Agenda 09/14/2021 Item #10B (Lake Okeechobee System Operating Manual)09/14/2021
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Request that the Board discuss the proposed Lake Okeechobee System Operating Manual being
developed by the Army Corp of Engineers, and approve a letter supporting Sanibel Captiva
Conservation Foundation/Lee County’s position.
OBJECTIVE: To discuss the proposed Lake Okeechobee System Operating Manual being developed by
the Army Corp of Engineers, and approve a letter supporting Sanibel Captiva Conservation
Foundation/Lee County’s position.
CONSIDERATIONS: As background, every 7-10 years, the Army Corp of Engineers reviews the
water-release schedule for Lake Okeechobee. This review includes determining how high to allow the
water in the Lake to rise and the volume of subsequent releases into the Caloosahatchee and St. Lucie
Rivers. The LOSOM effort (Lake Okeechobee System Operating Manual) will be completed in October
2021 and the report finalized then.
Stakeholder groups included St. Lucie County, the Everglades Foundation, the lakeside communities,
Glades County, Hendry County, and US Sugar. Different proposed schedules were submitted for the
Lake. Two years of discussions between the Stakeholder groups and the Army Corp of Engineers
culminated in the selection of what is known as the “cc” plan which directs all the Lake’s water down the
Caloosahatchee River with no water being directed to the St. Lucie River.
Two scientists from the Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation, James Evans, Environmental Policy
Director, and Paul Julian, PhD, Hydrologic Modeler, will present at the Board meeting via Zoom.
My goal is to have a letter sent to the Army Corp supporting Sanibel Captiva Conservation
Foundation/Lee County’s position, which position will be articulated by the presenters. Similar letters of
support from Lee County and Charlotte County are attached for reference, as well as a draft letter for
Collier County.
FISCAL IMPACT: None at this time.
GROWTH MANAGEMENT IMPACT: None.
LEGAL CONSIDERATIONS: This item has been reviewed by the County Attorney, raises no legal
issues at this time and requires majority vote for Board action. - JAK
RECOMMENDATION: For the Board to discuss the proposed Lake Okeechobee System Operating
Manual being developed by the Army Corp of Engineers, and approve a letter supporting Sanibel Captiva
Conservation Foundation/Lee County’s position.
Prepared by: Penny Taylor, Commissioner, District 4
ATTACHMENT(S)
1. Okeechobee backup (PDF)
10.B
Packet Pg. 226
09/14/2021
COLLIER COUNTY
Board of County Commissioners
Item Number: 10.B
Doc ID: 20026
Item Summary: *** This Item to be heard no sooner than 1:00 p.m. *** Request that the Board
discuss the proposed Lake Okeechobee System Operating Manual being developed by the Army Corp of
Engineers, and approve a letter supporting Sanibel Captiva Conservation Foundation/Lee County’s
position. (Commissioner Taylor's Request)
Meeting Date: 09/14/2021
Prepared by:
Title: Sr. Operations Analyst – County Manager's Office
Name: Geoffrey Willig
09/08/2021 4:25 PM
Submitted by:
Title: Division Director - IF, CPP & PM – County Manager's Office
Name: Amy Patterson
09/08/2021 4:25 PM
Approved By:
Review:
Office of Management and Budget Geoffrey Willig Level 3 OMB Gatekeeper Review Skipped 09/08/2021 10:58 AM
County Attorney's Office Jeffrey A. Klatzkow Level 3 County Attorney's Office Review Completed 09/08/2021 4:26 PM
County Manager's Office Amy Patterson Level 4 County Manager Review Completed 09/08/2021 5:11 PM
Board of County Commissioners Geoffrey Willig Meeting Pending 09/14/2021 9:00 AM
10.B
Packet Pg. 227
10.B.aPacket Pg. 228Attachment: Okeechobee backup (20026 : LOSOM)
10.B.aPacket Pg. 229Attachment: Okeechobee backup (20026 : LOSOM)
10.B.aPacket Pg. 230Attachment: Okeechobee backup (20026 : LOSOM)
10.B.aPacket Pg. 231Attachment: Okeechobee backup (20026 : LOSOM)
10.B.aPacket Pg. 232Attachment: Okeechobee backup (20026 : LOSOM)
10.B.aPacket Pg. 233Attachment: Okeechobee backup (20026 : LOSOM)
10.B.aPacket Pg. 234Attachment: Okeechobee backup (20026 : LOSOM)