New study highlights benefits of Lake O reservoir

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FORT MYERS, Fla. A new study is music to the ears of Lee County residents negatively affected by flows from Lake Okeechobee over the last few years.

The study, published by Clemson University, revealed the Everglades Agricultural Area reservoir would reduce potentially harmful discharges by directing the water toward the Everglades, improving both water quality and the quality of life for many counties in South Florida.

“I have longtime clients that have moved here, bought homes here and cancelled their trips [and] vacations; some have even sold their homes,” said David Schuldenfrei, former president of the Sanibel-Captiva Association of Realtors.

Water flow from the lake was blamed for environmental issues downstream and around the mouth of the Caloosahatchee River in Lee County.

“Last year was terrible,” Schuldenfrei said. “This year, in January, rentals were off close to 30 percent due to the previous January.”

The EAA Reservoir will also create jobs for 39,000 Floridians and, once complete, is estimated to add $19 billion in real estate vales to Lee and Martin counties alone, the study said.

While many believe the reservoir may improve real estate and tourism, the Florida Sugarcane Farmers disagree.

The organization believes the plan is disastrous and contends the reservoir won’t have any real impact, adding that 2016 was a record year for tourism, according to an email sent to WINK News.

The reservoir is estimated to cost nearly $2.5 billion.

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