me. But I think on your

1552
01:39:53,149 --> 01:39:58,210
website, I have seen a graph that shows multiple years of

1553
01:39:58,210 --> 01:40:00,824
the level of the lake to write words, what it's doing right

1554
01:40:00,824 --> 01:40:05,294
now. I didn't bring it with me, but it's on their website.

1555
01:40:05,294 --> 01:40:07,497
>> Lake Okeechobee, click tap into some menu of things to go

1556
01:40:07,497 --> 01:40:10,233
down. I believe I'm correct on date is there. But having it

1557
01:40:10,233 --> 01:40:12,836
at this meeting would be very helpful just to keep keep it

1558
01:40:12,836 --> 01:40:17,573
all in perspective. And that's quite honestly, Commissioner

1559
01:40:17,573 --> 01:40:20,176
Daniel, what you brought up about the settlement

1560
01:40:20,176 --> 01:40:24,470
discussion and so forth is he's probably the key item. I

1561
01:40:24,470 --> 01:40:28,718
would like to see us address when we go to D C because and

1562
01:40:28,718 --> 01:40:30,253
get quick update thanking them for all the work that's

1563
01:40:30,253 --> 01:40:35,324
occurred occurred today. But really plugging in the fact

1564
01:40:35,324 --> 01:40:40,864
that this is this initiative is high priority. And so this

1565
01:40:40,864 --> 01:40:43,933
particular coalition, this new group of members of the

1566
01:40:43,933 --> 01:40:45,402
coalition really like a relay race at the baton has been

1567
01:40:45,402 --> 01:40:50,802
passed to We're running with it. Mark Removal Legacy

1568
01:40:52,209 --> 01:40:56,546
sediment. ultimate Power. What is is a top priority.

1569
01:40:56,546 --> 01:40:59,150
Commissioners. I think we have completed everything on our

1570
01:40:59,150 --> 01:41:02,152
agenda today. The only thing I want to do now is is remind

1571
01:41:02,152 --> 01:41:05,421
everyone that I don't know what time that they expect us

1572
01:41:05,421 --> 01:41:11,421
over church. Do we know? 1 o'clock of For the barbecue.

1573
01:41:12,562 --> 01:41:16,766
Anybody know. said they weren't expecting us at 10.

1574
01:41:16,766 --> 01:41:19,836
45? We're not there. They probably were. But I would

1575
01:41:19,836 --> 01:41:23,500
assume that we could all find things to the doors are locked

1576
01:41:23,500 --> 01:41:24,853
and we know we have to wait a few minutes I don't think the

1577
01:41:24,853 --> 01:41:28,990
doors are ever locked. >> Okay. Well, let's just want

1578
01:41:28,990 --> 01:41:31,792
to remind everybody the barbecues down at the first

1579
01:41:31,792 --> 01:41:37,192
the United Methodist Church it starts. Momentarily. I guess.

1580
01:41:38,732 --> 01:41:43,671
And there's no charge to to participate this year. So