Army Corps takes public input on Lake Okeechobee releases

Reporter: Gina Tomlinson
Published: Updated:
An abundance of blue-green algae. Photo via WINK News.
An abundance of blue-green algae. (Credit: WINK News)

Marvin Postema is far from the only one angry with the Army Corps of Engineers after dealing with the nasty and smelly algae that ended up in his Cape Coral canal last summer.

”Didn’t hardly want to come out on even the lanai because it smelled so bad,” Postema said.

Bill Steinke, a local realtor, did not want the green gunk to hurt his business again.

“Obviously water quality is a primary component of why people move here,” Steinke said.

Steinke and others with concerns for the future of our water quality filled seats at a meeting in Cape Coral Tuesday. The main topic of discussion at the meeting focuses on what is being done to get better water quality.

Jennifer Reynolds, lieutenant colonel of the Army Corps, lead the string of speakers.

“I can’t control the amount of rain nor when it falls,” Reynolds said.

But, Reynolds said what her team is doing differently this year will help. Public input is being considered in revising the scheduled of the Lake Okeechobee releases.

“As government, and elected officials we want to make sure that we do everything in our power to eliminate either the red tide or the blue-green algae,” said Joe Coviello, the mayor Cape Coral.

A newly appointed member of the South Florida Water Management District also spoke about his goals to make our water better.

“Make sure we get the new EAA reservoir down south,” said Chauncey Goss, a member of the SFWMD. “Make sure we get the C43 reservoir, which is right on the Hendry County line. Make sure those are built and those are built quickly.”

“I think that anyone that’s concerned about the livelihood that our residents can enjoy here is or should be here,” Steinke said.

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