>> Good morning, everyone. If
I can ask you to take your
seats will get started. It's
nice to see the energy in the
room this morning. Good
morning, everybody. It's
2/13/2025? I'm gonna call the
business meeting. The
governing board of the South
Florida Water Management
District order. First as
always, we're going to say the
Pledge of Allegiance, Mr.
Styling. It's like to lead us
in the pledge. If you all
would stand and face the flag.
Thanks, Jane, very much. Nice
to see you all Vice Chair
Wagner is not gonna be able to
join us today. Mr. Martinez,
Mr. Bergeron are on their way
there in traffic. Ms Meads is
joining us remotely. Surely
you on. Yes, I'm here. behind
here. it. Thanks, Sheryl. Mr.
is here. Board members I'm
gonna has to make sure that
your microphone is on and you
please speak into the mic. So
the online attendees can hear
you when we're talking members
of the public on zoom who wish
to address the board can use
the raise your hand feature.
Members of the public are
having any trouble and need to
help. Please go to our
website. Sfwmd Dot Gov and
click the Ask Us Button at the
top of the page help you out.
If using a phone and you'd
like to comment, please. Press
star 9 to raise your hand and
star 6 to mute and Unmute as a
courtesy to others who wish to
speak. Members of the public
are asked to comment only once
on each topic. We'll take
public comment first from
those are here in person and
submitted a comment card
followed by those with raised
hands on Zoom. Now we're gonna
go to employee recognitions.
We have 2 months of employee
recognition. So walking out of
the well. Thank you, Mister
Chair. All right. Yeah, we got
a few of them. So our January
2025 employee of the month.
>> As Jamal Es de su section
later, water resources and
systems model. So as we all
know, modeling is as really a
cornerstone of what we do with
the South Florida Water
Management District. Ellis
undertook incredible effort to
update our regional simulation
model for our northern
watersheds in order for us
this year to do our watershed
protection update. So these
are the models simulate water
movement and Port St. Lucie
Estuary Lake Okeechobee
watershed and the
Caloosahatchee estuary. So the
difference. So we've had this
model. But the difference that
some Ellis undertook was
inserting all of our dispersed
water management projects into
that model. So we had more
accurate water modeling and
the guess what? There are 29
of them. And those those tree
watersheds and they're all
different. Every single one of
them is different. And so that
to incorporate them into the
model, you've got to. He
worked with the approach
project managers to understand
all the details of how the
water flowed the know that up
when it seems the seepage, all
those types of things that he
could get into the model for
all. 29 of them. It took a lot
of effort, but now we have
this new model. We have a
model that can that can help
us to our planning. It can
help us to our waters. All
kinds of plans, right? Because
it's once you have it, you
have And it was only because
of him that his efforts and
his attention to detail that
we have this updated model
that not only we can use, but
our public and stakeholders
can use so for that analysis,
our employee of the month. And
we really appreciate his
efforts.
All right. Our
January 2025, team of the
month as our enforcement
wetland protection team. That
is Allison Brown, Patricia
Guzman, Mary Hall, Emily
Johnson Beni Ortiz. Julie
Russell, Caleb Signet seconds.
Caleb seconds. Darrell
Stoddard, Gregory Vasquez and
Lashonda Wilson. We had a
situation in Miami-Dade County
wher70 acres of wetlands are
being filled and impacted and
that's a bad thing, right? And
we take wetlands very
seriously. In the South
Florida Water Management
district. But as they started
peeling back the onion on this
enforcement case, it got super
complex because it was kind of
a single operation. But it was
29 different land, landowners
and kind of some operations of
the operation. So it was a
very complex hitting the 70
acres. So they had to pull all
this data together. Get the
detail, right, because when
you move into an enforcement
action, you got to get it just
right. And so then we issued
an administrative complaint,
order for corrective action
for them, too, mitigate coming
for permits. Everything they
needed to do to come in
compliance with the law. And
that was hard itself. But then
it gets worse because they
didn't stop, right? So they
they continue to fill. And so
they had to mobilize and do an
injunction. And in the circuit
court, right? And so that's a
big deal. And that got this
defendant's attention,
defendants, plural, attention
because that injunction is an
enforcement action. Court can
issue it. And then there's the
police arrived right? And so
they started paying attention.
And this this settlement
negotiation to try to get them
in the Cup. Clients took
weeks. It was laborious and
ultimately resulted in a 44
page consent order with very
tough milestones, very strict
enforcement mechanisms. If
they got off track as they
lost trust already, right? So
they get off track. It was
immediate injunction and then
$740,000 worth of fines this
person is in compliance now.
Right? So is 1000. I mean,
that that order. 44 pages. But
if you put the exhibits and
has more than 1000 pages, so
and that took a lot of detail,
a lot of work to get a tough
to get it to together. And it
was a it was tough work. But
now things are in order in
Miami-Dade County on the 70
acres. And we really
appreciate this team for
making it happen for us.
All
right. Our February 2025
employee of the month as in
also known as So is actually
in the Office of Council and
what she is getting recognized
for is all of detailed hard
work on our resiliency grants
program and we have a we
resiliency program, as you
know, has taken off and part
of that taking office pursuing
state in federal dollars. And
so what this what the agency
has been able to do is secure
45 agreements for 600 for
640 million dollars worth of
projects through these
resiliency grants. When would
you put these things together?
It takes everyone across the
district to make it happen.
You need the Administrative
Services division,
construction, modeling, water,
resources, field operations,
regulation and ecosystem,
restoration permitting. And so
when you have all those pieces
coming together in a project
with that's supported by
grant, that then that grant
funds further agreements.
Everything has to line up and
leaders emerge right and Yene
became that later when she
helped all these programs
organized to make sure the
details were there to make
sure that we use the money in
accordance with the grant and
who is sub with used the money
in accordance with a grant.
It's a a minute in order to
get reimbursed by these
grants. Everything has to line
up and those for those 45
different agreements that have
to line up with these things
and really would have happened
without you in a kind of
showing the leadership
stepping forward and making
sure everything was lined
because when you have
something that has so many
moving parts, you need that
leader to emerge, right? And
you any fill that gap and we
really appreciate that because
if not for our resiliency
program wouldn't be where it
is. You as a side note and
that's why he's getting
employee of the month. But as
a side note, during this whole
time, she was also the lead
litigator for litigation on a
permit that we had and helped
with a 7 week trial. So that's
a lot of work for for an
attorney. We look for leaders
all across This organization
and many became one of those
and we know are. And that's
why she is employ the month.
Congratulate.
Are February
2025. Team of the month. You
may have heard of this project
is the Western Everglades
Restoration Project that
consists of Larry Brady on
Michael Cheek. Eric Klein,
Nancy Demme and strong land
Fernandez, Marissa Code app.
Jody Hutchens. And then that
air you can. Halle Jarveon
Amanda Con Julie and Little
Rock. Wayne Lewis, John
Madden. Amanda McKenzie, Alexa
Menashe, Savannah, Middle Bush
Sesh year 9 year. She now
year. Sarah. Only Mendy
parrot, Armando Ramirez, Peter
Raw, like Fred Sklar, Naim
Ming Leslie Waugh and Lori,
when Kurt Lane. This is this
is a big team because it was a
big planning effort. But it
started in 2016 and kind of
take the long it was very
difficult. It's a difficult
planning project because you
have 2 tribes, a national big
Cypress preserve national
lands and then a lot of sort
of legacy landowners around in
the bay in the basin as well.
So it it took a lot of
coordination. And as this
board knows very well, it had
some bumpy parts and that's
putting it mildly but this
district doesn't buckle under
bumpy parts, right? We try to
figure out a solution and it
was really this team that up
put their heads you know,
rolled up their sleeves and
figured out how to get the
right place that worked with
all the stakeholders that had
the right modeling the right
support to get authorized by
Congress. And that's a lot of
detail that's cost estimates
that's designed. That's
engineering. That's working
with stakeholders primarily in
this And this team really just
spearheaded that. And over the
last year in 2024, it was it
was days and days of work
nights of work. Weekends of
work to try to get this thing
ready for Congress. And by
golly, it got Got authorized
in 2024. And if you had asked
us in 2023, whether it was
going to authorize you to send
out. But it's because of this
team. And I I do think that
from the bottom of my heart
that it did get authorized in
2024. And so I want to thank
them for their service and
congratulations for being team
of the month.
it's really just
I think Amando. Thank you. I
Thank you.
>> Okay, we have a 30 year
service award. That's it for
teams. So now we have a 30
year service award and that is
Benjamin Boland. He's a senior
scientist in our field
operations center, then came
to us 30 years ago in 1995.
And jumped right into water,
quality sampling and he
sampled everywhere around the
water management district, an
order watersheds the southern
Everglades everywhere. And he
did for 18 years. He knows how
to collect samples and how to
get that data in the field.
And and he did that for 18
years going through the swamps
and air boats and outboard
boats swamp buggies and
everything out there in the
field, getting the samples
making sure they were
collected correctly. And then
after those 18 years, he
realized that we hadn't
actually invented
airconditioning. And so and so
he decided that he was going
to move into the laboratory
where he put his skills to
work in the laboratory because
he knows the field, right? He
knows the field. And so he
went into the sample. sample
log in unit, which is
basically the interface
between getting those fields
samples and getting him into
the lab, making sure all the Q
A is correct. All the
documentation. Is there all
kinds of different sample
soil, water, you name it. He's
they're making sure that it
gets into the lab. He's a
problem solver because it
doesn't always come in, you
know, with all the night, all
the things you need. So was
able to solve the problems,
make sure that the Q A was
there. And we've talked about
how important Q A IS because
we don't have Things really
fall apart. So he was there to
make sure that work the work
he does such a good time job
that he was promoted in the
client services, right where
he worked with the project
managers, making sure that
that design was right. The
sampling was right. everything
was coordinate its not only
that with our lab, but with
external labs, other ones that
we contract out. So he became
that customer client and her
face again showed his problem
solving skills, make sure all
the data was there on
everything went according to
plan and we do science. We do
it right here on You don't
ever hear where we messed that
up right. And that's because
of folks like then eventually.
So he did that so well. And
yet such good attention to
detail that they said, Hey,
Ben, won't you? also? Some
budget work for us. And that
was like budget gross suspect.
But now he jumped into a cause
that's ban and and, you know,
we care about efficiency. We
care about stretching the
dollar and so he was able to
help plan budget help manage
budget to make sure that we
were able to get the job done
with the budget. We had look
for those efficiencies as our
workload group and really
became not only sort interface
with the client, but also just
a manager of the budget within
the lab. And then he was
recently and 2024 promoted to
the senior environmental sent
scientists or now he's leading
a team training. Everybody
making sure they have his same
work ethic. It's been a great
30 year. See, you from from
his beginning, he's created
the data that we still use
today. And we will use way
into the future. So Ben, thank
you for your service over
those 30 years.
All right. One
more service award. 35 years
of service for Marsy's Under
Section administrator.
>> Yeah, Marcia is a fan
favorite like I So she she
came to us in 1990, and she
was a title examiner,
basically and and she was that
until 2015 when she became
section administrator. Now she
is one of the best title
people that I've ever met
actually haven't met that
many. But and that's sheet.
But I know and we all know
that when she does that title
work her staff does that title
work? It is correct. It is
always correct. And and so she
she is that encyclopedia of
knowledge when it comes to
district real estate. We use
all the time when we're in
meetings with her and she says
something we know it's it's So
so weak. She brings that
amazing amount of credibility.
I would also say that she has
the patience of job because
she has to work with all the
local governments, all the
other government agencies, the
core, everyone that has our
own rules, their own way of
doing real estate and try to
sort it out with the district.
And there's been experience
recently where that was tested
tested very hardly. And and
she she helped us out. We got
through it. It's actually on
the agenda today of. But
Marcia was wonderful in that.
She's also she was also part
of the statutory change that
she led the effort on from the
district where, you know, we
have reservations right? But
that the statute used to kind
make those vulnerable, you
know, to take over whatever.
But now that statue change.
And now there are solid. You
know, we have actively release
them for them to be used and
other things. So she's looking
out for our resources and our
land and our real estate. And
she does a great job on that,
too. I also understand she's
fast. Not me literally fast.
Apparently like 5 years. And
over time, the men real estate
were bragging about how fast
they can run and Marcy like I
can run and so the survey team
put staked out very accurately
100 yard dash. Along our all
right away behind the building
here and they took off and
raced and Marcy came in second
place, just barely but way
ahead of 3rd place. And so
she. She she wrote that
stamped her name as fast and
right now, survey staking out
another 100 yard meter dash.
And we're going to try to
create recreate that moment.
also, she is a mother of 2
grandmother of 4. That sounds
like a wonderful set up. She
is enjoys hiking, gardening
spending time with her rescue
dog Juno traveling. But she is
intense gator football fan and
and baseball and its. And
while that can be annoying at
times, this really charming
coming from her. So anyway,
thank you so much. Marseille
for 35 years of service.
thank
you so much for doing that.
True.
>> We'll move now to agenda
item number 4, which revisions
see if there are any real
revisions that Molly. There
are none. Mister Chairman, you
revisions. Do we have any
abstentions by board members?
I'm going to pull you on this
and we'll start with Mister
Bergeron. Thank you, Mr. I
have girl. None genus Thank
you, Mr. Butler, I have thank
you. And this means none.
Thank you. Now we're going to
go to the chairman of the
Audit and Finance committee
Mr. Stein Lee for his report.
Okay with me. Why? she's
finding classes thank you. For
the meeting held on December.
12th the Audit and Finance
Committee report started
investment. investment update.
This is through act. The end
of October.
>> And that was district
continued its strategy of
maintaining 5 Million. Thanks
in Operating county today and
investing all excess cash in
overnight money market funds
with an average yield of 4.5,
3%. So again, that the idea is
to increase the yield versus
the one percent operating
account. This active
management strategy allows
staff to maximize returns
ensure and also ensuring tale
daily liquidity through
October 31st. 20 for the
portfolio. Balance was
388 million dollars.
investment allocation of 70%
in long-term investments and
30% in cash and cash
equivalents district will
continue to hold onto until
maturity or until rates point
for the district will realize
losses or would realize
potential gains on any bond
sales. We discussed the
committee discussed the
district's increase spending
requirements and the
importance of liquidity which
this plan is maintaining. We
then moved on to the inspector
general's audit. Reports you
presented to our reports for
the committee for approval.
The first was for monitoring
review of construction change
orders. And this was a period
from April. 24 through
September. 24, that review
found that the change orders
were properly input into Eve
builder authorize
appropriately and accurately
calculated change order.
Average percentage was
calculated at 24.5%. With all
the contracts considered and
4.5%, 3 out lighter contracts
excluded. So this was within
the industry standard range of
approximately 8 to 14%.
Actually lower than it when
excluding outliers. The 3
outliers were result of
significant changes in the
scope of work. The second
audit report was the audit of
Department of Motor Vehicle
Fire File security. The
objective was to determine
whether district internal
controls related to employee
driver's license. Information
received from the DMV were
adequate to ensure that the
DMV records were protected
from on authorize use. And
that audit found that overall
adequate internal controls
were in place to protect DMV,
personal data. Lastly, Mr.
Parents presented the proposed
audit plan for fiscal year. 24
25 in the long term audit plan
for fiscal years. 26. Through
the committee approved both
auto plants and that
adjourned. The meeting. Mister
Chair. Thank you. Chair
Stoney's. Anyone have any
questions or comments. Thanks.
Hearing on. We'll move on to
the approval of the minutes of
the December. 12th 2024 board
meetings. Anyone have any
changes to the minutes for
that meeting.
>> A move to approve Mister
Chair. Thank motion. Second
second, a motion a second. Is
there further discussion? If
not, we'll call that question,
Mr. Bergeron. Yes, thank you,
Mr. Styling. Yes, I'm gonna
vote. Yes, Caron. Yes. Thank
you, Mr. Mr. Butler. Yes, MS
meads. Yes, thanks. That
passes unanimously. We'll move
now to the executive director
report with Mr. Bartlett.
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
>> First thing I like to do
today as address the South
Southland Reservoir proposal.
As you know, last year,
Phillips and Jordan approached
the district with a proposal
to build storage on private
land in the Everglades
Agricultural area. For context
in a water management system
storage is the critical
component to conduct a flood
control without harming
downstream resources
downstream water bodies. And
once it's in the storage
recourse, you have it during
the dry season for water
supply for people and the
environment. Naturally one
more story. Opportunities
present themselves. The
district will entertain the
idea by doing our due
diligence to see if those
opportunities are meaningful
and feasible. In this case,
the district is interested in
more storage and more
treatment in this area to help
manage lake levels. Help
control harmful estuary
discharge and send more water
South. However, we cannot just
jump into a proposal. There is
a process under state law to
evaluate these proposals. It's
called the public-private
partnerships statute, which
provides guidance for
evaluating unsolicited
proposals. And that's the
process. The district is
using. The district's
unsolicited proposals. Process
can be found on our website
under procurement. And all the
unsolicited proposals that the
district has received can also
be found on that website. I
provided you a summary, a
high-level summary of what
that process is. And I've got
copies of extra copies. If
anyone in the audience would
like one but there's a more
detailed explanation that
process on the website. On
that Web pages, the Southland
Reservoir proposal and a
letter written by district
staff sent to Phillips and
Jordan conveying where we were
in our review and evaluation
and the steps necessary to
continue our evaluation. The
letter does include language
regarding the likelihood of
the project that the company
can use to engage Palm Beach
County requirements. Palm
Beach counties looking at it
from a land use lands. But the
water management district is
looking at it purely from a
water management plans. While
we have not conducted our full
review. We do know that
through our own experience
that with the right
engineering and configuration,
storage and treatment can be
accomplished in the area that
will improve our operations
for the benefit of the
environment and people.
Ultimately after staff review
in vetting staff concludes it
is a viable storage and
treatment project that will
provide regional benefits. It
will not impact the
construction or operation of
the EA Reservoir Project. The
staff will bring the project
to the board for your
consideration before entering
into what's called a
comprehensive agreement as
outlined in Florida statutes.
We project that the staff
review of this proposal will
happen over the next year. If
staff concludes that it is
viable and does not conflict
with the EA Reservoir Project,
only then will the district
staff bring it to the board
for your consideration? At
this time? There's really
nothing for you to review or
approve. That AIDS in from
Philips and Jordan is in
attendance. If you have any
questions regarding their
proposal after I conclude my
executive director's report,
I'll be here to answer any
process questions with Mayor
Cruz's support and it just
goes without saying as always,
we appreciate any engagement
and stakeholder engagement. We
get on any of our projects,
including this project from
the public, the board,
anybody, it only makes
projects better and I suspect
you might get some engagement
on this project. All right.
That's all ahead for the South
and reservoir proposal. I do
want to convey to you the
governor's budget request that
he submitted to the
Legislature because it has
substantial funds for our
environment and for the water
management district.
805 million dedicated to
Everglades restoration. That
727 million to serve and
78 million for the northern
estuaries and Everglades
restoration program.
Substantial funds. In
addition, 150 million to the
water management district
dedicated to the operating and
maintaining our critical flood
control infrastructure and our
Everglades restoration
infrastructure. Incredible
input and to South Florida's
resiliency, South Florida's
future and the sustainability
of our operations. We really
appreciate his his dedication
to our efforts. Also, FDP is
getting significant funds for
our environment, particularly
in some resources. We care
much about 100 million dollars
for the Indian River Lagoon.
Restoration. 25 million
dollars to improve water
quality in the Caloosahatchee
River watershed 20 million to
include improve water quality
of Biscayne Bay and an
80 million dollar infusion and
the lower Kissimmee Basin
stormwater treatment area to
treat that hot spot entering
Lake Okeechobee. But wait,
there's more. FDOT. the
governor directed FDOT through
their works, plug a program to
expedite raising the remainder
of Tamiami trail through Big
Cypress. That's right.
Bridging water conveyance,
wildlife protection, all for
the rest of Tamiami Trail
uncorking the whole thing.
That's pretty impressive. And
looking forward to seeing
that. So while he has
champing, a great budget, it's
up to us to show why were
worth investing right. So what
you have in front of you as a
flyer that we've been we've
put together to demonstrate
how we are effectively using
taxpayers dollars at the water
Management district. And it
does convey that over the last
15 years we have been able to
reduce costs at the water
management district through
with fte reductions where
necessary and operational
budget productions like a
percent reduction in the
operational budget of the
district. While at the same
time during those 15 years
increasing the our permit
reviews by almost 40%.
Managing new critical water
infrastructure, culverts and
gates and structures and pumps
increased by 52% over that
time period. The land that we
manage increased 80% over that
time period. And with all the
construction were doing, the
construction were managing has
increased by almost 600% over
that time period. Efficient,
effective use of water. of our
of our resources and the
taxpayer dollars. But the
district every year is looking
for more ways to stretch that
dollar more efficiencies in
the staff to a great job on
that. Then the budget
submitted January. There's a
long list of efficiencies
we've implemented and that
puts us into a position to do
some more cuts in areas where
we can do those cuts and move
those those monies and 2
operations and maintenance of
the sustainability of South
Florida. Those are outlined at
the bottom of this flyer. So
not only is the funding
request encouraging. also want
to couple that with the fact
that we are very efficient and
affected district with the use
of taxpayers dollars. All
right. So as I conclude, I
want to say. Congratulations
to our swamp, King and Queen
Charlotte romance who was
crowned at the Everglades
Coalition conference, very
well-deserved honor for
Charlotte Swamp 20. I also
want to thank Lieutenant
Governor, Jeanette Nunez. She
is stepping down to take
another great position that f
I U. But she's been very much
a supporter of Everglades
restoration. She was at the
seepage Wall. Groundbreaking
44 event, she was in the
Everglades with Mister
Bergeron and tribal members.
And been very supportive of
the python challenge, she was
always there when we needed R.
And so we wanted to thank her
for her great service and
support over those years.
That's all I have. Mister
Chair. Thank you. Miss
Burleson. Don't have any
questions or comments for I
thought I just have few quite
terms of Southland questions.
Now.
>> Short, I thank you for now.
Obviously there's been some
reporting on the on the
proposal and I appreciate you
guys sharing sort of the the
unsolicited proposal process
and sort of how we have
approached I think it's we're
saying that, you know, I think
there was impression that we
had approved her door a
project. And I think it's
important. Thank you for
clarifying that. There's still
a lot to consider and that
it's going to be a public and
transparent process. clearly
one of those things for mine
close to a reservoir that's
close to the EA Reservoir that
we're spending investing so
much money in. We want to be
we want to take into
consideration any of the
insular effects of a blasting
everything I'd be interested
if you don't mind just a few
questions to learn about the
business plan and sort of the
transition from a mining
operation to a water quality
feature. Excuse me, a
reservoir features so, you
know, specifically as you guys
look at this, what is the
business plan look like in the
form of how revenues are going
to be dedicated to delivering.
And I know we're at the early
stages of this in terms of
planning but to delivering
sort of a finish reservoir
product project and then on an
ongoing basis. Obviously, you
know, the district has a ton
of projects were making a lot
of process or progress but as
we do that and get things
online, our operation and
management budget continues to
I'm really interested in how
you guys are exploring how
some of those revenues can be
considered for the future
operations of of a potential
reservoir. There's 2 parts of
Yeah, there from from reading
this correctly. The initial
part of that is is how we are
creating water reservoir
itself and how those revenues
are generated there, which is
coming from the agger move a
lot obviously.
>> And we will construct those
those watersheds cells from
that from that process.
Already, the team has borne
the cost of all the
engineering design.
environmental research that
has to been done within that
extensively so far we've
learned that call so far. As
you said, we're still quite a
ways away to working with the
district of to finish out the
process and come up with the
rest of the budget as far
within this concern, we've
recognized that when it was a
problem and issue for the
district long before Southland
came to like. And it's been a
discussion that continue to
have over the years that we've
worked for the district and
we're working to those ideas.
Now, there've been several put
on the table work, executive
director develop those ideas,
whether the set asides out of
the project cost of the
project Revenue Weathersby. We
continue to handle it involve
were on site for the years to
come. And that's the case. You
have 5, 10, 20 plus years for
handling not only but the
those are all still details or
working out, not just for this
project, but for other
projects. We're doing the same
thing north of like they're
just a seven-year process.
Their work Hanley, 5 of 7
years of successful operations
of the district gets the Keys
to the project of the
>> And and and in terms of I'm
sorry,
>> Government, can we get your
name? Matt Matt, it's and
Phil's son Jordan.
>> There's been little
discussion sort of a quality
component that could
potentially be in in
considered in the plant. Who
is that? Is that still the
direction you guys are
considering? It's still a
consideration right now. We're
still vetting that through the
district, obviously right now.
Initially we're trying to
create as much storage can the
next 5 years. We understand
STA 5, 6, 8 of the water
transfer to the other side
because it does experience dry
out.
>> Our initial efforts will be
to give that first 20,000 acre
feet under 5 years. And that
will immediately start to feed
the offsets for STA 5, 6, as
we work through this process
and continue with the district
will consider looking at
future technology.
>> Yeah, listen on. I'm
interested in staying, you
involved in an updated on on
how you guys are looking at
this. I think I think there's
broad consensus that.
>> More water storage is
beneficial.
>> especially if it includes
water, quality component and
listen, especially if it's at
a lower cost to taxpayers in
terms of finished product and
the and the ongoing
management. So hope you'll
just consider those factors.
If you don't mind, I'd like to
take a second to address
another couple of items
actually matter where don't
want to do a presentation on
this because we did not
advertise it that way. And I
don't think it's fair to
people.
>> don't have a chance to
maybe rebut if they if they
don't like the project are at
the end and I think they
should have that opportunity
should should have been
noticed. And we didn't notice
it. So I don't mind us in
question, particularly since
this is in your district. I
will ask you one further
question. But this is more
process than actual project.
And that's 8. Do anticipate
taxpayer money being used on
Right now? We have worked
through the rest of the budget
for the pump stations, canal
improvements. We obviously
have to connect to the Miami
Canal and as whole.
>> Board member Stanley, we're
still working to that with the
district.
>> looking for an
appropriation this year. No,
okay. Anyone else question on
process. Yeah, I had a
question, Matt, that came up
due to the fact there was some
lack of clarity and what was
required by Palm Beach County
wind through this process.
Could you shed some light on
what you're required to do
early on why you had to reach
out to the water management
district to some.
>> So it's it's it's a lengthy
process to get through DP and
Palm Beach County. We have to
go through It's been over a
year and a half now with the
FDP to get to the process of
middle for the ERP permits and
those plans, the county does
require us to get through.
Those ERP says to have clean
no, no, a clean aria from BP.
That's part of the process.
The other part of the process
is to get this through
district and, you know,
identify Kaisha letter for
them of the potential project
of so as we work for that
project, we've had to work
county zoning now and we
submitted that process. We're
looking to get a commission.
Any other questions. But Mr.
What is the depth?
>> That you're intending did.
And that's the debt. The
deepest part of this reservoir
is -9. That was that 30 feet
-9. The current grand ovation
is an average of 4 to 5 feet.
So about 12 feet deep over all
of current elevation, which is
comparable to the EA Reservoir
Bar area intake Canal. And to
us, can take now. So working.
We're not any excavation.
We're not in the deeper than
any other project. Okay. And
you're delivering. Different
phases over time, correct?
Correct. What the
improvements, the levees,
correct? Chief, brothers, all
of the different components
storing water. So we enlisted
the same team that was on the
design team for the EA
Reservoir. Most of those were
from bay to STA as well. All
of the subcontractors
participated in that. So we
listed that team on purpose to
make sure that we didn't
affect the other surrounding
projects. Ours also includes a
safety barrier canals, and it
does delivered and self so
faces. Your your storage
Guesses.
>> The water table. To
whatever level you're going to
store above. The water level,
4 feet. So we're an average 12
to 13 feet death across the
entire STA.
>> So we're about 8 feet to 9
feet below the water table and
only 4 feet above. We're has a
reservoir low as president. So
what will be the depth of the
storage the average?
>> Water level. average water
table before feet of storage
above the average 4 foot. Yes.
There's no more questions for
Mr. Bartlett, we'll move now
to a public comment. let you
take over.
>> Thank you, Mr. Chairman
will hear first Kelly Ralston
followed by Newton Cook.
>> Good Morning, Mr. Chairman
governing board members, jail
house are voted on today. Tom
Kelly Ralston representing
Bonefish and Tarpon Trust. And
I appreciate the opportunity
to kind of give some insight
as to why the TT is so
invested in Everglades
restoration, the conductivity
of healthy landscapes to
healthy coastal and offshore
habitat and water quality
really drives healthy aquatic
ecosystems and fish stocks
given the TT is focus on
sustainable and a bone
abundant bonefish, tarpon and
permit and their prevalence in
South Florida, Everglades
restoration was and is an
extremely high priority for
our organization. We've been
actively engaged in the
process over the years,
particularly in supporting the
planning funding and
construction of the EA
Reservoir. We recognize the
importance of a comprehensive
everglades restoration plan,
but also recognize that
surface, not the complete
solution in both of his
environmental executive
orders. Governor DeSantis
directed the district to,
quote, expedite restoration
efforts and quote, projects
that minimize the risk of
harmful discharges and cent of
water south. The Florida
legislature has backed this
directive with its own support
for Everglades restoration
each year through record
funding. The tts grateful for
the leadership of this
governing board. And director
Bartlett in seeking
opportunities to identify and
expedite meaningful projects
that may not be part of sir,
but to compliment Proof surf
efforts. Knowing that we need
extensive storage throughout
the system and water flow to
support existing restoration
elements like St Ays. The
district has continued to
think outside of the box to
look for additional needs and
opportunities. For example, he
worked with the Army Corps to
inform where and how asr can
safely and effectively be
used. And you work with
Everglades National Park to
construct projects to improve
water flow into Taylor Slough.
The district is also recognize
that no single entity,
including the state as
supportive as engaged as it
is, doesn't have all the
answers and has continued to
explore public-private
partnerships through a defined
process to achieve a dense but
additional benefits for the
system center. To be clear,
these comments are not
directed at any specific
project, but more to the
ongoing need for collaboration
and innovation. As we identify
additional needs with them.
The South Florida ecosystem.
It's this creativity that 6th
expediting Everglades
restoration, progress and
results. And we strongly
encourage the district to
continue with this innovative
thinking to ensure that we
achieve our restoration goals
as quickly and efficiently as
possible. And I can't let the
time do without congratulating
Charlotte on her. Her crown.
Did you not bring it today?
I'm very disappointed. Well,
you're such a deserving
recipient of of the Swamp
Queen Award. I can't think of
anybody who is more
enthusiastic, engaged
knowledgable and it's such a
pleasure to having not only on
the board, but that is the
recipient in your king was
pretty full 2 years. with
that, thank you very much.
Thank you. Miss Ralston.
>> We'll hear next from Newton
Cook, followed by Ernie Cox.
>> Thank you very much. And
you can cook United
Waterfowlers Florida. I want
to thank God, Jim staff. Who
helped us put on. 2 wounded
warrior hunts. We had. 51
warriors twice. You just have
to go see. expression on these
guys faces. I see that sunset
sunrise coming up and all of
job. And it's an incredible
thing for him. And we put on a
good weekend. They have a
shooting afternoon at the Palm
Beach County. Shooting range
at Foreman. And the hot the
next day. we repeat that the
second weekend. And if it
wasn't for the district could
happen. Yes, the A's are not
in real good shape, but we
still 5.15, holes put him and
they had a wonderful time. And
then on the new pop, we do.
About 30 kids show up. And
then, course, you've got their
supervisors and and all these
talks, we feed them all
launch. And for the kids, they
all get free raffle prizes and
again, it's something to see
the young. first time out. The
hunt. To a great night. But
alligators for sunrise and the
real red eyes when having
their It's a great time and
the district makes it possible
without it wouldn't happen in
the staff here. kind of tired.
We're not going to get to 12
feet. We're not going 90 days.
Hopefully we might get to 13
feet. We're glad to get where
we can get on the lake. We're
getting a little bit of
growth. But the Lakers they
And it's going to go into the
rainy season. They had. I'd
only did with the fish. The
fish all find a place to go.
The tournament fish find a
place chasing fish. But when
you have 500,000 acre piece of
property out there and 300,
1000 of it. It's not good.
We're not meet the
responsibilities. Everglades
restoration. It is the heart
of the Everglades. Summit's
fault is fail. We've had 2
years in a row. Of dumping
water out the Port St. Lucie
Caloosahatchee. We have you
have a storm yet and way to
that storm comes. The summer
while summers. Could be a
whole. I was year. After
little curve today with this
rock mine saying. But I just
want to say that I think we
had a precedent on that. The C
50 want right? We've already
have a rock mind that we feel
water for storage. I can't see
anything wrong quite frankly.
I mean, it's probably the
least expensive way the world
gets towards south. There's
somebody else need to talk big
hole. I can't see any reason
to oppose it and appreciate
the district make their
comments. Thank you.
>> Thank you, Mr. Koch, we'll
hear next from Ernie Cox
followed by Mark Perry.
>> Well, good morning and
happy New Year to everybody.
It's good to good to see you.
Really exciting about the the
progress that's being made
governor's budget. Another
record year for conservation
funding and Everglades
restoration work on water
quality throughout the state
I'm here on behalf of filter
Jordan and the South when
water project on part of that
team, it's pretty much the
same team that did the C 51
reservoir. And as Matt
mentioned, same professionals
that are doing the engineering
and design and modeling for
the EA Reservoir.
>> And the E A S T a to STA
that the folks in Jordan just
recently constructed for the
district. I was out there
Tuesday. Got a chance to see
it. And it's very exciting to
see it completed STA. That's
in the process of growing.
Can't wait. 6500 acres of
stormwater treatment area
completed growing in new
control structure connected to
the Miami can now begin taken
activated, as Matt mentioned
to -8 and really exciting the
construction of the EA
Reservoir that we've all been
working on for decades under
construction, excavating rock
processing the material
beginning to build the
foundation beginning to build
the levees. Can't wait for
that project to be done. But
as we all know, sir, projects
by themselves, don't get the
job done. And so that's where
the opportunity for
complementary projects. As you
all know, not just county
projects, not just additional
district nuance or projects,
but public private
partnerships like the C 51
reservoir and actually like
the L 8 flow, Equalization
basin. And so again, as you
all know, I've been the
project manager for the C 51
reservoir for seems like a
good part of my professional
career. And really excited to
see that project going forward
after the same team built the
wait late Reservoir. And so I
invite each of you to come out
and tour with us to see how
we've been able to perfect. As
we're learning more and more
about how to do this, how we
can build storage in phases.
It's great to do one big
project and bring it all
online at the same time 100%
favor of that. But the ability
to bring in storage in
incremental pieces as we go.
And so just very excited about
it. I mean, C 51 is actually
delivering benefits to the
Lake Worth Lagoon, delivering
benefits to the worries coast
and water supply. And it's
going to be delivering
benefits to the lax. river
restoration. So really excited
if you guys have any
questions. Want to talk about
it. You know how to reach me.
Thank you very much.
>> Thank you, Mr. Cox will
hear next from Mark Perry
followed by Caitlin Newcamp.
Perry, Florida. Oceanographic
just want to start out by
saying thank you to the
district and each and every
one of you and the staff here
at the district for
participating in our.
>> Everglades Coalition
Conference 2025, it was
magnificent man. Of course, we
crown the queen and king of
the top. But we have over 460
participants. 43 different
panelists, 10 great panels,
keynote speakers and
involvement of the tribes,
which was really, really good
to see over recent year want
to talk about low sum that we
got into it after 15 years, a
new schedule lake, as you
know, last August. But right
away in December, we had to go
into Lake Okeechobee recovery
operations that meant to
discharge water out of the
lake to recover the like we're
all about. The health of the
lake is Ben mentioned about
losing the SA be so. Were
taken the water to the
estuaries, but we're not
sending enough maximum water
to the south. We really need
to maximize our our flows to
the south from the lake in
order to get down. Right now,
we're supplying a lot of water
supply to through history
outlet south by the district.
But we need to maximize more
flow to the south to alleviate
this flows to the estuaries
right now during the dry
season, especially since the
Everglades needs it during the
dry season it gave years South
Florida and para. This is a
collection by the 62nd
Congress. Back in 1911, in the
Senate required the government
printing office to put
together all the reports,
statements, papers and
everything to do is Florida's
Everglades. But to us and
federal and then the
reclamation of the Everglades.
This is really a fabulous of
history. The government
documents of how we got there.
There were 2 maps and they're
one of the front cover of the
18 56 map. Military map. This
shows the Everglades the way
it was back in 1956. And then
on the back cover is the
drainage now the Everglades
drainage map district map that
was back in 2007. I mean, 19.
0, 7, I'm sorry. So we've had
a long history of kind of, you
know. Draining and filling in
the Everglades with different
uses, particularly agriculture
and working with that
agriculture now is the time we
need to send that water south.
And there there are a lot of
components that were suggested
back in 1994. 95 with the Re
study to make up. way I'm in
North River Canal and the
components need to be
restoring those Everglades.
That agricultural area back to
Everglades the way it was and
not necessarily to any other
land use and then to
Everglades. And where do that
through the STA as we do that
through everything we can and
we're trying to store treat
water and move it south
instead of east and west of
these estuaries and it needs
it sounds. So I encourage you
to keep looking ahead to any
way we can. And we did that
back in 1999. With that
Hausman property week did some
of it in 2010 with U.S. Sugar
Land purchase. So we're
looking to try to continue to.
Store treat that water but
move it through natural
processes that the Everglades
back 18, 100's. So thank you
for your attention. Have a
good read on this. And answer
and thank you, Mr. Perry.
>> We'll hear next from
Caitlin Newcamp followed by
Yves samples.
>> Morning governing remembers
and thank you for the
opportunity to comment.
Caitlin Newcamp with Audubon
Florida it's great to see some
of you cold. So we just wanted
to highlight and thank the
governor for his continued
commitment to the restoration
and protection of the
Everglades ecosystem. We
acknowledge the significant
allocation of over 1.5 billion
in the proposed state budget
for Everglades restoration and
water quality improvements,
which demonstrates the
dedication to preserving this
invaluable natural resource.
Not only that, but 150 million
is dedicated to which is vital
to ensure projects continue to
function into the future. The
Everglades is a national
treasure crucial not only to
Florida's environmental
health, but also to its
economic prosperity. The
proposed funding is an
essential step towards
restoring this vital
ecosystem, ensuring clean
water and securing a
sustainable few. Sure for
South Floridians. We cannot
call out every allocation
because so many are important.
But we want to highlight 2
particular items. First, the
Kissimmee Basin STA has
80 million in the proposed
budget. A project Audubon has
supported from the beginning
to reduce high phosphorus
levels. And in one of the most
played watersheds of the
region. So we're looking
forward to this project moving
forward and attending some up.
Coming up, workshops in the
spring. In addition, we are
very happy to see funds
dedicated, expediting the
Tamiami Trail project, a
crucial collaboration between
the district, the Coran FDOT
to bridge this road that has
essentially plug fresh water
flow from reaching Florida Bay
for many years. Building these
next 6 bridges ensures that
many northern projects will
reach their full benefits. So
we commend the governor's
foresight and prioritizing
Everglades. And we believe
that this investment will
yield long-term benefits for
wildlife communities and
industries that depend on it.
We think the district for
their leadership in restoring
the Everglades. Thank you.
Thank you. Miss Newcamp. We'll
hear next from eve samples
followed by.
>> Kris Whitman.
>> Good morning. Chairman gas
governing board members,
Director Bartlett, I samples,
executive director of Friends
of the Everglades. We were
founded by Marjorie Stoneman
Douglas in 1969. And since
Marjorie is founding, we've
had a deep commitment to water
quality because there is no
Everglades restoration without
water quality. I'm here today
to talk about the Southland
Rock Mine and the lack of
water quality and also the
process by which this has been
brought forward. This has been
discussed behind the scenes
for more than a year without
do public input. So almost 6
years of ago, most of you were
appointed to this governing
board because something did
not smell right in the
Everglades agricultural area.
Back then it was the midnight
LAN Lee says that Florida
crystals tried to push through
in a shadowy maneuver
conducted outside the public
eye. Your predecessors, where
else did and you all join the
governing board, sending a
signal to the sugar industry
that they don't call the shots
on land owned by taxpayers
needed for restoration. Now
something else is rotten in
the South and rock mine. This
proposal to extract limestone
from about 8600 acres south of
Lake Okeechobee has been
advance in a matter that a
manner that has shut out the
public on Christmas Eve, the
South Lawn applicants sent a
letter to your executive
director seeking a quote,
Letter of project
identification needed to
advance the application Beach
County. 7 days later, a New
Year's Eve Mr. Bartlett
responded on behalf of the
district. His response was
issued without public
discussion during the peak of
holiday season. When something
stinks, it's not always
possible to eliminate the
source of the rot but airing
things out certainly helps.
Today we ask you to air this
out, have a public discussion
about the massive rock mine
proposal and the alarming
impacts it would have on
Everglades restoration. We're
glad to hear it brought to
light today. All that was not
notices. Chairman Goss
mentioned and we hope that
there's a more robust public
discussion last week. The
Everglades Coalition with
which represents about 60
Everglades organizations sent
a letter to Director Bartlett
copping you all asking for a
public discussion to ensure
transparency and allow for
adequate stakeholder input. We
are awaiting a response. You
all are astute observers of
Everglades restoration. You
know that what happens in will
determine the survival of the
Everglades, its the single
greatest factor in the success
of everything's restoration.
The future use of these
400,000 or so acres that are
currently insured and
cultivation will dictate our
success or failure its the
missing link of the river of
grass. Well, this land, the
mines piece meal the sugar
industry be granted favors
approvals to maximize their
already handsome profits. Will
taxpayers be asked to foot the
bill yet again? The sugar cane
industry has already caused
South Florida taxpayers. Well
over 2 billion dollars and
pollution cleanup costs or
will this land be used for
true restoration to safeguard
our health, our economy and
access to clean water in south
Florida. That's certainly our
preference. Thank you.
>> Thank Samples. We'll hear
next from Chris Whitman
followed by Alex Larson. Good
morning. Governing board.
>> And This agency has done so
much for Everglades
restoration. Made so much
progress and has expedited and
move forward with restoration
projects. Carefully with
deliver it vetting and
analysis. I saw a news article
Drew, I think referenced
recently that said that the
the governing board approved
the Southland Water Resource
Project. I I was not aware
that don't think that's what
happened. I came before you to
respectfully ask that you
bring this before the
governing board for
discussion. For a thorough
analysis before the district
takes any position on it. I
you know, I think some
questions to be asked what was
the governing board aware that
a letter was going to be sent
on New Year's Eve? Did you
recognize the implications of
sending the site letter to
Palm Beach County. It seems
like maybe the intent of the
letter by the district and how
the letters being utilized by
the applicant to Palm Beach
might not be one in the same.
We should ask, are we setting
the precedent that any other
mining project that classifies
itself as a resource project.
We'll get site identification
letter which basically gives
them the exception that that
and did they need to go to
Palm Beach County to get the
green light to do mining
without our own analysis? I
don't think that is what you
meant. I think the letter is
to veg and I want I would like
to seek some clarity in those
comments. In the letter said
that we understand that is not
what was the intent. The
proposed project is set to be
built. You know, Jason, to the
EA Reservoir, which as we all
know is the crown jewel of
Everglades restoration. And
something that you all have
staunchly defended in an
expedited and move forward and
we would like to make sure
that this project or any other
project does not jeopardize
that in any way. We
respectfully request that you
re send the letter until the
matter can be brought before
the board for a full analysis
and discussion with the board.
Under the direction of this
governing board. The bar has
been set to which all other
restoration projects will be
measured and under the
leadership of this board. This
agency has become to be known
for its transparency and its
integrity. And I think that it
is critical to to recognize
going forward. This project or
projects like it processes
around them may set the
trajectory in the future for
what the future of is is that
one of of rock minds with
possible benefits. 30, 40 are
about or is it one of of true
restoration? Thank you. Thank
you. Captain Women.
>> We'll hear next from Alex
Larson followed by Lisa Inter
Landy.
>> I don't even want to come
here. I stopped for a while.
My husband passed away, but I
was called out to come here
today. Because I am an unpaid
lobbyist. I am I played for
everybody and I don't get
paid. And I remember when we
were doing the Palm Beach
aggregates pay 200 million
dollars for a hole in the
ground and that day, Andy Kerr
foot of water in Colorado is
100 bucks and in a car for
here was $5500. I thought
Colorado has some really good
water because they had course
Bieber. I know I I when I hear
public private partnership
public is U.S.. The taxpayers
private is the guy who's got
his hand out for 200 million
bucks. pop. Because that's
what I see. And I get phone
calls. Some of you to me. Some
of you don't. But I'm telling
you, I get phone calls from
10, 30 at night, one 30 in the
morning. I'm tired because
I've been in meetings for the
last 3 days. I was it county.
Somewhere else. And then I'm
here today and I I just died
because a S or does it work?
It didn't work. 20 years ago
they stood up said doesn't
work. We're going to try it
again way some more money when
you shoot water down into the
ground and pull it back out,
it isn't clean. I can show you
some dish water. That will not
back up when you pour more
water into it. It doesn't
separate like Moses in the
desert. There's so many things
wrong with our thought
processes. And we do great
science and we need a lot of
great things here, Florida,
because the rocket lining
think really sticks its we're
at Lindbergh or were doubts
tilt and it stinks. It does
not pass the smell test and I
don't know what to do about it
because I'm not the Queen Rock
mining, not the queen of
anything.
>> But I know rock mining is
not good for us. I know Benzie
gets in the water. I know they
got blasting permit to right.
Western me Till 2034 the cows
run like puzzles. I've never
seen anything like it. It's
amazing and I hope you guys is
aboard. We'll step back and
hold everybody bay because
I've watched appear there was
a guy up here said the reason
we have shortages of water is
women with long hair. The guy
was bald I've seen so much
here at this district. My
memory and it's stuck in my
memory. Commissioners. I'm
telling ya, it's a rolodex up
there that just won't stop.
And this is something they
need to start. We need to step
back and look at Everglades
restoration because in the old
days, the 1911, that's what
was like. It was like a hand
and there were tributaries
that went down and we close
them off the Kissimmee for
Disney. We shut it off. We had
to redo it. Why do we have to
make mistakes and redo it
again? Let's not make mistakes
and do it right. The first
time because that Iran from I
would've got fired from my
job. If I could screw it up.
So here we are. Please, please
look at these rock mining
operations. They are not good
for us. And Lake Okeechobee
has 9 feet of silt. as of
2004, they said it out there.
So how many feet is really in
Lake Okeechobee up your thank
you. Thank you. Miss Larson.
We'll hear next from Lisa
Inter Landy followed by Nyla
pipes on Zoom.
>> Everyone. I'm Lisa inner
lining of the policy director
of Law Center. I would just
ask if we could please get
some clarification today on
whether or not the district
did in time for Its
correspondents to serve as the
letter of Project
identification. That is a core
about Palm Beach County's
comprehensive plan because the
plan requires out in order for
them to move forward. And the
district's letter had a lot of
has that and kind of language
like it could possibly or it
might or if it provides water
storage or other things. But
what given you some comments,
this is from the county's
review process. Is there
comments? It's basically like
staff comments and applicants
response. You can see in the
second lower a paragraph that
I highlighted for you where
they are characterizing this
letter your correspondents was
a letter that they need right
now to get their approval from
Palm Beach County. So if you
guys don't clarify whether or
not you intended to identify
this project as a viable water
resource project. It is very
likely that this project could
get its approval from Palm
Beach County and the already
mining before a year from now
that you guys actually
determine whether or not it's
viable. Because they are
characterizing this letter as
the correspondence that is
needed for them to move
forward. Under Palm Beach
County's plan. Palm Beach
County's plan basically
prohibits mining in the
Everglades agricultural area
only allows it for water
resources and for a public
road building projects. And
that has been that has been
tested legally, Mr. Version. I
can tell you that this has
this project. Okay, whether or
not this project is viable.
You guys have not determined
yet. We just heard that today.
Yet Palm Beach County is being
told that you have determined
that. So that is the problem.
So that is why we're here
today asking you, I understand
the prepared comments, but I
ask you to please clarify a
yes or no. Did you intend to
identify this as a viable
water resource project? The
county needs to know whether
or not they should allow this
project to move forward. The
county when they adopted this
provision in back in 2000,
they did it to allow
Everglades restoration, viable
Everglades restoration
projects to move forward. They
didn't want to every with
restoration, but they didn't
want to allow commercial
mining in the Everglades
agricultural area. You know, I
heard a comment that more
storage. It's always
beneficial. I disagree with
that. More storage is
beneficial. If it doesn't harm
the existing projects that we
are spending, billions of
taxpayer dollars to promote.
The other thing is up to 51. I
support that project. It's
doing a lot of good for Lake
Worth Lagoon and it will do
good, hopefully for Loche that
you're ever in the future. It
has not come without taxpayer
expense. It has received
almost 300 million dollars in
funding from the legislature
in the last 4 years. Okay.
These are these are projects
that have to be vetted. And
I'm just asking you to please
do that. And please clarify
today, what is the status of
this project? It's not fair to
lease for Palm Beach counties.
Palm Beach County will
possibly approve this project
NB. They will be digging a
hole before you guys.
Determine whether or not its
final. So please, if you could
clarify today, we would
receive. Thank center Landy.
We'll hear next from Nyla
pipes followed by Ben Olsen.
>> Miss pipes, please unmute
your mic. My check. We hear
you. And has tick.
>> Nyla pipes. One Florida
Foundation. I know that this
was not on the agenda today
and I suspect that you guys
did not necessarily want to
spend as much time on as we
are. But since we have, I,
too, would like to speak on
the Southland Project. I hear
that we are in the process of
vetting. I hear that this is a
lot of upset. Ms for no reason
at this point. And I know that
that's going to be a
controversial statement. But
public private partnerships
have been an important part
complimenting seed for a
very long time. Now. For
decades, environmental groups
have called for ye farmers.
Just water on their own plan.
And now that they're
attempting to do We have all
of this up for in advance in
advance of us even figuring
out is a viable project or
not. Every drop does count.
Does that have to be done in
the correct way? Absolutely.
But we've seen with the C 51
with other projects that these
things once they go through
the process and are vetted can
be very viable and very
helpful. I find all of this
uproar, quite frankly,
disingenuous. And I think it
stems more from the fact the
date is on Sugar land. Then it
does people actually being
certain about the project.
Another point that I want to
make. We are in a worldwide
aggregate shortage. Do you
know what we need for surf
projects? I think that there
is potential for this to be a
win-win. I think that we are
all worried about this
prematurely. And do think that
the district is going to go
through the right process to
get it there or to say, yeah,
you know, at this time this
place, it doesn't work. Either
way. I do think that we need
to back the uproar and work
together. Thank you. Miss
Pipes. We'll hear next from
Ben Olsen, Mr. Olsen, please
unmute your mic.
>> Good morning to hear me.
Okay. We hear you.
>> All right. Thank you. Well,
as one of those legacy,
landowners, Mr. Bartlett. But
I felt it was appropriate to
speak up and call in and
recognition of the work to
myself. And I too want to
thank the working throughout
the past few years, water
management staff have
seemingly the only government
employees willing to listen to
and engage with the landowners
inside of the project.
Footprint is all well. We got
off to a bit of a rocky start.
Your staff for the agency
employees to actually consider
our positions and defense of
the endangered animals that
call our properties home. We
reached out to federal
agencies, other state
agencies, nonprofits Audubon,
Florida, Everglades
Foundation. No one was really
interested in the landowner
perspective on. Even if that
perspective founded in both
environmental protection and
private property rights. So I
really just want to call in to
thank the work staff. I know
they're busier than ever
working with the Federal Canal
Basin, Water Quality Program,
staff to fix what the federal
work design left out got wrong
as well as expediting work on
the Tamiami trail, which is
something I think everyone
agrees is absolutely
essential. I'm looking forward
to working with staff
personally. I know we should
have a meeting on the book
shortly to go over the
modeling south of Wingate
myself and my neighbors. But
there was one thing I wanted
to point out. And that was the
public face of America's of
warmth currently to be blunt
since its passing nonprofits,
who lobbied so hard for work
as it was designed, have now
started pushing this narrative
that were pushed stores,
panthers and wood stork Lance.
They're raising funds on that
narrative. I think it's
imperative we all remind the
public and nonprofit at large
that what was early authorized
would have significantly
damaged. And store glance so
much so that water management
would not implement region to
have work plans for the
future. Bateson says that were
designed. The project is the
size of Rhode Island. And
while regions, 1, 3, 4, are
seemingly solid region to
certainly wasn't the water
management work team is
absolutely deserving of team
of the month because they
recognize this and they're
actively working to remedy it
with us. But I believe it's
crucial. We acknowledged, but
this project needs a lot of
work in region to make it
viable. We're only going to
get there through a
transparent process, engaging
the experts of their own land
without closed across the book
next, Water management staff
have been the vanguard of this
process and I can't be more
appreciative. Unfortunately,
this process now includes
ensuring the nonprofits don't
raise funds off a misguided
merits. They don't listen to
the landowners, but they do
listen to the agency. So your
voices will once again have to
be the vanguard's and getting
this project fixed and keeping
to, quote, must paddy power's
loud voices spreading
misinformation on both at
that. So again, I just want to
thank you guys. Miss Reynolds
said this is just the
beginning for work and I look
forward to fixing authorized
blunt with you guys to ensure
that was actually restore
pampered. One start lands
without flooding. There
already bursting habitat this
past week. We have dozens of
wood storks and our pond right
outside our house out there.
It's a beautiful sight to see
that. I'm going to continue to
fight for. Thank you very
much.
>> Thank you, Mr. Olsen, Mr.
Chairman, we have no
additional general public
comment. Thankfully, thank you
all for your comments.
>> Going out for comment. I
think it's only appropriate
the Swan Queen start she wants
to. Well, that's a first that
I get to go. The first
speaker. Thank you so much.
Mister Chair. Quite an honor.
You're probably wondering why
I brought this cake in today.
That's at least what Charlie
was asking.
>> Well, then was kind of
chuckle in over there because
he knew it wasn't going to be
a cake this time. So I wanted
to share this valuable crown
that I received. That was
created by. Michelle Arquette
Palermo from the conservancy
of Southwest Florida. And as
you can tell this, crown is
very and but the front of the
crown for the embellishment is
the vertebrae of a python that
was captured in southwest
Florida. So how appropriate?
So as you can imagine, I was
thrilled. To be surprised at
the of Co conference with this
WABC coins stuff and honored
to share the throne with the
swamp. Kidding. Dr. Paul Gray.
I who doesn't want a swamp
king like that? I mean, talk
about an awesome guy South.
I'm going to do on my crown.
So that you can see it in full
Splendor.
>> And thank court for the
honor. I didn't want. To go
without. Giving a nod to
alligator. Ron. So in my new
placard. I have little
Alligator. Ron, chilling in
this wall with the swab queen
for 2020. 25 thank you so
much, everyone for the
recognition. And it so much
fun and I'll just put my
little placard right there so
that, you know, that this my
new era, which is the swamp,
Kuwait. I don't know if it's a
lower wrong or a higher rod,
but thank you, drew for the
shout out and thank you all
for for that. All right. I
have several things here. I
think I've already started
with the EV Co comments. What
a great conference. I spent 3
days with the conference and
all the people that I had a
chance to have conversations
with. And I got to tell you
that that was some of the
greatest dialogue that I've
I've really experienced at the
conference and I've been going
since I've been on the board
for 6 years and having those
conversations. But the
indigenous knowledge panel was
very, very enlightening. And I
thought the other panel that
talked about the on serve in
the next 40 years was also
really valuable along with all
of the panel's. Everything was
great. So hats off to coach.
Here's Mark Perry and Kelli
Cox. I know it's a lot of
work, but it was really,
really a wonderful conference.
The first one on tribal land.
So I really appreciated that.
Also, I visited the C 43 water
quality treatment and testing
project that the site the
governing board members. If
you haven't had a chance to
see what we have done as a
district with the boneless I I
strongly recommend it. We've
done several things that I
thought were really positive.
First of all, the cells that
are there for the science it's
going to be a test cell study
to remove nitrogen to look at
ways to remove nitrogen from
the water. it's cutting edge
science. And I want to thank
Casandra Armstrong for for
talking me through through the
weeds as she likes to say it
was great staff. And on the
day that I visited, the
project was being turned over.
And so there were a lot of
people on site that we're
looking at the project. And I
just was so impressed with
what we have done there
because we partnered with
another project right on site,
which is the a flow,
Equalization basin. So we
looked for an opportunity as
the district to say, how can
we use this site? Well, we
could use the test cells and
do some experiments. Some
studies on removing nitrogen
from the water, we could also
berm it nfp be there. And in
partnership used that
property. So I thought that
was really great jury. Drew,
you and your team put that
together and I want to thank
Anthony Betts, Lori, when Kurt
the J Mishra Natasha Warrick,
Jennifer Reynolds, Megan
Jacoby and Jose Otero for Your
your time that day because it
was a whole full court press
out there. And I really
appreciate it. Also, speaking
of conservation that it's come
up earlier in the meeting, I
had the chance yesterday
evening to visit Eagle Haven
Ranch. This was my second
visit with a totally different
focus. This time when I
visited Eagle Haven Ranch, the
focus was on conservation and
the view the view of all of
the eagle nesting habitat.
>> That is out on Eagle Haven
Ranch in the various stages of
the chicks in the nest.
>> That were out there. It was
a great, great visit. That's
3300 acres in the northern
Everglades. That is put under
a conservation easement and
now the Cyprus chapter of the
Isaac Walton League of America
is going to do some projects
out there concert with the
landowner there. And it was
just a great visit. Plenty of
eagles were on display at the
site. And the last comment
that I have is about some of
the public comment today on
South I think that that this
board is set a high bar in the
past 6 years for transparency
and getting getting public
employee and I feel strongly
and I saw I know, Drew, does
that in this case with this
project? That's that's
something that I I want to
continue to do with with the
public that that always gives
us input to consider before
making a decision. That's all
I have. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Thank you starting U.S.. Comes
to Mr. Butler.
>> Thank you, Mr. Chair
congratulations. Want Queen.
got that on Snapchat. By the
way.
>> was I
>> Want to say congratulations
once again to the district low
cars, law of the land. low car
and work but look are being
law of the land. That's heavy
lift. And that was 2 years. 2
years, right? One? Well, okay.
Yeah. One year from the
district and then another year
through the federal process.
while that that was
impressive. Look forward to 26
and drew look forward to
hearing the plans and what
we're going. Join us on the
core. What's going to be an
were 26. Hopefully it will
include. Some of these other
northern features and so also
look forward to to your update
there on that. Also since our
board meeting, I December
right afterwards we did the
ribbon cutting Maximo look
forward to when we get in the
race season to see in that
project in full full effect be
7,000 acres, water storage
there. Well, north of Lake
Okeechobee picking up like a
bay like a semi. So look
forward to seeing that
appreciate Garcia family and
Fpnl for being our partners in
that. Finally, let's say, a
divisive We've all got to the
lives. yeah, I had. I had
spent some time with my family
in lieu of bit of code this
year. So I hate to miss that
Tuesday. 2 days ago. The
Florida Agricultural Hall of
Fame. The Florida State Fair
might actually go building
dedicated to the Florida
Culture Hall of Fame, but
inducted 3 new members into
it. And I want to recognize
recognized 2 members. It all
come from the South Florida
area. One being Jim
Strickland. He's a cattle
rancher for over Manatee
County Black Beard Ranch. But
a long history of
conservation. And he has been
an advocate for advocate for
conservation easements for as
long as I can remember, he is
on the he was on the cusp of
getting that program going in
Florida and it's become such
an Aunt Horton program for
preservation of our open
spaces he was recognized as an
inductee in the Florida poll
of Fame. another one that
another couple. But you'll
recognize its Kerry and
Marshall White Sea. They were
inducted to the Agriculture
Hall of Fame. If you would
hear him, Chairman, I just it.
Just 3 paragraphs here. Real
quick bio Mr. Lightsey. And as
Marcia. Carry Lights a 6
generation. Florida cattle
rancher who married his high
school sweetheart. Marcia in
1973, together. They not only
save the family ranch during
hard economic times. They also
expanded and diversified the
operations and became leaders
in the conservation arena. The
Lightsey strongly believe that
landowners participating in
strategies that benefit all of
society. They strive to
highlight the stewardship.
Ranchers provide for wildlife
and water. They've committed
80% of their land to
conservation easements in
doing so. preserve thousands
of environmentally sensitive
acres, wetlands and areas
populated by endangered plant
and animal species creating a
vast holding of lands that
will allow generations of
Floridians to see landscapes
much like those of centuries
ago. This includes the notable
Brahma island home, the bald
Eagles. Kara Cares snail kites
and dozens of other rare and
endangered species. The light
Cesar also passionate about
sharing their conservation
story. They have been featured
in several documentaries,
media pieces and social media
posts throughout the years.
Their latest focus is working
in the Florida wildlife
Corridor Foundation and its
path to the Panther Project.
They have also hosted numerous
tours of the ranch's
ecological sites to allow
students and other groups to
see the operations first hand
and for a better appreciation
of their impacts.
Congratulations to Carrie and
Marshall Lightsey Jim Strick
shunned for their induction
into the Florida Culture Hall
of Thank you, Mr. Chairman,
thank you, Mr. Butler. Mr.
Tiley.
>> We did not have general
board meeting in January, but
we but we all I think most of
us and event by Governor
DeSantis worry requested the
state be allowed to leave more
of the Everglades restoration
projects in order to do things
more quickly at a lower cost
to taxpayers. As we all know,
structures of cost share
between the federal government
and state of Florida where the
Army Corps the federal side
and district, it leads the
state side. And just to be
clear as well, sensor was
adopted. We've had incredibly
strong partnership with the
court a and share a common
commitment to projects large
and small. That will help and
Everglades restoration.
However, as of as a federal
agency, the course subject to
greater bureaucracy, red tape,
lengthy legislative process
season political
considerations that
significantly slow the
progress. And drive up costs
in excess of what we do, what
we've been able to achieve at
the state level. So what I
wanted to do was share some of
this has been posted. But I
thought was important to share
3 examples of the difference
in speed and cost between the
agencies. The first is called
her as we all know, culverts
or water to pass on dirt
roads, an embankment. The
district recently broke ground
last year in 24 3 culverts in
the Big Cypress Preserve
Acosta. 47 Million. course,
started 3 called for a colder
project, different to move
water into Everglades National
Park in Twenty-twenty at a
cost of 65 Million. So the
district's costs for 3
culverts is 28% less or an
18 million dollar difference.
Both projects are expected to
be closed completed at the
same time, the beginning of
27. So that would mean that
the core we take 7 years to
complete projects. The
district 3 years. Pretty good
example of significant cost
savings and a double the speed
efficiency. A pump station
comparison. The court just a
word, a contract for 650 CFS
Pump Station for the C 23. 24
for 193 Million. The district
completed a similar size pump
690 CFS, a slightly larger for
the C one. 39 for 80 million
dollars. So that's 11 she was
11113 million or 60% cost
difference. Obviously a
meaningful number. And then
last example is canal
Construction district recently
completed construction of an
inflow outflow canal as part
of STA to cost of 5.7 Mile.
The Corps constructing inflow
outflow for the EA Reservoir
at a cost of 9.7 dollars a
mile 9.7 million dollars a
mile. The district's work
moved 30 feet to 40% faster
than the courts can now work
and cost 42% less than the
core show. I'm sure there's a
number of other examples. But
the I think, you know, the
experience is clear and I
think it makes sense for what
government Governor DeSantis
asked for. We can avoid much
of the bureaucracy and the
delays that the federal
government cannot. And make
progress quicker while using
fewer taxpayer dollars. Not to
say that there are clearly
areas where we where the Corps
has expertise, but seems like
a smart Pat Toomey to explore
inappropriate giving given the
focus at the federal level
spotlighting efficiencies and
spin and spending. So I just
thought that was important to
mention since we have not
talked about it, put I think
it I a legitimate ask of of
the governor for for reasons
that can help us achieve all
of our goals sooner at a lot
of lesser cost to taxpayers.
Thanks. Thank you, Mr. Silent,
Mr. Bergeron. Thank you, Mr.
Chairman. But first all, happy
New Year, too. My board
members, our staff. All of our
stakeholders. I'm excited
about to. 2025, a lot of
things going on let me talk a
little bit about Everglades.
Western Everglades
restoration. That's moving
forward. And I have written
when we're talking about
Western. We're a portion of
that from a property owner. I
will be abstaining from any
voting and that. Western we're
portion of Western Everglades.
But I reserve the right under
the statues. I'm allowed to
voice my opinion which I think
is important try. Lived in
that environment for 3
quarters of a century. We'll
be following that stretches
from I do want to compliment
the Everglades Coalition, all
the environmental groups, the
conservation groups coming
together and discussing. The
largest environmental
restoration ever attempted in
the history of the world.
Coming up with solutions with.
State and federal agencies.
The environmentalists,
conservationists. The hunters.
The fishermen. So important. I
thought it was extremely
productive and it's just a
great group of people as we
continue to go forward. The
one thing I you hear me all
the time and I know sound like
a broken record. But but I do
this because I keep hearing.
All the stakeholders. Move
water South. We have the
opportunity to do that. We're
on the threshold. Huge
benefits. And being able to
move water South. 10 years
ago, we built all these
bridges. Or where elevating
the road and with discussions
with DOT and the critical path
schedules that that I've
looked at. The road could be
completed as early as March of
next year. That could slip.
But what are the other option
to calls that we have to
address? We're shooting there
with 3 miles of Bridges, 6
additional bridge is going.
Lined up woodridge and sluice
the part of the highway
construction. So I think it's
important. That we're looking
at. Any obstacle or any
barrier. When we complete that
road that we can move water
south and what is that? We
have to address the Osceola
camp that has to be elevated
we have to address and make
sure that the park service all
of the airboat concessions.
They're on the south side of
the road. That were funded to
elevate docks, elevate to be
compatible. With raising Neil
29 and getting the benefit of
up to 2.5 million acre feet of
water under the plan. We
started with 25 years ago.
Extremely important where 60%
of that water flows too. The
eastern side of Shark River
slew and 40% on the western
side into last month's Lou and
onto the 10,000 islands.
Between our federal partners
and our our staff South
Florida, water management. We
have done a lot. Removing
these barriers. Like the
seepage wall. Like removing
the old Tamiami trail.
Installing the 3 new called
Virgin Deal. 28. And our staff
as they proceed forward.
Modeling the Tamiami trail
west of the L 28, our Red
Cross. Modeling Lube Road. In
order to have water flowing by
gravity based upon the
science. We started with 25
years ago. I'm looking drew
working with. Our staff and
you and our federal partners,
the core Department of
Interior, the Park service
that we're all on the same
page. And that we're
addressing any barriers. I
don't want to be sitting here
a year from now. March of next
year. The roads done and we
still can't move water. If we
have to have a. Workshops with
our federal partners. Once a
month for the next year to
make sure that everybody's on
the same page. I I want to do
that. It would be a shame to
be sitting here. And the
bridges are there. The roads
elevated the seepage walls and
the Tamiami trail old trailer
removed all of these barriers.
And we're not being able to
move water. I'm excited. I
apologize for talking so much.
This is critical. We have.
Billions of dollars. We've
already spent. The day we can
let that water flowing
naturally by gravity. Will be
the biggest benefit. So if we
started 25 years and it will
benefit Central Everglades,
big Cypress Fakahatchee
Picayune Panther Refuge. It
will benefit the
Caloosahatchee, the Port St.
Lucie, the Indian River
Lagoon. The lake. Because just
cumulative backup. Affects the
whole system all the way up to
Orlando. On the bottom end of.
What very close to completing
it will hugely globally
benefit the global ever
pledge. I always look at the
global. From the Kissimmee
River floodplain just to all
our rivers to the lake to
heart to the central all the
way across and Everglades
National Park, Florida Bay,
10,000 Islands. We have to get
this water moving south. And
fortunately. 95% the
infrastructure is there.
Whatever it takes to make
sure. All of these little
barriers. That that we haven't
resolved. Sea water moving
south. Wait. Under. The
modified water delivery, the 2
and a half million acre feet
of water. So important to
Florida Bay and Biscayne Bay
and the 10,000 Islands stop
seagrass from Diane. Like in
2015, 50,000 Acres, 5,000
animals drowned on the north
side on the miccosukee and are
our public Central Everglades.
This will be a great day. And
I I just think it can be.
Connected. In 2025. And we
will be getting beneficial.
Projects we built. 25 years
ago. I apologize for talking
so much. But but I just think
this is extremely important.
As we move forward. The new at
this new rock pit thing. I
think we need to do an awful
lot of studying him. One thing
that we have to be concerned
about when you're talking
about storing water. Once you
drill and blast excavator. Can
we retain storage? Without
having led rule. She pitched
200 pressure. There's got to
be a lot of determination is
on the geology of soil at the
bottom and the lateral
movements to see if there.
That you can store water. I
would suggest would be very
careful that project. I think
it's very sensitive in
geographical area that it's an
to start And there has to be
tremendous benefits. To
Everglades restoration and
storage for anything like that
ever occur. So thank you,
Paula Judge, for talking too
much. But redneck cowboy
alligator wrestlers like talk.
You never have to apologize.
someone once said, you paid
for that microphone. it's
yours. As long as you're
sitting to a point. Thank you,
Mister Chairman Ms Meads.
>> Charlotte, I want you to
know that you are so well
deserving of being the swamp I
know you're with that group
people who know how lovely
swaps what what a great thing
it is. I will say that your
crown looks a little bit tiny
bit And it reminded me 70's,
which which wasn't a bad
thing. Chairman Goss, happy
birthday to you. Next Tuesday.
I think bright the 18th. We
don't do anymore. Yeah. Happy
birthday to you. And I you
know, my only comment is I
want to address Lisa or I want
to chairman conversation is
with you that I haven't Lisa
in a land. These question
seems to me to be a fair one.
If there is a process such
that Palm Beach County cannot
move forward without our
approval. In a letter. Is it
appropriate to have some
discussion about that process
and the intent of the letter
and not of that letter was
that tent of that letter
before the governing board had
an opportunity to discuss
that. And I'll just leave that
question with you whether to
take that forward or not. But
it seems it's a fair thing to
answer. My comments. I want
first of all, start by
thanking the governor for the
budget. It's it's amazing to
be able to have a governor
who's?
>> This is focused on this
issue and has remained that
way for Not one term, but the
term and a half. And I
encourage the legislature to
follow his lead as they have
done in the past and keep it
working because those funds
are giving us incredible
success. And so want thank you
for all of that. I also like
to think of Co for putting
together another great, great
conference. It's, you know,
some people wonder of
conferences are worth it or
not. I I might be one of those
people every now and then. But
they are, it is is wonderful
to be able to get together
with so many people don't
always and some of its
unsolicited and some of its
just impromptu. And it's just
nice. Bill will have those
conversations because we have
so many partners and so many
stakeholders in the business
we're doing it. It's a good
way to do that. So I
appreciate that as 6 years we
I guess, 6 years ago about
this time we were all asked to
to do this job and the first
thing we had to do was to find
an executive director. And so
we searched around high and
low and found someone who was
a consensus builder because
that's something we really
needed at the time was to
rebuild trust and that
person's Drew Bartlett and
I've watched over the last 6
years as Drew has gone out and
build consensus and he's been
phenomenal with stakeholders
and phenomenal with the
scientific community. He's
been phenomenal with dealing
with the bureaucratic process
like nobody I've ever met. I
thought I was patient. He's
he's incredibly patient and
work through it. So just want
to say my lead up to say I
trust Drew Bartlett. When
people are calling and saying
why on Earth that you guys
signed this letter, is this
all about that? My first
instinct is I trust regard
right because Drew didn't do
anything that he wouldn't have
done if he didn't think it was
appropriate for this
organization or appropriate
for the 9 million people who
live in South Florida. And I
believe strongly. I look at
The 2 pieces of paper AF
sitting here. One is an
unsolicited proposal process
and the other is the Palm
Beach code and it's a chicken
and egg problem because one
can't be done without the
other. But they are both
waiting for someone to go
first. But it's hasn't been
thought through very well. I
don't think procedurally. So I
think Drew's letter, I don't
know what the answer to Lisa's
question is. But in my mind,
it troost answer was yes, this
could be a project. We haven't
looked at it yet. We don't
know if it's a project. We've
got a long way to go. This is
a marathon. The gun is maybe
not even been shot yet. We're
all sliding up on the starting
line. And so that's the way I
look at this. And we've got a
long way to go. So I'm not I'm
not terribly worried because I
know that we as a governing
board are going to hear all
the arguments. And I know that
we as a governing board not
gonna make a decision that's
going to harm all that
process, progress that we've
to date. So I drew, I don't
know if you have anything you
want to address specifically
there. You don't have to. But
it Not good. fine. So we will
move on and in and the agenda
and I'm going to go to. Mr.
Chairman can say one of the
things I want to congratulate
to the Queen. Africa that and
I did Did you see the little
alligator I have on think it.
That's the not alligator. Ron.
>> he's totally Everglades. So
I'm the king. alligator
>> and I want I want to
Colonel Rentals and all our
staff for all the hard work
they're doing in Western
Everglades. Especially in the
Western wear section to make
sure at the end of the day,
we're truly restoring and
we're respecting the the the
tribes and we're respecting
the private property owners in
where we're coming up with
solutions that we're truly
restoring. And I want everyone
Realize. But at the end of the
day. It's so important that
we're truly restoring. we've
been so blast for the kind of
money that's been funded for
continue to move forward. So I
want I want to thank all our
staff for working with. The
someone else to make a keys.
The private property owners
and the number one stakeholder
is the environment as we
continue to. To go for the
other thing, I would. want to
say is that I think. Projects
that are. Extremely.
Important. Moving water south.
And to benefit. The global
system like the Blues Channing
that's the last piece of the
puzzle. That will let water
moves south. Projects like
that. And Western Everglades
I'm recommending that these
projects are. Move forward
with. South Florida water
management. And the reason why
I'm saying that the core. The
greatest, builders across the
world. And there. We've got to
do this together. But the
projects that are critical to
get the benefit or what
started building. 25 years
ago, the state's process, I
think A little bit quicker.
And those projects. I would
hope we can work. With the
core. Which is just as capable
as South Florida water
management. But our processes
so much quicker. These high
priority projects like the
Bush and the Western
Everglades I hope we can.
Workout too, for. Since our
processes faster. And they
allow us to get the benefit of
what we've developed. Some
projects 25 years ago that we
shift those projects, too.
Continues a 50, 50. Ship,
those high priority projects
just South Florida. Thank you,
Mr. Chairman. Thank you. As
Versed on, we're going to move
now to consent agenda. Is any
board member want to move any
item to accent?
>> Are there any public
comments on consent? Yes,
Mister chairman.
>> We'll begin with Mark Perry
followed by Caitlin Newcamp.
>> Morning governing board
Mark Perry, Florida,
oceanographic just 2 items on
the consent. Real quick up
item. 16 obviously is dealing
with Sepp South and the
Tamiami trail. A very small
acreage in can Vance, but
relates to Mr. Bergeron is
comments definitely about
Tamiami Trail and lifting at
trail up working with DOT FDOT
has a partner. appreciate
going forward with that.
Obviously, too, everything we
can to get that Trey lifted
and the bridge is opened up so
we can move that 2.5 million
acre feet the number 19 to 10
Mile Creek Water Preserve
areas 7725 Acre empowerment
143 STA. The designation is
basically to get the water
preserve very STA and and the
empowerment area so that it
can be managed for public use
and recreation and it's a
beautiful area up in the upper
North Fork of the Port St.
Lucie. Preserve. It helps too
Storen treat that water that
normally would run directly
off through the cordon road
structure into the. Into North
Fork. So appreciate appreciate
approving both Thank
>> Thank you, Mr. rry will
hear next from Caitlin Newcamp
followed by Alex Larson.
>> Warning governing board
members. Thank you for the
opportunity to comment.
Caitlin, with and you can't
with Audubon Florida. This is
in regards to number 16 on the
consent agenda. Audubon
appreciates the ongoing
efforts of the district and
its partners, including the
court in advancing the Central
Everglades Planning project
south fees, the construction
of the S 3.56 pump station is
a significant component for
restoring the natural
hydrology of the Everglades,
which benefits but the
ecosystem in the communities
that depend on clean water
last fall, Audubon and others
noticed delays on the IDs for
several sub south features,
including this one. And upon
further research to stop
discovered some real estate
issues are unresolved. We
recognize the necessity of
acquiring the required
easements inland rates to
facilitate the construction of
this project and the
importance of the proposed
exchange between the district
and DOT. we support the
proposed actions and we're
very happy to see this is back
on track. So thank you for
getting this pump station back
on track as south features
contain critical components,
critical conveyance necessary
for moving water south and
ensuring the right balance of
water is in proper location.
Thank you. Thank you. Miss
Newcamp.
>> We'll hear next from Alex
Larson followed by Newton
Cook.
>> I am always said when I see
the wave and slip. Everybody
leaves us with one hand and
then slaps the c*** out of the
taxpayers and ratepayers in
the world. I don't want that
to happen. I hope that we will
deal with. The rock by the
situation inhat letter that
went out Christmastime. I
think it should be pulled or
rescinded if the county is
going to OK, which they will.
I am concerned about that.
Lease is right. Anyway. I'm
gonna go to my issue number.
24. The North County Airport
is a really better place for a
heliport for the South Florida
Water Management district. You
want to put a heliport for
your guys at flying Howard and
State Road 7, you know, 80
Southern Boulevard. It doesn't
belong there. Because to the
South is the author. Marshall
147,000 Acres to the North JW
Corbett. 60,000, 388 Acres. We
don't need any more poison out
there. The Marshall doesn't
need that. everything goes
downhill. All I want, I don't
say the word that what flows
downhill, but we all know what
that word is. And I do. This
is something that doesn't
belong there because even it,
you know, it's going to be
taken off 7, 8 times a day,
even hit and a little bit the
way because they say they will
fly 1800 hours. Okay. So you
can up. However, you days off
weekends, whatever, but we
don't need that. We already
have people violating the air
space out there flying lower
than 500 feet. That's
happening all over. But I
think the water management
district to find a better
place. The North County
airport would be a nice place
because it's airport. I know
you got a problem with Palm
Beach International. God help
us. We got a lot of problems
with Palm Beach International
for the next 4 years. But we
do not need any more problems
out where we live. I don't
want any more poison out where
I live. We've got a power
plant. It was supposed to use
reclaimed water. Now it has 5
permits to just take water
because those reclaimed water
splurges up their c***. So
21 million gallons a day is be
s***** out of my area for that
power plant and then they
shoot it down into the ground.
proprietary says we don't need
to know what's going into the
ground. Elevate it will
elevate it will come Vertical
migration does happen. It was
I forget actor's name, Buddy.
3 of them did a study on it
and we've got too much poison.
And Florida's to susceptible.
We fight phosphorus and
nitrogen. And then we got
mosaic on the other side of
the state. Its an oxymoron
every day of my life. I'm so
tired. I'm sick of it. After
25 years, I'm sick of all of
the smoke and mirrors and
we're doing this over here
would It's not our fault. They
did well, they the days are
are really destroying Florida.
And I I wish and I hope Mother
Nature gets bays because we
are going to get another flood
situations because your
comments, I want to do a quick
3 floods. 95 2012 and go
outside and look at where the
answer planning themselves up.
We're going to get flooded
again. Just talk to the dance.
that think you missed one
missed. Larson will hear next
from Newton Cook. New Coke.
And I want follow Florida.
>> I just want to support a
couple items on consent
agenda. involved a lot of
incredible recreation. wide
variety of people. And item
number 19. And this is best 10
Mile Creek. Project as an STA
which opens the door. district
aligned public access. a lot
of appropriate. Recreation out
there. I'm not so sure, sir.
Big kind of area, but we get a
lot of folks out. I think
you've heard me say a dozen
times. All right. This moment
where we're standing here,
those thousands and thousands
of people on district land
recreated right now. And it's
very much appreciated. The
item is item. 23 that
corkscrew regional ecosystem.
Watershed Bird Rookery
boardwalk. Now this boardwalk
at 1400 feet. understand a big
project to replace for 200
feet aboard. Well. Here is the
part. The boardwalk leads to a
12 mile Road Trail. And I do
is for the people who are
watching frequently used by
the public for outdoor
recreation activities, such as
hiking. Running, biking,
nature photography, Geale
catching All these activities.
All these people. And it's
very much appreciate it.
>> Thank you, Mr. Cook, we
have no hands raised on Zoom,
Mr. Chairman that public
comment on this item.
>> members on what you know,
the consent item. 6 teen
requires a two-thirds majority
vote. Kind of a motion, a
second to approve consent
approve consent motion motion
a second, Mr. Butler, Mr.
Martinez. Any further
discussion hearing none. We'll
call that question, Mr.
Bergeron. Yes, I'm gonna vote.
Yes, Caron. yes, Mr. Butler,
states. Yes. Thank you. That
passes unanimously go now
discussion agenda, which is
the Central Everglades
Planning Project update with
U.S..
>> Good morning, Mr. Chair and
fellow board members. I'm
gonna provide an update on the
Central Everglades Planning
Project known as as you know,
we like or acronyms. So I'll
be saying sap often. I will
have 3 resolutions for you to
consider. One is for the
construction of us. 27 bridges
associated with the CEP
Everglades, Agricultural area
phase. And to our for the
construction or features on
the set north face. As a
reminder, this slide shows an
overview of sept. And how it's
broken down into 4 phases. So
the overarching goal of step
is to provide improve the
quantity quality timing and
distribution to help restore
flow from Lake Okeechobee
south to the central and
southern Everglades. From
north to south said Pa. And
improves the can band storage
and treatment capacities by
improving north New River
Canal. The Miami Canal.
Delivering that storage to to
reservoir and then treating it
in to STA, which is already
constructed complete. The next
phase, the sept north, which
distributes additional flow
from the east to the west
along the northern boundary of
3, a and this is done by
improvements to. Canal
improvements. New structures.
And then the backfill of the
Miami can now. This allows
sheet flow again to flow
through here instead of
discharging straight down a
canal. So as we move that flow
in sheet flow South. We sub
south. Opens up the southern
system, moving water from 3 a
into Everglades National Park
and then the estuaries, the
southern estuaries. And then
the last component is SEP new
water phase of which is
complete. So it includes 5
miles seepage wall as well as
2.3 miles of a state and a
half square mile seepage wall.
This work is complete and it's
already working and keeping
water in the park, which we
think is amazing. Before I get
to the first project for your
consideration, I'm going to
walk through some updates on
Sept PA starting with the
stormwater treatment area.
This work is complete. This
picture shows the plantings
and growing phase of this STA
and how it's working. And and
it's it's it's working. we're
very excited about that. To
describe as a reminder This
portion of the project
includes an additional 200 CFS
flow being added to the north
river to be able to pull that
water in. Contract. The north
new River dredging project is
under construction. Then on
the West side. Improvements on
the order of an additional
1001 1000 CFS will constructed
to bring water from the west.
So that work is being done in
2 north and South package, the
North package is currently out
to bid and we intend to bring
that back to the April
governing board for your
consideration. So the South
package degn will be
complete this year and its
construction timeline will be
based on future your budgets.
So these 2 canal improvements
support moving the additional
flows south from Lake
Okeechobee to store in tree.
And to bring this flow into
the reservoir requires this
inflow outflow canals,
approximately. 12 miles long.
So the portion adjacent to the
STA, as you know, stays
complete, that's complete. It
includes an inflow pump
station. That's allows us to
pull water in from the Miami
Canal. And then the Corps
completed. A good portion of
its 7.3 miles. Minus the
additional segment through
here. And plus or minus. There
is a construction village that
blocks the the balance of this
construction and traffic for
construction of the different
reservoir packages. So and
then the balance of inflow
outflow canal will be with the
U.S. 27 package. That's an
item on this agenda for the
bridge crossings that brings
that North New River flow in
2. Into the project. A big
step forward for the yea. At
the at the reservoir component
was awarded by the Corps
Jacksonville District. It's
their largest construction
contract ever. We participated
in their pre construction
partner, partnering meeting
here with the Corps and their
contractor in this auditorium
in January. That's pretty
exciting for us. So the
existing construction village
here. Like I is in the way of
the inflow outflow canal. And
required to be moved to this
new location, which will house
the reservoir contractor as
well as the other contractors.
So we took this work on. It's
complete. It sits on about 70
acres of district property.
ready to mobilize for the
reservoir contractor. Right
here. You can see this is the
fpnl Roadrunner substation
that we. Contracted to bring
power to the site. So moving
to the agenda. Item U.S. 27
runs along North New River
here it is a major highway. So
these bridges are necessary
because the inflow outflow can
now design. Brings it under
under the roadway and didn't,
you know, connecting to canal.
So the green as the limits of
the court construction and the
blue is. DOT portion of the
project. So we've been. We
this project is going to move
the reservoir and STwill
move additional 370,000 acre
feet. That's an average annual
number. And through this
connection. So you can see how
important this small little
project is in the scheme of
the whole big project. We've
been working closely with dot
on the design of this feature
to sequence work. So that's
compatible. Various other
construction contracts as well
as traffic control for
producers and other other
industries. Use highway 27So
under our existing local
funding agreement with DOT.
The board approved in 2021
completing the design. This
agreement. The second
agreement will support the
construction component of that
work. To this agreement. Funds
that allows th to if
approved move forward contract
out the work, go out to bid
and contract out the work
which builds. To mention 2 new
bridge crossings and the canal
connection. For 3,000 CFS
flow. So that's not small. And
it also supports the related
services such as engineering
during construction
constructioninspection and
management services as well as
contingency. This money will
be placed in escrow. That
whatever balances left comes
back to us that the end of the
project. So now I move on to
set north, which I have 2
resolutions, one for the. For
the repurposing of the U.S. a
pump station and the second
contract. To make canal
improvements. Conveyance
improvements to 5 remnant can
now. Starting from the east.
You see this picture here.
This is our first contract out
the door for Sept north, the
Essex 20 to 500 CFS gated
culvert that moves water from
the L 6 canal to the west.
Replacing a previous. But that
was in the system. This
project will be completed this
year. So to describe why SEP
north is important. In this
graphic you can see over time.
How projects we've completed
starting to provide
improvements and Shark River
slew as well as Taylor Slew.
So the blue areas mean more
water, depth and hydration.
And benefit to the system. But
we still need to work on
moving water to the north end
of water. Conservation area.
3, a and help with hydration
and she flow. This will help
us get closer to attempting to
recreate the river. A dress.
So set north phase helps us do
that by distributing water.
Moving water and distributing
to it that this north end.
This by moving this water east
through the canal
modifications, new structures
and backfilling the Miami can
now it promotes. She flow
across the in the higher
topography in the north to the
lower areas in the South. The
components of Sepp north on
the slide or an order.
Construction packages. And
we're almost complete with a
6.20, located right here. The
Elf 5 Remnant Canal. Runs from
the junction of North New
River to a new structure that
will will be built at 6.22, it
has conveyance improvements
included in that package. The
has 8. Station modification.
Also an agenda item is
repurposing that structure to
move 3,000 CFS. Into the L for
Canal System and then south to
sheet flow. The Essex, 22
gated culvert is out for bid
now for a bit. And we will be
bringing that back to you in
the March governing board for
your consideration. So we have
a lot moving. That's moving to
construction in construction
and then in designed. So the
in order of how we reconstruct
for would go next. Connecting
the pump station to deliver
that 3,000 CFS. And then the
balance of the work the '05,
its design is complete, but we
but we would be tied into the
Miami Canal backfill to be
able to make sure we have the
capacity on the West. And
before we backfield the mind
can now. Reasons why we're
doing step north and why it's
important. 7 north step
overall, the elevation
difference to the north across
3, a has a higher is higher in
the north end and tends to dry
down under our current
hydrologic conditions and
ponding occurs in the south
end. And the greatest
ecological threaten north
under these dry conditions is
soil. Last 3 wildfires and
oxidation leading to habitat
loss. So this model shows that
SEP north features, combined
with increased flow from that
EA Reservoir. Most significant
significantly increase hydra
periods for reducing fire risk
and allowing the return of
historic Everglades vegetation
across the region. As you can
see, the blues in the Cy and
mean more days that are hard,
hydrated. So when to keep
moving SEP north forward, the
Elf 5 Remnant Canal Project
will enlarge and improve
approximately 5.8 miles of the
canal to convey 500 CFS of
Sept lows from the past 6.20.
That's almost complete to the
Essex. 22, that will be coming
to you shortly. This work
provide that operational
flexibility and 500 additional
CFS of new water moving to the
West. The essay Pump station
modification. Built back in
1962 by the Corps 3 purposes
for 1160 CFS capacity to flow
3,000 CFS to the West with the
balance flowing south for
flood control. This work is
broken out into 2 phases. The
first construction package
west for the Crane for
Richmond project that you're
approved and it's it will be
substantially complete in
March. The secondhase is for
the balance of the work needed
to repurpose and bring that
station into current.
Standards and current code. As
you can see, there's a lot
here that needs to be done. I
won't read through it. So
moving to the west portion of
Seth North, for Canal, as I
described, needs Includes
features from the essay all
the way up to this junction
here. And the project
implementation report, meaning
the planning phase of this
work. It included degrading
this Southern Levy. Between
the canal and water
conservation area. 3, a so
when we moved into design, we
determined. he detailed
modeling determined that
degrading this levee found it
to be an effective in
delivering the uniform flow
needed to meet restoration
goals. So instead of him.
Instead we're improving the
ELF or Canal by increasing its
capacity to 3,000 CFS. We will
be constructing. We're
designing new structures. And
I spreader can now. And what
this design allows is staging
up for can now instead of a
pump station, we will now be
designing a covert to gravity
flow for the tribes. Water
supply needs. In addition, the
which has that 4,160 C Fs
capacity, we will design.
We're designing a connecting
can now to deliver that
Theresa 1000 CFS. The
structure in the Mighty Canal
to flow the balance going
South. So moving back to the
east between asked 8 and has
6.22. is the L 5 canal
expansion. Section commands
section would be improved to
fly 3,000 CFS. Allowing us to
move that water. To the West.
And like, like I mentioned
before, we will be combining
these 2 packages to move
together. We want to be able
to excavate. Process the
material and truck the
material South to it to
backfill from the south to the
North. So to minimize or
handling of materials. That is
why combining those 2
packages. In addition, the
reason why we went to for
first. Is because we want to
make sure we have that
capacity to move the water for
flood control before we
backfill the Miami can now.
And this will be the last
component of Sept North.
Seppi. A has a partnership.
key partnership crediting
agreement but set has the PPA.
Sept north has that PRE
Partnership crediting
agreement. So some of the
changes I now for. Are not in
that the I R and what that
required was a validation
report. And so with that
validation report. We'll be
able to. Move on for Canal
improvements. And that will be
complete in 2025. But moving
back to our 2 items on the
agenda were hoping for our
permits 4, 0, 8, 4, for
permits. This march. Moving on
to the 6.22, we're hoping for
the amendment to the agreement
in April with our permits in
March. Be able to move out on
those 3 construction
contracts. All of the futures
are part of the are covered
under existing agreements. And
I will asked for questions
first. Before moving on to
resolution. We have public
comment. Yes, Mr. Chairman, we
will hear first from Mark
Perry followed by Caitlin
Newcamp.
>> Governing board and just a
comment that the serve. You
know, critical components of
that. Sept in all the set
features inside. So anxiously
wanting to go ahead.
Obviously, was completion of
all these kind of components.
And we remember the times
everything was combined into
sept north-south and it's
critical that we get going and
move these components forward
so we can get that water
moving in the right place at
the right time, right?
Quantity quality distribution.
Thank you.
>> Thank you, Mr. Perry next
is Caitlin Newcamp.
>> Good afternoon. Governing
board members, Caitlin Newcamp
with Audubon Florida. It was
just like to commend the
district's efforts continue to
work on PA project. We
recognize the importance of
the U.S. 27 bridges as a vital
component of Everglades
restoration and water
management, particularly for
reducing harmful discharges
from Lake Okeechobee to the
northern estuaries and
providing much-needed storage
treatment and conveys to the
southern Everglades. It is
essential that the designing
conveyance of these bridges as
well as the canal segment,
maximize hydrologic
connectivity and contribute to
the natural flow of water in
the southern Everglades. In
addition, we support the
continued advancement of the 7
north features, including the
L 5 from the canal
improvements and the S a pump
station modification, which
are vital to restoring the
hydrology of the northern
Everglades and enhancing water
management and water
conservation area. 3, a 7
north is critical to improving
water flow, quality and
habitat in the northern
Everglades while supporting
flood protection, wildlife
conservation and long-term
ecological health in South
Florida. It is a key part of
ongoing efforts to restore the
Everglades and ensure a
balanced and viable water
management system for future
generations. So overall, out
of on Florida supports the
approval of all of these SEP
projects. And we urge the
district to continue
prioritizing environmental
protection, adaptive
management and long-term
restoration goals. As these
projects move forward. Thank
you. Thank you. Miss Newcamp.
We'll hear next from Eric
Eichenberg on Zoom.
>> Mr. Eichenberg please
Unmute your mic.
>> morning, Mr. Chairman, I
logged in see the beginning of
this presentation. was
excellent. I love hearing
these wonderful SEP updates
soon to be on a monthly basis.
This project, as you all know,
is so critical to the
reconnection of Lake
Okeechobee down the floor
debates. All of these features
from Sepp north-central south.
So critical I want compliment
ruin his team for the great
work. They're doing We've got
to get that blue shanty figure
it out. We've got to raise the
Osceola camp. We want to make
sure all that water is flowing
and the bridges that desiring
to see into the park and floor
debates. thank you all for the
great work you're doing on
Sept and good to be with the
office.
>> Thank you, Mr. Eichenberg.
Mr. Chairman, we have no
additional public comments on
this item. Thank you. Thank
you all for your comments.
Attorney board members
questions or comments for the
snake. Mr. Trump, I. think
this is great. od movement.
Times right in 2. What I
talked about for 15 minutes.
Tamiami trail. All these
projects we're building that
are so important north of the
Tamiami trail and it just
shows how important the blue
shunning. Getting that
completed and all of these
projects. That we need to do
it. The trail to where the
water doesn't cool to flee.
Back up in the Central
Everglades. So these are great
projects. But it just shows us
how important the Tamiami
trail. We need continue to
make sure. That the water's
moving beyond the trail. And
very important. Thank you. Mr.
To Mr. Chair like to make a
motion to approve the first
resolution. All second. And
just resolution. Number 2025,
Dash, 0, 2, 1, 3, A motion and
a second. there further
discussion on that? It's
called question spectrum. Mr.
Stanley, Yes, I'm gonna vote.
yes. MR. T S? Yes, Mr. Butler.
MS meads. Yes. Thank you.
Resolution 2025, 0, 2, 1, 3,
passes unanimously kind. A
motion on 2025, 0, 2, 1, 4,
>> So moved second, a motion
and a second further
discussion. Hearing none.
We'll call that question, Mr.
Bergeron. Yes, Mr. Stanley.
Yes, I'm gonna vote. Yes,
Carol. Yes, Martinez, Mr.
Butler. Yes, this Yes. Thank
you. That passes unanimously
resolution 2025, 0, 2, 1, 5,
Is there a motion? Make a
motion have a motion and a
second. Is there further
discussion? Hearing on call
that question? Mr. Bergeron.
Yes, Mr. Stanley. Yes, I'm
gonna vote. Yes. Colonel
Roman. Yes, Martinez. Yes, Mr.
Butler. Yes, this means. Yes.
Thank That passes unanimously.
Okay. We're going to break now
for lunch will be around 12,
15 ish.
Good afternoon. We'll
go ahead and call the
governing board meeting back
to order and will move into
item number. 28, which is a
technical reports with Mister
Mitnick and Mister Glenn.
>> Thank you, Mr. Chair
starting off where we always
do.
>> looking at the rainfall.
You can see the month of
February, there hasn't been
any ring. At least
district-wide. So the way this
graphic is put together, a
meeting counts for entire
district. So pretty much over
the 16 counties so far this
month, 12 days into it or 13
days into it. Excuse me.
really hasn't been a whole lot
of rain over those 16
counties, but I will say it
the green at my house 2 days
ago. So that was good for the
dress. That's why you see a
bunch of red all over this
graphic. So looking there over
on the right hand side, pretty
much for the dry season to
date with started back in
October, we've only gotten
about 40% of the rain that we
typically get during the dry
season to date. So it's well
below average rainfall. What
we've experienced so far and
anybody who has a nice crispy
long can the verify that. So
as we walk through the rest of
the system between Lawrence
and I, you'll start to see the
effects of that deficit and
rainfall starting up there in
the upper right hand corner
with East Lake Toho. Those
levels are falling. We're
bringing beginning to draw
down and continuing to draw
down that lake in accordance
with the fish and Wildlife
Recession lines trying to get
back down to the summer pool,
getting ready for those
anticipated rains that
typically happen at the
beginning of the wet season,
but doing it in a manner that
is conducive to fish and
wildlife not have to steep
recession. Would occur if we
had followed the regulation
schedule all the way there to
the right to where sharp
inflection starts heading
down. Similar stories. You go
over to West Lake. Continuing
to draw down Westlake a move
that water through the system
down into Kissimmee, Cypress
and Hatchineha again accords
with the fish and Wildlife
Recession. Up in the upper
left-hand I will say that
graphic looks a little
different this time is because
there's an error in it that I
did not catch before this
morning. I just noticed it
earlier during some of the
other presentations as I was
looking ahead. So I apologize
for that. The air itself is
the this red line here, which
is the old regulation
schedule. He's still plotted
there on that graphic over top
of the current increment, one
regulation schedule. So we'll
get that fixed for next month
have it's even get it fixed
prior to the final publication
on the website of the meeting
materials. Similar story
continuing to draw down Lake
Kissimmee as we step down
through the new regulation
schedule. Increment one.
There's been the reductions
inflows. I think we talked a
little bit about that back in
December when we last Mr.
Butler and ask the questions
when those flows would start
being reduced. And as we've
stepped down through the
different zones in the
regulation schedule, we sort
of backed off of the flows
coming out of Kissimmee,
accordance with the schedule.
The was that slight bit of
rain up there. As you can see
from the blue bars there at
the top. Where lake stage came
up some. once again resume
that recession. For the most
part, continuing to manage
those flows coming out of the
lake in accordance with the
new regulation. Increment, one
scheduled. Similar story there
and Eastlake is to pump sorry
in Lake Istokpoga just and
flat with the regulation
schedule eventually will start
coming down as we get deeper
into the dry season. And with
that large.
>> Back
>> quickly, John's talking
about this recession line,
which is right over here. It's
especially important for snail
kites. And we got our first
snow kite nest in Lake Toho.
So that's the first nest for
the season across the state.
Coming down the Kissimmee PC a
year ago a month ago. And the
current conditions. So
currently there's 880 CFS
coming down the Kissimmee
River. It's not enough to push
water up and down into the
flood plain. So that
floodplain is starting dry
down. And then in this
graphic, this is a new graphic
in the top. And I wanted to
really be able to convey the
range of of discharge
necessary to begin inundation
of the floodplain and then to,
you know, fully inundate the
floodplain without rainfall.
So in this graphic at the top,
I've talked about 1400 CFS
quite often. And that is the
discharge that is required for
this stage. Discharge As you
start approaching 1400, the
River Channel is filling up.
And then when you get to
starts going over bank the
dating the floodplain. But it
doesn't in the entire
floodplain at 1400. So it's a
range between 1403,000 without
rainfall. That is required for
that. That relationship to
happen and to get floodplain
inundation. The graphic on the
bottom is showing you what the
seven-day mean. Dissolved
oxygen level is at 7.3
milligrams per liter. This is
well above those limits down
at the bottom that we start
being concerned about for
organisms are acquiring
option. It's a looking at how
waters moved around the
northern parcel portion of the
system. You can see.
>> Read about there's been
about 1.4 million acre feet
has flowed into Lake
Okeechobee from the northern
watershed, but hardly any of
that. I'm sorry. The majority
of that was prior to this last
month because of the month of
January early hasn't been a
whole lot of rain. There has
been a lot of flow.
>> As indicated by those
previous graphics over on the
West Coast, you can see about
1.6 million acre feet has been
moved towards the
Caloosahatchee estuary with
about 440,000 acre feet.
Having originated back in Lake
Okeechobee. Over on the East
Coast. Now with the recovery
operations under way, you can
see there's been about 253,000
acre feet of water come out of
the C 44 basin. Inclusive of
Lake Okeechobee, adding for
contributing about 116,000
acre feet of water from Lake
Okeechobee through the C 44
canal, to the Port St. Lucie
Estuary, looking at other 2
inputs c, 23. 24, you've got
about 200 and just shy of
250,000 acre feet of runoff
for the water year to date
going to the Port St. Lucie
Estuary and then about 111 or
so I'm going out. See 25 into
the Indian River Lagoon up in
the Fort Pierce area. kind of
takes us to Lake Okeechobee
and what there's been a fair
amount of discussion as you're
well aware over the forecast
in the projections of recovery
operations and where the and
up. So analysis is that
conditional position, analysis
that we switch to a number of
months ago. It is inclusive of
recovery operations as
described in Lowsome and also
takes into account the climate
projections for the next
couple months through rest of
the dry season that big gray
box. There's just a meant to
cover up the wet season
because the tool that we are
using does not predict
reliable results out into the
wet season. So it's good for
the application of the dry
season over from now until
about June. 1st. But once you
get past that and sort of
there's other things that need
to be taken into
consideration. So right now
you can see based on the
different percentiles. This
red line here is the 50th
percentile. So coming down.
But that should tell you by
June first, you've got roughly
50% chance or probability
actually that the lake will
just below 12 feet by June
first and then 25 percent
probability the lake has a
chance of getting down to just
below 11 and a half feet. So
that's the tool that the water
management district has been
doing using in combination
with the traditional dynamic
position. Analysis. Again, all
of that is posted out the
district's web page for
everybody to go view and
peruse at your leisure. I will
also share with you. This is
the forecast that the Corps of
Engineers presented at the
public meeting just earlier
this week. This tool is a
little bit different than the
one that we use. It has some
assumptions built into it. You
can see up there up in the
upper right-hand corner. What
those assumptions are on the
different scenarios. So
there's 3 scenarios and the 3
dotted lines that you can see.
And then down at the bottom of
the graphic in the table is
what the forecasted low and
the very given day based on
each one of those scenarios,
scenarios run. If you continue
recovery operations through
May 1st or you stop and
curtail those recovery
operations, March 15th or
versus if you're done it
earlier in the beginning of
February and the likely
outcome given and 80%. I would
say 80% probability for
precipitation. So the
district's tool we take into
the climate forecast based on
the Climate Prediction Center,
this tool just assumes if you
get 80% average rainfall from
now through June first. And
that's inputs into the lake.
And then you would have these
protected lake stages. Right
now we have been tracking
about 40%. Average rainfall.
So that's sort of the
difference between the 2 tools
as you go. One is in better
than the other. They're just
different approaches and more
information 4 decision makers
to evaluating as they reach
their conclusions in the
operations. are asking a
question certainly Zeke. So I
think you said in in November
average about you think about
a foot a month that you lose
off the lake.
>> Charlies. Yeah. Generally
speaking over the course of a
dry normal dry season, you
lose about 3 feet.
>> You can generally break
that up into one foot for
Operation Transporation one
foot for water supply and one
foot for other uses flowing
water south.
>> Its February 15th and work
14 feet right. And June, first
3 and a half months away. So
my simple math is taking his
way below 12 feet.
>> Yeah, that's that's what
everybody's been evaluating
right now. There's still a
likelihood, a high likelihood
of achieving success in with
the recovery operations. And
Lawrence can talk a little bit
more about what that means to
the lake and every day below
12 feet is a good thing. So
there's still a likelihood of
success. Now, having just said
that there are other
considerations. And Lawrence,
we'll talk some about this
when he talks about the
estuaries. There's other
considerations that go into
recovery operations such as
the estuary, extreme
conditions and what impact
those operations are having on
the estuaries. If any, as well
as the impending spawning
season and the estuaries and
that reproductive time frame
that the estuaries go through.
We don't want to limit that
any way, shape or form either.
So right now what we're
signaling in our weekly
recommendations that Drews
talked about with the
commander is that? For
recommending that recovery
operations continue monitoring
the extreme conditions, but
with the mindset to start
implementing reductions in the
beginning of March. So that's
sort of the district is
recommending at this time and
that we reassess tt
recommendation every week.
Chairman forth.
>> The core forecast. At the
beginning of the dry season.
Wouldn't it higher for a
higher like than what the
district forecast. And here we
are now the corps forecasting
lower. Yes, it was. it is that
because the recovery mode
wouldn't put into their
forecast for what's So they
did also present that slide
that you're talking about.
They had a December forecast
in the public meeting. I did
not included in my slide deck,
but you are correct. The
December forecast.
>> Based on the same tool that
the Corps had predicted a
higher stage at that point in
time. The difference between
then and now is the lack of
rainfall. We've been tracking
40% of precipitation instead
of an assumed 80%. So that's
why this forecast has come out
lower and increase the
likelihood or the chance of
achieving success. Because
Mother Nature simply dried up
the skies. One more quick
question on down here.
>> The gold under recovery as
part of Lowsome. Was under 11
for 60 days, 11 and a half
under 11, a half or 60 days or
under 12 for 90 days, correct.
And I see I was to hear doubt
having to do math in my head.
Look at the Blue Line
countdown and get in the days
of the camera want.
>> It's already calculated
down here. bottom, Jenna?
Dewan, go ahead. Careful.
That's what saw was 97 days on
scenario one and 69 days on
scenario, 2, again, lowsome
and vision for recovery. 90
days.
>> 12 and a or 12 at 12 for
success. Correct. I will
follow up after all. I want to
hear after the estuary
conditions and the follow-up
of discussion, maybe at the
end of this whole
presentation.
>> Sounds like you're up arms
to short.
>> So what we're seeing here
is mean the big take home
message is the graphic on the
right-hand side where oranges
combined inflows and the green
and the blue is combined
outflows. So they're out
flowing a lot more than is
coming into the lake
currently, you go over to the
left hand side and you see
what's coming in at 900.
Basically 1900 going 77 and
740 going out as Now, this is
a pretty interesting little
data figure going. You've got
to 38 CFS going South. You
have to 35 going out east and
west and you have 2.39 or 239
going out 2,390 going up
through of Apple Transporation
say have 3 different processes
there that are taking water
off of the lake and basically
the same rate and from this
point forward Transporation
starts really picking up.
We'll get into the next month
where that will be. I mean, we
see 3400 so Transporation.
John has talked about it
before in the beginning of the
the dry season is kind of
operations and then it moves
how water is moving out. And
the 2nd half is of Apple
Transporation water supplies.
So we're kind of teetering on
that to that point right now
we're going to see of Apple
Transporation really pick up
do the more than what we're
doing on either of the other
outlets. So where are we in
terms of the different
ecological out Lopes? If this
was a regular year, we would
be at the bottom and of the
standard ecological envelope.
But we are in recovery. So
we're just probably today
because we're a little lower
than the number of their 14
point. 1, 8, ngv where we are
in the recovery envelope. And
we're definitely following
that trajectory. Dow. I had
those numbers for you here.
We've already discussed them,
but it's 90 days that are
below 12 feet and 60 days at
or below 11 fee and what that
looks like. Here's your
targets stages down in the
bottom and how long the period
of time that you lot
ecological envelope allows for
those if we were to hit in May
and that be 135 days, the 12
foot target. If you hit it
then or it would be if you had
11 point 5 that allows for 105
days. So you look at the blue
trace of 2019. You see that it
hits below are hits levels
below 11.5 in May. And then it
starts coming back up in
August and the same thing for
12 feet. It meets both of
those criteria of the 60 in
the 90 days. So if we were to
follow something like that
because rainfall still, you
know, usually starts happening
in July and August. It lets
you know, likely would have a
pretty good chance of meeting
these recovery criteria. And
one thing I want to kind not
dismiss, but talk about these
criteria. Is. 90 days at 12
feet is 85 days. Not good
enough. You know, if we go
even 92 days, is that too
much? You know, so and as John
said it and then stole my
thunder. But it was great that
he cause, you know, the
benefits that you get even at
70 days. But pretty
incredible. So 90 days our
target does what really like
to see because that's it's
really based on that. How how
expansive a nation can be on
the lake. You know how much
city that's going to create
from Anchorage perspective
across the lake. But
absolutely getting to 12 for a
period of time is extremely
beneficial. And here's some
more good news. So our crews
have been out looking at the
lake and we have found SA V
numerous areas along Indian
Prairie shoreline is or 2 to 3
inch tall plants. And we found
them up to 6 to 8 inches. So
even if we didn't get to, you
know, say we got to 12.5 and
we didn't get to 12 and we
weren't getting a lot of new
germination. We have pockets
of sat out there that are
going to benefit greatly and
become more dense and be able
to carry themselves through
time. And that's habitat,
especially for the bass
fishery that that, you know,
people are really concerned
about. So the operations that
we're doing, I think are going
to be very beneficial for as a
be on the lake this coming
year. Looking at a sign
bacterial bloom, potential and
intensity. So we start to see
uptick in the pixels that this
is a NOAA satellite. It's
looking down at the lake and
is picking up signatures of of
photosynthetic pigment on the
surface of the water. So what
type of phytoplankton are out
there that are photo
synthesizing or the algae or
they blue green algae. This
doesn't tell you what they
are. It just says that there's
if you look over on the
right-hand side that there's a
low probability that there's
an out algae bloom, a current.
So we have monitoring that. We
do. You know, during the bloom
season, we're out there twice
a month, looking at 32
different stations and the
winter. We have 9 stations
that we're looking at monthly
and that sampling occurred
last week. And really the
take-home message here is
there are algal bloom, not how
come there are Al Ghul species
out there present. There are
always present in fresh water,
but we don't dominant species
occurring. We get concerned
when blue green microcystis
becomes most dominant and that
is a toxin producer. So you
see there is no dominant taxa
and there are no toxins being
produced currently. We also
suggested to the Army Corps
that they initiate early this
year. There. Daily reporting
at the structures. So as 308,
as 80 and the Port St. Lucie
side at 77, 78 79 in the
Caloosahatchee side. So every
day they do a visual
inspection. Take photos that
comes to us. We kind of
package and send it out as a
report so that the public has
that data as well. And there
have been no visual nothing
has been positive. It's all
been zeros. They had seen no
blue green algae at any of the
structures. We are beginning
waiting bird season. And so
we've had 2 samples to date in
the February. One you see is
along that just smack dab in
the middle of the inner core
Tower range and on the 5 year
average. That's about 1500
wading birds using the lake
currently wading bird use is
going to really begin to
increase when we hit 14 feet.
So I expect to come back next
month and tell you that wading
bird foraging has increased
pretty dramatically. Now
looking at inflows and
sanity conditions over in
this and the Port St. Lucie,
these blue areas right here
show and we are Army Corps is
pulse, releasing water to the
Port St. Lucie and then you're
also going to see what the
difference is in the salinity
set up between last month and
this month. And so the forks
right now are between 0, 5,
and that's called The Lego
Hailing zone. And then when
you start getting to pass the
forks in the mid estuary
through here year 5 to 18.
That's the meso hailing zone.
And that's the area and the
salinity condition that is
referenced over here between
10. And 25, which is the
optimal range for adult
oysters. And you see that that
we're in, that we're at the
bottom, but we're at the end.
John alluded to it. March
begins. Reproduction and the
estuaries. So you have the
fish beginning. This bond. You
have the oysters that are
beginning to spawn. have photo
phytoplankton and zooplankton
that are starting to produce
and that's the base of the
food that's the extreme food
lab that is really important
for sustaining and maintaining
all of the life in the
estuary. So I show you on this
right hand side that that is
the optimal threshold range
for adult oysters spat like
higher salinity than 10. So
they're more like the 12, 15,
probably the 15 range that
that they prefer in order for
their survivorship. So that's
where we talked about. And
John said that we're
considering ramping down so
that we can allow those
salinity ranges to elevate. So
that newly released that would
have a greater chance for
survivor ship. Going over the
Caloosahatchee. Same sort of
thing. Here is a pulse
releases that we're seeing.
You're seeing the salinity
gradient through the system,
which is actually a really
great salinity gradient. When
you look at adult oysters for
both Cape Coral Shell Point,
you're right in smack dab that
preferred range. Sanibel is
always a little salt here. But
the same thing for this site,
reproduction occurs just
similarly as it does in the
Port St. Lucie side, the
Caloosahatchee a little bit
different in its base flow.
The restoration target is a
base of 7.50. So this estuary
is just has a different
configuration and hydro
dynamics and the Port St.
Lucie Side does so. It's
always looking for 750 and
above in order to keep this
salinity and in range with the
needs of the organisms in it.
All right. So looking at how
waters moved around the
southern portion of the
system.
>> You can see the outflows
from Lake Okeechobee this past
month with those drier
weathers, inclusive of all
destinations flowing water,
South water supply. Everything
included just shy of 300,000
acre feet in the last month.
So you anticipate seeing those
numbers continuing to increase
as we go deeper into the dry
season. There's been about and
total just shy of 1.7 million
acre feet of moved into the
water conservation areas.
Currently the S Ten's the
Corps of Engineers has those
closed as well as the S
elevens going from area to
area 3. Those are also closed.
However, we are in cooperation
with the Corps of Engineers
moving some water out of area.
2 through 7 pump station to a
gravity gate that is OK to
that station and moving it
just on the other side of us.
27 and trying to put it right
in here through the S one, 50
structure to be able to
hydrate that combat bird
colony. That is right there
and maintain some water levels
around the colonies. So
continue those operations. The
best we can. Moving farther
down in the system. You can
see in total there's been a
significant volume of water
has been moved down into
Everglades National Park just
shy of 1.5 million acre feet
inclusive of some of that
return seepage and the
detention cells over here on
the eastern side along the
lower East coast from
Miami-Dade Palm Beach County.
There's been just shy of 2 and
a half million acre feet. He's
been moved off the lower East
Coast urbanized areas. the
Intercoastal Waterway with
about a million and a half of
that 2 and a half million
actually being directed
towards Biscayne Bay. So with
that looking at the stormwater
treatment areas you can see so
far this year, the stormwater
treatment areas have treated
just over a million acre feet
of water and process that
million acre feet of water
through them since going back
to May. 1st of last year, what
you'll notice different this
month and when we met in
December, is this bar down
here at the bottom is getting
a lot larger. You can see with
the drier weather that I've
already talked about. The
moving water south. We're
continuing to process that
water through the stormwater
treatment areas and that
153,000 acre feet is what
we've been able to do so far.
This dry season just coming
from Lake Okeechobee. And
you'll notice if you look back
across the years, that's the
highest total since 2019 that
we've been able to process
through the stormwater
treatment areas during the dry
season from Lake Okeechobee.
Is mainly attributed to the
drier conditions. When it's
not raining, then we can move
a lot more water as evidence
back here in 2015 when there
is a sizable amount of water
moved during the dry season
that 586,000 acre feet was
able to be processed through
the stormwater treatment areas
because there was a lack of
rainfall south of the lake. So
we're on track this year to
continue to see more water
moving south right now are
doing about 1100. 1100 cubic
feet per second solely
attributed to moving water
south through the stormwater
treatment areas in total
outflows from the lake this
morning. We're just over 2000
CFS with the balance being for
water supply. But 1100 of that
2000 is going to the St Ays
and down into the Central
Everglades. With that,
Lawrence. So John's already
talked about the numbers and
we have a substantial amount
coming from the
>> always want to keep in mind
that the dry season is the
time. Are we going to help?
Education has been stressed
through the wet season because
it cuts deep for long time.
They're doing their job.
They're doing their job very
well. But this is our
opportunity to go in and do
that. But we always are
looking for opportunity to
move this lake water through.
So most of the treatment
cells, as you see in the
bottom graph, most of the St
Ays are at their target stages
except for STA 5, 6, That one
tends to drive down. But
that's what the one to c one.
39 at the be is gonna come in
and help ameliorate that
condition. But you see John
talked about flows that we've
been sending through the St
Ays and in the last week that
gives you the volumes of where
they're going. We try to send
it through 2, 3 for that's a
central flow. A and these
numbers what we're putting in
is is almost exactly what's
going out. Some state cells
were actually holding water
and for different tests. And
I'll get into that in this
next slide. So when we look
for taking lake water, the
preferred flow path is the
central flow path. And that is
STA 3, 4, which is on the
left-hand side and STA 2 on
the right hand side. So are
currently taking 600 CFS into
STA 3, 4, And that is 200 CFS
per each flow. A in STA 2.
We're taking 100 CFS each in
the for which is this one up
in the top and flow a 5 at the
bottom. This. So our is
offline. Currently has as a V
recovery is going on in there.
These to flow ways are not
being used currently because
upstream nuisance vegetation
is being treated that we do
not want to come into the STA
is this is vegetation. That's
not helpful in reducing
phosphorus. And it's also
harmful to that plants that
are in there. So we do a
really good job of making sure
to the best of our ability
that we can keep this type of
vegetation out. Then we have
STA One West and one east
where we actually have found
capacity. We have 150 CFS
going through this northern
here. There's another 50 CFS
is working Has we still start
up operations for expansion to
that is necessary? Then off of
the slide that I don't have a
5 on here today, but we're
taking 105. And then as you go
over into the STA One West,
you see that we're not pushing
water through here because of
post-construction vegetation
grow in. We're leveling in
this cell and we're keeping
this one open for any type of
runoff that we might have. We
have some rains potentially
coming up at the end of the
week at the weekend. All
right. On that call like
water, the STA. We're in Lake
Okeechobee recovery mode.
>> Which calls for? Maximum
practical releases to the
First as a standard year, Lake
Okeechobee releases to the STA
Center Dry season. Where are
Are we maximum practical? We
are based on what I just saw
pushing the envelope year and
we normally would.
>> We have we're doing what we
believe for the health of the
STA to go through the dry
season to be able to do their
jobs in the wet season.
>> We're pushing the maximum
practicable we can put through
as we are also doing the work
that we need to do to get them
ready you, Bill and current
all that comfortable. So
correct. Okay. So you would
say that we are putting more
water through the new really
would like to do in a normal
year given Q Bell, right?
Correct. I guess a legend
didn't really need to know
that. That's what Pot and we
need. Our team meets weekly. I
mean, we are looking at
conditions and there were
determining, you know, where
are we? Where are we with our
ability to to get where we're
going to go? We're bringing
some water and one east right
now because we're on the cusp
of meeting 19.
>> And we did an analysis and
said, hey, if we can put this
much water through by the end
of the year, that is at this
concentration, we think we can
meet that number. So, you
know, we're bringing water and
therefore one for the ability
to try to meet Q Bell and then
we don't put water through
other places for the same
reason because we think that
if we put too much water
through there and we go
through a lot of different
things that we check off to
make sure that we're not.
Overly stressing them during
the time that they are
supposed to be recovering from
the brunt of the work that
they do in the summer season.
Okay. So looking at the water
conservation area start in the
upper right-hand side. There
>> for conservation area, one
you can see it's gone flat
with the lack of outflows
among the core of engineers
close the s 10's. So now it is
sort of stabilizing. Is
Lawrence talked about removing
some water into area one which
is help maintain it. And just.
Parallel to the regulation
schedule now is getting back
close to the regulation
schedule water levels continue
to meet and go to the right
there when they intersect with
the regulation schedule that
I'm sure will implement some
operations to be able to bring
down area one a little bit and
coordination with the refuge
and their input as well as the
Corps of Engineers. Looking at
area 2. It's going through a
nice recession. Lawrence,
we'll talk about the ecology
in area 2 here shortly. But
it's going down through a nice
recession and was still above
its regulation schedule. But
it's sitting in a good place
for this time of year, given
the balance of the dry season.
And we still yet to go
through. Area 3. Now, as you
can tell, he's been below
scheduled for sometime now.
Its continuing to recede.
Outflows from area 3 are going
through s 12 C and e and then
through the 3, 3, 3,
structures into the L 29.
We're continuing to meet the
Tamiami trail flow formula,
which is just under 1000 cubic
feet per second. So we're
continuing to move water out
of area 3 in accordance with
the flow formula. one last
thing down the South Dade
conveyance system. We have
ceased pumping operations at
3.56. And instead we're now
allowing that water to move
down the South Dade conveyance
system to the 3, 3, 2 pump
stations and then effort sort
of maintain the hydrologic
courage that sets up by
putting water in those
detention cells and therefore
limiting the amount of seepage
that comes out of Everglades
National Park and holding that
water back in park. You take a
look at these 3 figures and
it's going from December
January and
>> end of February. And
there's some circles on here
to help guide you as we look
and you see it that top end of
a water conservation area. 3,
the northern end, that water
level has declined comment
starting to approach soil
surface. You heard loose in a
talk about how the and
significance and the
importance of Sepp North isn't
keeping that area hydrated. So
we get concerned when it does
dry down completely that soil.
That's where we've had the
most soil loss through time in
the Everglades and see they're
gonna oxidize and blow away or
you can have forced, you know,
fires, wildfires that common
and Burnet away and member
that that that peat layer.
That's there. It took
thousands of years to to
buildup and fire can take out,
you know, several inches of
that. Very quickly. So that's
that's a concern. But one
thing we do know is that the
operations that we're doing
and I'll get to this and the
next one, the operations of
keeping this area hydrated in
the water that we are putting
through the St Ays is keeping
the recession rate in this
area. pretty nice. But I'll
get to that in a minute. The
pond, that condition that
occurs down here in the bottom
of of the system. Has
definitely diminished. You see
the greens and compared to
what that is on the scale
right here pounded we're
thinking 2 feet and above that
is now absent. Big cypress is
very dry. Currently. Then you
go down further. And so you
have a and slow. You have
Shark River slew and you have
Taylor Slew that hydrologic
conductivity is starting to
manage, but it's still there.
So it has waters coming down.
That connectivity is still
there, especially over on the
Taylor Riverside to provide
water to Florida Bay. Now,
here's where we get into the
left-hand table are recession
rates. They have minuses in
front of the numbers that
saying how fast water is
starting to decline and on the
right hand table is what our
water depths. So something to
note right here is that the
bottom and of 3, a is
receiving a lot more quickly.
Then the northern and the So
the operations that we're
doing at the northern end are
definitely beneficial to that
area. And that's where the Ali
North colony is an have more
discussion about that in a
minute. But that area also is
the driest. So we're doing I
think a really great job of
bringing water through the STA
is and that operation from
water Conservation area. 2 to
keep this area hydrated. We
had a bird flight this week
through the Everglades. You'll
see it's very foggy in the
morning. At the beginning,
there was a lot of data that
came in and water conservation
areas, one and 2. But for in
the park, there was good data
that came What we're seeing is
that there are still
relatively large numbers down
along the coast, right in
here, forging all of these
stars are would start nests or
would start colonies. And so
there are colonies that are
out there. There's there's 4
different there with pears
ranging from 50 up to 180
pairs that are nesting Knesset
a little early this year. One
of the things that you'll
notice is this green. So this
is the optimal water depth for
foraging. So if it's too deep,
you don't have a 3 foot leg
feet water into a wading bird.
This is too dry as more of
these greens come in as a
concession, you know,
continues through the dry
season. Those will get larger.
We normally don't see green
this much green this early in
the season. So, you know,
water levels have come down
pretty quickly. So for those
birds that that nested and
especially wood storks that
require the longest nesting
period they that takes and the
longest time to fledge their
younger, younger, quite I'll
get more to that in the next
one. But there's there's a
concern that for wood storks
of can they write out the
remainder of the dry season
and still be able to fledge
their young? So there's 2
different gauges that we look
at relative to different
companies that we have of
wading birds out and asked.
And the Everglades, particular
gauges in the north. And it
has to do with the Ali North
colony and for the Ali North
colony. We like to see. Water
depths at 9.5 feet or above on
the 15th of March. And that's
just data-driven date and and
water depth that we have seen.
If it's not 9.5, we do not
have substantial nesting at
that's greater than 9.5. We
have nesting in a successful.
So it's the ability of having
the water there and then have
the recession as the young are
are hatched and the parents
can go find food for their
babies. That's what that
really relates to. And we're
seeing currently. We are
online to to staying on that
target. So we think we'll have
a good or an average, at least
weaving bird nesting season at
the Ali North. Now further
south, where stars were and
the stark mask and water
conservation area. 3, we would
like to see water depths of a
foot and a half at the
beginning of March, declining
to about a half a foot at the
end of the season. difference
being here. Storks our. The
spray based. So they're
looking for fish to feed their
young. They're not looking for
anything else like this can go
and moist soils. You'll see
him in their yard. Nothing can
find whatever they need.
Starks want fish. So if the
water depth isn't there to
sustain the fish, you know,
that's an issue. So what we're
seeing in this graphic here is
this is the observed data, the
blue line and this all
connected and then stashed
line is basically the average
of this recession and how it
would play out to the end of
the season. The green boxes,
in between these 2 deaths that
are necessary for foraging. So
we would want that blue line
to spend a lot of time in this
green box for nesting to be
successful in 4 pledging to be
successful. But it's only
going through a small part. So
that's where we're going to
keep monitoring to see how
this plays out for wood storks
a season, whereas I this we
think we'll have a good
nesting year. Coming down into
Biscayne Bay. Salinity ask a
question for you. Move out of
the conservation areas. Yes,
sir. For a foot above schedule
in 2. And below schedule in 3.
I know the s eleven's your
clothes. you have water
flowing on the the north
boundary over into. 3 a taking
water out of to bring it back
up and bringing it down into
the tap, into the northeast.
Yes. What do you got out of 2
to 3. You know that number
Jen? Johns, looking for that
number, OK? It's better
obviously be at the farther
north. And as you what water
to flow across the whole face
of correct 3, especially where
these colonies are. But we
have just over 200 CFS going
through one 50 right now. Is
that all you could put through
there based on the headwater
and Taylor conditions? But I
mean, Lawrence can correct me
if I'm wrong, that is
sufficient right now to be
able to maintain the hydrology
around the super colony.
>> It is. we would like to
instead of like opening the
elevens and trying to bring
all that volume of water out
the volume of water that's in
there. Now, if we can have
that to maintain this
operation as long as possible
as what we think is most
beneficial. So if you are a
little larger volume out of 2
because to a small in
comparison to 3 having that
water there least maintain
this operation is what we
think would just seem like we
would be trying to get 2.
Obviously, you want. 200. Up
to the north, but it seemed
like would be trying to get
too down To Its schedule and 3
is below schedule. And and
they're they're. So there is
some issue with 2.
>> And and where you are
relative to schedule because
it's based on what gauge are
looking at. 2 is is has a lot
of tope a graphic difference
across a very small region.
And if we were to come down to
schedule the top end of 2 is
going to be very, very dry.
And so what they're looking
and SEP one point. Oh, and
we'd be. Thrilled to come down
and go through you through
this with you. Is there
looking at changing how the
operations for water
conservation area, 2? And
water conservation area 2
because of that hope a graphic
difference. Really the key to
getting hydrology right in
there is to have a more
constant level of flow because
the flows going to be coming
in is if put water in and then
you don't at a club rates over
that that difference. And so
it ponds in the bottom and it
drives at the top. to really
needs more consistent flow
rather than on off switch to
keep that that more
meaningful. If all and stage
that's that's compatible with
fish and wildlife rather than
having that on off and then in
a rates of one and is to try
and One is too deep. So that's
what we're going through. And
the SEP one point. Oh,
reevaluation. And that's what
our scientists are saying is
the best method for that
particular water conservation
area. I think Being a foot
above schedule. Going into the
rainy season. not not good for
that area. We have. I'm very
familiar with it. We've always
had obviously on the north and
dry and ponding on the south.
And we got the same thing in
area 3. On the south and But
how do we get the ridge and
slurs? In 2 A and 2 B? And
with the proper water flow.
And stay as much as we can
within the compatible water
gaps with the wildlife from
the plant communities. It's
always been a concern of mine.
And I just think that. We had
some discussions about
changing the the depth 2, I
think yes, Are we? Talking to
the FWC about? These changes.
Water Dept. Yes. After the
season partner, the team that
is evaluating the regulation
schedule for area too. And
what changes?
>> That can be made as part of
step. One point note in order
facilitate a bter ecology
within area too.
>> Yeah, well, I definitely
want to be a part of those
discussions when you all go
forward because we've
tremendous devastation to the
wildlife fund. 2, A and 2 B.
Duke has the depth of the
water. I think there's a we
have to make sure we get it
right. Absolutely. We'll make
surehat you know anything
that progress. Once you get
over to for water and those
flows, you're really Started
to affect the fur bearing
animals. But fewer left there.
But I would hope in the future
as water continues to flow
south and we get pinch point
out of our way down the trai
that. We can have Moore flow,
not flow, stopped low flow.
Shut. The cage start again,
you know, let this moose river
of grass. She could sway. To
Florida Bay and Biscayne Bay.
I'm really concerned about
area too. And to be. On how
we're going to. Connect that
flow. So we keep the ridge and
slew of facts and up with the
a depth, the water, this
compatible to food chain. And
the plant communities.
Including for bearing animals.
It's quite a balance. Quite a
challenge. I know that. But
but I think I think we can
achieve it. Yes, Looking at
Florida Bay salinity, it's on
a decline which is great.
>> So for Florida Bay and like
any other as 2 area that we're
looking at the restoration
target for BBC here was not
it's not in place at tween 15
18. And you see that bottom
number is trending down
towards that. So the salinity
and within Florida Bay right
now is not really of great
concern. And as those projects
come on, we'll see that start
to be ameliorated. And I'm
going down at the bottom of
the system with the Florida
Bay. So here we on this side,
the salinities like in the
eastern and the central and
Western. You have the hyper
salinity value of 40. You have
this gold dotted line down the
bottom. This is that 1900
reference period. It's not a
target. Just saying this is
where it was in the 1900's.
And if you're you know, we
look at the blue and a court
all range that if we're in
that range, we think we're
doing great from a salinity
standpoint. If we're in
between that dotted gold line
and inner core Tower range,
you're doing even better which
is occurring right here. So
going into, you know, the rest
of the dry season. We're in a
pretty good, good condition.
If you look at that, you
compare it to other dry
seasons. That was a la Nina.
This one was a little bit
lower as it went through over
here. We are concerned as is
Taylor Creek is starting to,
you know, kind of slow down a
little bit with deliveries.
But overall where we are with
with salinity in Florida Bay.
We're in a really good set up
for the remainder of the
season and no concern reaching
hyper salinity. So you don't
usually see this graphic. It's
been a while. Usually the
island bring this one forward
when we're in the dry season.
guess what? We're in the dry
season.
>> So here we are talking
about groundwater conditions.
What I call your attention to
is that little red Asterix
right there over there on the
lower West Coast that's around
the Cape Coral area. So that's
a groundwater. Well, obviously
monitors groundwater levels.
So over the past week, water
levels within that well fell
about 7 tenths of a foot.
We've talked about this area
in the past specifically last
year, probably right around
the same time last year. So
it's back at the forefront
again. So with 7 tenths of a
foot drop in the aquifer that
puts it only about a half a
foot above its record low. So
far, which also means that is
about 12 feet above the
minimum flowing level for that
particular aquifer. And about
2 feet above a line that we
sort of refer to as the Joint
Action plan so that joint
action plan relates actions
that would have to be put in
place to curtail usage from
the aquifer while the utility
authority in that area goes
completing their project over
the next several years for the
utility extensions. Currently
that areas on what we call a
modified phase 3 restrictions,
which is one day a week
watering should the aquifer
levels continue to fall? we'll
have to look what actions
under that joint action plan
trips that threshold that will
need to be considering. But
that's kind of the situation
that we're dealing with over
there with the groundwater in
the lower West Coast. But as
far as the forecast goes for
rainfall, you can see from the
Climate Protection Prediction
Center that we're still
forecasting are they are still
forecasting below average. Try
season as we move forward in
time. Then once we get out
into the wet season, it's the
typical response that all bets
are off and we'll see as we
get closer. And right now
we're in what's called a
spring predictability. When do
when you're not sure what the
wet season will come out,
looking like get a little bit
farther ahead in time. But for
right now, you can see how it
switches to equal chances. And
then to above average
scenarios, you get into wet
season, but we'll continue to
monitor that as we go forward.
In the meantime, just over the
next 2 weeks likely to persist
with the below normal. And in
this current week and then
looking out into the second
week, probably closer to
normal rainfall with some of
those fronts moving across
peninsula. But we'll take that
as it goes. And with that,
Lawrence be happy to answer
any additional questions you
may have. Thanks any more
questions as Butler.
>> All right. things real You
don't go back life. I was just
good illustration. I missed
major bell being here. John,
as a still haven't seen
anything. This charge is out
at need to match the
operations of Headwater to 65
date. The court had a pdt
meeting the other day and they
didn't talk about operations
of this 65 as part of
headwaters. Are we going to
get that correct?
>> Yes, we're working with the
Corps to gauge on that issue
see how those operations can
be improved as we learn more
and more from a criminal one.
And we carry that forward into
the future planning stories
for what sorry, planning
studies, not stories. That
will be for headwaters.
>> Lows coming in to tap into
that graph need to match the
way the water is maintained at
the bottom that picture.
Simple as that message
received, serve. All right.
Secondly, real quick back on
recovery mode. As low some
states recovery mode triggers.
As recovery mode officially
been triggered. Are we past
the point no return recovery
mode? There's a certain calls.
The mayor says, you know,
recovery mode once every so
many years.
>> So yes, in low sum, there's
3 criteria that trigger
recovery mode operations. And
then there's 3 criteria that
you have to consider as you
implement move forward. So
that triggers to sort of turn
it on. So to speak. They yes,
they have absolutely been
triggered. They were triggered
several months back. So.
>> Okay. So it's been
triggered. We cannot do a
recovery mode for how many
years after we've done. You
remember what that is and
lowsome in that criteria, you
know, as carrier, I think I'm
not like we can't we can't go
recovery mode every year.
>> I don't believe so. But I
need to go back and refresh my
memory of what the extra is
because one of them is have
have you exceeded, you know,
is a 16 half or 17 feet. And
then one is have you reached a
low, OK? So by going through
recovery mode, you are
reaching that low. So you've
turned to that one off the
next year. You know, saying
the year previous you are you
are there. So you're not going
to go through recovery mode.
>> point is we've got okay.
I'll get to that point here.
Te'o Facebook could go to
sleep last night. Ngo made a
post. Recovery mode is ending
March. 15th may be. So, John,
you're casually late this
morning. So I'd be lying to
Drew and major bell and said,
what is this about? it looks
like the Corps is considering
a ramp down. Of east
discharges. Beginning in
March. And I understand
through the oyster spawning. I
see where a ramp down make
sense. As it looks today. Who
knows what conditions look
like when that decision needs
to be made. I go through all
that just leave you with
channel. My inner redhead, my
inner Reba McEntire. You've
got one shot, fancy. Don't let
me down. Okay. So we've got
one shot at this recovery
mode. I don't think that we're
not going to be able to
tolerate recovery mode every
year. Work that line. Let's
get it done. Okay. I'll leave
it at that.
>> John, do do all the flows
are coming into the Central
Everglades. Do we have the
volumes on all the flows like
this? The C 11 yes, 9 pump and
then we got the L 28 in the L
28 interceptor. I know you've
got the measurements going
through the STA is. Flows
outside of that. Do we have
any measurement on entering
the central Everglades from?
>> Yes, absolutely. I mean, I
have to call it up. I don't
have it here off the top of my
head, but I can definitely get
to that number of the total
inflows to each of the
conservation areas separately.
And then cumulative together.
>> Thank you show you have the
flows that's coming into the.
S 9 pump. Yes, And the flows.
I don't ever see those flows
on charge isn't it? In that
flow chart for the Central
Everglades in your slides,
John?
>> It is. It's for the
cumulative for the whole water
year. I mean, if you're asking
about with that Aaron right
now, one with the arrows.
>> You know, the reason why
I'm asking that question at
some point in time. When we've
got tough. The bottleneck at
the Tamiami trail. And were
able to match the inflows.
Because the outflows. That's
going to A great day when we
can do that. think I seen the
inflows into.
>> So if you're looking if
that this is again, the
cumulative inflows going back
to May first of 2024, and
total into the conservation
areas. Just shy of 1.7 million
acre feet right there. If
you're looking for the
outflows, it's inclusive of
100. And 25 here. Roughly. 850
here and these 2 numbers are
the sea but returns and 3. 56
coming in. These 2 are the
majority of the outflows. And
then again, you have the
cumulative inflows. They're
the 1.7. If you're asking
what's happening currently
right now in the dry season, S
9 is not pumping dry no need
to pump. So there's nothing
coming in over here on the
eastern side. As point. And
I've already talked about,
we're still moving water
through the stormwater
treatment areas from Lake
Okeechobee into the central
Everglades there at the top of
conservation area 3 and over
here in area 2. And we're
meeting the flow formula,
which is about 1000 CFS coming
out of area 3 down here at the
bottom. Okay. With that.
>> important. We know the
volumes of all inflows as well
as outflows. Some point time
when we get. Tamiami trail
done that Outflows matching
the inflows. That then we're
at a point where we can have
water that are compatible with
the Wildlife Fund. All of our
plant communities South. And
that's why it's so important.
said twice today. But all and
saying that one more time we
get we've got Tamiami trail. I
think we're moving in, Drew
and myself and that with the
park Service, Pedro Larry
Williams regarding. The
operations condition
operations of of the S
twelves. And I think if we
follow. The science. And we
follow endangered and
threatened wildlife plants.
Critical habitat review design
for the cape samples barrel.
If we follow, there's science
that was established in 2007.
That'll be a great day for the
Everglades. That will allow
40% of 2, 2.5 million acre
feet. Comprehensive
Everglades, modified water
delivery flowing. To Florida
And Drew, I think we should
have. Meetings as with our
federal partners and get a
timeline on when we can.
Operate the S twelves in the
3.43. a and B. On a condition
To match flows coming in and
the flows going out. And I
think all we got to do is
follow the science. Follow the
rules and regulations. That
were established and 2007.
Which actually took zone a
units, one and 2 out of
critical habitat. 18 years
ago. Be able to for the
benefit of the global system.
Be able to move water. Through
this oozing river of grass
that benefits. All of our
endangered species. And this
report actually says removing
that would benefit the Cape
Label Sparrow overall. And in
2007, there was less than 4%
of the population at that
point in time this is a
comprehensive report. It is
the rules. It is the
regulations. And I think we
need to. A meeting to continue
to make sure we we funded the
labels barrel. Relocation.
Captive breeding and I think
this is extremely important.
Anyone else have questions
for. We will move on. Thank
you both. Good afternoon.
Governing board members.
>> The monthly financial
report that's in your packet
and post on the website is
through December of 2024. So
few highlights there. We've
collected 563 million dollars
in new revenue through the
month of December and expended
235 million dollars. Compared
to December of site comparing
December 2024 to December
2023, we've collected
152 million more and expended.
51 million more. Then last
year. The 563 million in
revenue collections is mainly
comprised of 259 million
dollars from state
appropriated funds, mostly for
Everglades restoration and
288 million from ad valorem.
The remaining 16 million is
from investment earnings
license plate permits and
fees. Lee says Salem District
property and self-insurance.
We have expended and obligated
48% of our budget. That's all
I have for you on the
financial report. Moving on.
gonna this month. Also provide
some highlights of our annual
work plan. So in your packets
is the fiscal year. 23. 24
annual work plan performance
staff compiled. This is a
draft for your review. Prior
to the official posting in the
South Florida environmental
report on March first 2025. So
the work plan against for
2024. begins October first, 23
through September. 29th 2024.
the work plan measures annual
achievement towards the
boards. Strategic goals,
priorities and projects
scheduling. And it is chapter
2 of volume. 2 of the support
of our men to report. So just
a couple highlights for you.
There's 57, metrics and that
plan. We met all of the
metrics except for 2. These
are related to our
infrastructure maintenance
where the goal was no more
than 20% of field maintenance
work was to be unplanned and
they had 23% on plant. And the
other was no more than 20% of
field maintenance funds for
unplanned work. And it was
that we're at 25%. So in
response to that, we're
anticipating to see
improvements during the 2025
fiscal year due to the
additional funding that the
governor and legislature
provided us nm of our critical
infrastructure to allow us to
get caught up on some of our
backlog needs. Our project per
portfolio comprised of 132
active projects. And we
completed 25. So all in all,
it was a good year. If you
have any questions on specific
metrics, please feel free to
reach out to myself or candy.
And we can set up a meeting
with the appropriate staff.
That's all I have for Thanks
that I found that really,
really interesting reading
just nice lay everything out.
So I have to keep calling and
asking when things are going
to be done. no staff does a
great job, putting together.
Thank you. Anyone have any
questions or comments. Is
there a general public
comment? Yes, Mr. Chairman.
>> We'll begin with Mark Perry
followed by Newton Cook.
>> Thank you. Governing Mark
Perry just to kind indicate. I
mean, we are with Lake
Okeechobee recovery
operations, like we said
earlier the estuaries are
getting hit pretty hard during
this particular dry season.
You saw the comparison and the
slides at Lawrence just showed
you about, you know,
Salinities being about 5 to 10
parts per 1000, the estuary
versus last December about 18
to 30 parts per 1000. So those
low salinities in the over
long durations definitely
affect oyster reefs in
Worcester spawning that begins
to happen later on this
season. If we look at current
rate of, you know, the
including a map of
transporation that you had and
the numbers that they showed
up in about 7350 CFS out of
the lake. That's about
1414,500 acre feet per day. So
if you look at that
extrapolated out, it probably
take about 2 months or 64 days
to get down to 2 feet lower.
So we're in the in April and
that's really not going to be
acceptable. spawning season.
The the estuaries don't get
any recovery. I know the STA
is are under recovery. I know
that their sand, we got to
recover the lake and
definitely got to do that.
We've got to get this water
moving south. Can we move it
at the maximum practical razon
just 1100 CFS we've got to get
that move more south to the
Everglades. It needs are right
now. Actually end not to the
statue areas for right now. So
let's try to work on that.
Maximum practical. What's
happened we've taking up a lot
of that capacity to the bar
graph that you see from John
when presents that with you
know, over a million acre
through the water to the St
Ays into the water
conservation areas and only
about, you know, to that
200,000 acre feet of that is
from the lake. All the other
800 plus 1000 is from basin
runoff. And every year we
supply and water were
happening now, water supplies
coming out of the lake going
to probably may. But then and
they're worried about the lake
into well. Because of they
need that water supply. And
then every sweat season we
over drain that that whole
basin. And with over a million
acre feet practically only a
little bit of capacity left
for getting like water through
the St Ays and into the water
conservation ERs. So we need
to do a better job. Managing
that water and and try to work
on those permits that they
have to over drain and
oversupply. That basin. that's
all I can say. I mean, we're
really need to recover the
lake. But at the same time,
understand the damage it does
to the estuaries, which are
struggling to recover as well.
Thank Thank you, Mr. Perry.
>> Next we'll hear from Newton
Cook followed by Diamond
Bergeron.
>> afternoon. Newton Cook,
United Waterfowlers. And
sometimes we get fixated on.
The lake in the Everglades
South. A round of speed just a
few minutes about. The other
part, what this district
managers and that's hold down.
I deal with the Saint Johns
River, Water Management
District and I stood right in
front of governing board about
a year ago year and a half ago
and explain them what they
were getting ready to do to
Lake Apopka. When they decided
to spread out 8,000 acres, a
B, which happen to be had to
go up that like. You know,
you're doing the same thing.
The Lake Toho. As I stand
here. ran out. A large
portion. Happens to be had
real up could be was
pondering. Who cares? say You
know what happened Lake
Apopka. Didn't make the TV
down. Here are some people
know. We just had a massive
fish kill it, kill 10's
hundreds of thousands of
beach, a pound bass floating.
And the waters for, as you can
see how You know, why? Because
after we explained to him that
you kill out, beat it. Claims
the water. Foster's level goes
Well. Foster's level went up.
You know what happens when the
fosters level goes up, get out
now that doesn't kill the
fish. Spray doesn't kill the
fish. And blue green algae.
Not a big fish kill. But what
does kill the fish? If you
have a cold snap. And all the
options s***** out of water.
And a fish die by the
thousands. And that's just
what happened. The last cold
snap. And this district. This
spring out. as a stand. We
probably won't get a cold
snap. We probably won't have a
fish kill. Why do make
Disneyland out of these lakes?
These lakes are supposed to be
wearing a summit tropical
zone. There's supposed to be
vegetated a lot. Not just a
little. And we spend millions
of dollars in this case,
7 million sold a pop-up think
a couple of million Making
Disney lands out of people can
run around. I never bass
boats. And the shoreline
people can. Not seeing any
vegetation along the
shoreline. Totally unnatural.
Read it to Cuesta fouls when
the people that came down the
Kissimmee and the 18 million
teen hundreds to Lake
Okeechobee and read. But they
had to fight through lakes and
the rivers. The natural.
Everglades. Vegetated. Please
Think you thank you, Mr. Cook.
>> We'll hear next from
Diamond Bertram, followed by
Michele are kept Palermo on
Good afternoon.
>> Di numbers are on with the
Bergeron Everglades
Foundation. We're probably
outside of the happy New Year
window. But I want to wish
everyone a happy new year. We
didn't have a meeting in
January. So I think that's
appropriate. And a very happy
birthday. Early birthday to
chairman I'd also like to
congratulate Colonel Roman are
swamped queen. There's no one
more deserving of a crown than
you. And if you were in
attendance, you all have to
know that she won by an
absolute landslide and not
only that, but there was a
line out the door of people
wanting to get photos with the
clean the entire night. is
very exciting. The swamp is
lucky to have you. And so are
we. A big congratulations to
Everglades coalition co-chair
as Kelli Cox and Mark Perry on
another outstanding conference
and a heartfelt thank you to
the Miccosukee tribe for their
generosity in hosting the
event. It was wonderful to see
so many of you there. I want
to echo my neighbor Bennell
since comments that were made
earlier today and extend my
appreciation to the district
to John Madden and the
modeling team for prioritizing
holding meetings with the
private landowners within the
West, Peter Basin, footprint
of work. If anyone can get
this right and ensure that all
stakeholders are heard, it's
this district. All of my hope
is in all of you. I'm hopeful
that you'll continue working
with us so that we can get
this right for all
stakeholders, private
landowners, the Miccosukee
tribe, the Seminole tribe. And
most importantly, the
environment. As a private land
owner. I can assure you that
we're showing up to ensure the
protection of the wildlife and
their home that we are lucky
enough to steward much more
than we're showing up for
ourselves. I look forward to
our next landowner meeting.
And on that note, then I'd
also like to channel my inner
Reba. Here's your one chance.
Fancy. Don't let me down
district. Please don't let us
down. Thank you so much. Thank
you. Miss Byrd Ron. We'll hear
next from Michelle are kept
Palermo. She just put her head
down. Mr. the midst Palermo
please unmute your mic.
>> Here we go. Sorry about
that. Good afternoon at 2 gas
in report I am sorry that I
was unable to be this morning
missed the See month we. Never
in my career when I imagined
that I would be working. It
leads and my mentors, we the
means blocking imports out
Iran. It was our pleasure to
around the Muslim mean. I just
want to say congratulations
from You are to and so
grateful that I got to know
you over the ports like we're
now seeing 100 kids. Thank
you, everyone. For all you do
every single day. in the words
about Iran, along with
>> Thank Marquette Palermo,
Mr. Chairman that concludes
General public comment.
>> Thanks. We'll move now to
board comment. start with Mr.
Butler.
>> One quick on the pup date
talks fdacs portion talks
about the bmp manuals. And
that's Rebecca. Projected
February 3rd, I think that
Mister Wess said they're out
right?
>> Okay. All right. And right
down to the small farm. Manual
is out. So. So that was good
cfx. Get those manuals The
updated map. Thanks, and happy
birthday, Thank
>> Goss. I hope you have a
great birthday you can
celebrate in style. Nothing
else. Thanks.
>> I want to embarrass of
thank you. progressed. Lo live
the Everglades.
>> right.
>> Well said Ms Meads you on.
>> I don't have anything else.
Cameron, thank you. All right.
>> Thanks for being hanging in
there with us. I look forward
to seeing you all in March and
April in those meetings will
be here and it looks like in
they were going down to