Agenda 09/10/2019 Item #10A (Appointment to LOSOM Project)09/10/2019
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Appointment of member to represent Collier County on the Lake Okeechobee System
Operating Manual (LOSOM) Project Delivery Team
District has initiated development of a new Lake Okeechobee System Operating Manual
(LOSOM). As a part of t his effort, the District has established an interagency Project Delivery
Team (PDT) to assist with the development of the new LOSOM.
The District has invited Collier County to designate a representative to be a member and our
point of contact for this PDT. The PDT members include only the Federal officials and elected
officers of State, local or tribal governments or their designated employees with authority to act
on our behalf. Our representative will participate in the development of the LOSOM to ensure
that our agency’s input, comments, and concerns are included and addressed. Participation as a
PDT member will support the LOSOM planning efforts and is separate from a previous request
to be a cooperating agency under National Environmental Policy Act.
The first PDT meeting was held on August 20, 2019, 9:30 a.m. at the John Boy Auditorium
located at 1200 WC Owen Avenue, Clewiston, FL 33440. Gerald Kurtz, Principal Project
Manager of the Capital Project Planning Division attended the organization meeting.
Additional public workshops and meetings will be held in the future.
FISCAL IMPACT:
LEGAL CONSIDERATIONS: This item has been reviewed by the County Attorney, raises no
legal issues, and requires majority vote for action. -JAK
GROWTH MANAGEMENT IMPACT: None
RECOMMENDATION: That the Board of County Commissioners appoint a representative to
the interagency Project Delivery Team.
PREPARED BY: William L. McDaniel, Chairman
AGENDA DATE: September 10, 2019
ATTACHMENT(S)
1. LOSOM 7-29-19 letter from Timothy Gysan Dept of Army re Okeechobee (PDF)
2. LOSOM 8.28.19 notes from Jerry Kurtz (PDF)
3. LOSOM PDT Meeting 20 AUG_v4 (PDF)
4. LOSOM POOCs v5 20AUG19 (DOCX)
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09/10/2019
COLLIER COUNTY
Board of County Commissioners
Item Number: 10.A
Doc ID: 9996
Item Summary: Appointment of member to represent Collier County on the Lake Okeechobee
System Operating Manual (LOSOM) Project Delivery Team
Meeting Date: 09/10/2019
Prepared by:
Title: Manager - Technical Systems Operations – Administrative Services Department
Name: Michael Cox
08/29/2019 1:13 PM
Submitted by:
Title: – Board of County Commissioners
Name: Bill McDaniel
08/29/2019 1:13 PM
Approved By:
Review:
Growth Management Department Jeanne Marcella Level 1 Reviewer Completed 08/29/2019 2:29 PM
Growth Management Department Jeanne Marcella Department Head Review Completed 08/29/2019 2:29 PM
Growth Management Department James C French Deputy Department Head Review Completed 08/29/2019 3:07 PM
Office of Management and Budget Valerie Fleming Level 3 OMB Gatekeeper Review Completed 08/29/2019 3:12 PM
County Attorney's Office Jeffrey A. Klatzkow Level 3 County Attorney's Office Review Completed 08/29/2019 3:48 PM
Budget and Management Office Mark Isackson Additional Reviewer Completed 08/30/2019 11:35 AM
County Manager's Office Leo E. Ochs Level 4 County Manager Review Completed 08/30/2019 2:13 PM
Board of County Commissioners MaryJo Brock Meeting Pending 09/10/2019 9:00 AM
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10.A.a
Packet Pg. 65 Attachment: LOSOM 7-29-19 letter from Timothy Gysan Dept of Army re Okeechobee (9996 : Lake Okeechobee - appointment to LOSOM)
Sue
Re:
US ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS LAKE OKEECHOBEE SYSTEM OPERATING MANUAL MEETING,
CLEWISTON FLORIDA HELD ON AUGUST 20, 2019, 9:30 AM – 2:30 PM COLLIER COUNTY WAS
REPRESENTED BY JERRY KURTZ, STORMWATER PRINCIPAL PROJECT MANAGER
Attached is the meeting presentation and a Word document containing the planning objectives,
constraints and considerations also shown in the presentation.
The meeting was facilitated by Tim Gysan, P.E., Senior Project Manager, USCOE, along with five other
Corps Staff.
The purpose of the meeting was to begin establishment of a Project Development Team (PDT) to assist
with the CORPS development of a new Lake Okeechobee System .Operating Manual (LOSOM).
Over sixty (60) people were invited from federal agencies, elected officers of the State, local or tribal
governments or their designees to join the PDT. The general public was also invited to comment and
participate in the process. Approximately 100 people were in attendance.
Jerry Kurtz, P.E.
Principal Project Manager
Growth Management Department
Capital Project Planning, Impact Fees & Program Management Division
Email: gerald.kurtz@colliercountyfl.gov
Office phone: 239-252-5860
Cell phone 239-285-8239
Mailing Address: 2665 South Horseshoe Drive, Suite 103, Naples FL 34104
10.A.b
Packet Pg. 66 Attachment: LOSOM 8.28.19 notes from Jerry Kurtz (9996 : Lake Okeechobee - appointment to LOSOM)
LAKE OKEECHOBEE SYSTEM
OPERATING MANUAL (LOSOM)
PROJECT DELIVERY TEAM (PDT)
MEETING
August 20, 2019
Clewiston, FL
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Jacksonville District
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Packet Pg. 67 Attachment: LOSOM PDT Meeting 20 AUG_v4 (9996 : Lake Okeechobee - appointment to
2AGENDA
Morning Session
1.Introduction 9:30 AM –9:45 AM
2.LOSOM Process and Planning Framework 9:45 AM –10:45 AM
3.Break 10:45 AM –11 :00 AM
4.PDT Feedback 11 :00 AM –11 :30 AM
5.Public Comment Period 11 :30 AM –12:00 PM
Lunch
1.Lunch Break 12:00 PM –1:00 PM
Afternoon Session
1.Common Scoping Comments 1:00 PM –1:30 PM
2.Planning Horizon and Performance Evaluation 1:30 PM –2:00 PM
3.Break 2:00 PM –2:15 PM
4.PDT Feedback 2:15 PM –3:30 PM
5.Public Comment Period 3:30 PM –4:15 PM
6.Closing Remarks 4:15 PM –4:30 PM
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Packet Pg. 68 Attachment: LOSOM PDT Meeting 20 AUG_v4 (9996 : Lake Okeechobee - appointment to
3FACA OVERVIEW
Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA) enacted in 1972 to ensure no
outside group becomes the preferred source for advice for a federal
agency.
•FACA provides specific requirements to form an advisory committee,
which may include members of non-government organizations and the
public (F.A.C.A pub. L No. 93-502, 88 Stat. 1561).
•Meetings held between federal official and elected state, local, and
tribal officers or their designated employees are exempt from these
requirements (2 U.S.C.A. 1534(b)).
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Packet Pg. 69 Attachment: LOSOM PDT Meeting 20 AUG_v4 (9996 : Lake Okeechobee - appointment to
4FACA OVERVIEW
To avoid violations under FACA rules and meet the statutory exemption,
the Corps will run LOSOM meetings under the following USACE
guidance:
•The Project Delivery Team (PDT) will be created made up of federal,
state, local, and tribal government officials
•The PDT will be physically distinct at meetings from public attendees,
generally by seating
•Attendance sheets will be kept for all meetings
•Public comment periods will be at specifically designated times and not
as question and answer with the PDT
•Please sign-in at the front table
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Packet Pg. 70 Attachment: LOSOM PDT Meeting 20 AUG_v4 (9996 : Lake Okeechobee - appointment to
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PROJECT DELIVERY TEAM
PDT members include only the federal officials and elected officers of
state, local, and tribal governments (or their designated representatives
with authority to act on their behalf) acting in their official capacities.
The PDT is not an advisory committee or decision making body
Any recommendations or decisions to be made during LOSOM will
be through the USACE organizational chain of command.
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Packet Pg. 71 Attachment: LOSOM PDT Meeting 20 AUG_v4 (9996 : Lake Okeechobee - appointment to
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PROJECT DELIVERY TEAM
The PDT utilizes technical skills and knowledge to support the Corps
operational planning and NEPA effort through:
•Information and fact finding
•Development of performance evaluation criteria
•Identification of alternatives
•Evaluation and comparison of alternatives
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Packet Pg. 72 Attachment: LOSOM PDT Meeting 20 AUG_v4 (9996 : Lake Okeechobee - appointment to
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•Sent out 60+ invites to include:
•Federal agencies
•State agencies
•Local governments
•Tribes
•Encourage all Federal, State and Local governments to be a
part
PDT MEMBERS 10.A.c
Packet Pg. 73 Attachment: LOSOM PDT Meeting 20 AUG_v4 (9996 : Lake Okeechobee - appointment to
8NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL
POLICY ACT
The National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (N.E.P.A. pub. L No. 91-190, 83 Stat.
852) was enacted to require federal agencies to evaluate environmental effects of
their actions.
Federal agencies prepare detailed assessments addressing the potential effects
related to a major federal action:
•Environmental Assessment (EA)
•Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)
Federal agencies must consider both environmental and socio-economic
consequences before making final decisions.
Cooperating agencies are used to assist in these evaluations.
The Corps is the lead federal agency and has the final decision on the
contents of the NEPA assessment.
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Packet Pg. 74 Attachment: LOSOM PDT Meeting 20 AUG_v4 (9996 : Lake Okeechobee - appointment to
9NEPA REQUIREMENTS
NEPA analysis evaluates a proposed action using 10 significant factors to
measure the intensity of potential impacts on the surrounding environment
(context of action):
•Adverse effects associated with
“Beneficial Projects”
•Effects on public health
and safety
•Unique characteristics of the
geographical area
•Degree of controversy
•Degree of uncertain effects, unique or
unknown risks
•Precedent-setting effects
•Cumulative effects
•Effects on scientific, cultural or
historical resources
•Effects on endangered or threatened
species, habitat
•Violations of Federal, state
or local environmental law
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Packet Pg. 75 Attachment: LOSOM PDT Meeting 20 AUG_v4 (9996 : Lake Okeechobee - appointment to
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1.National Park Service (NPS) –Everglades National Park
2.National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS)
3.South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD)
4.Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS)
5.Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP)
6.Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FFWCC)
7.Florida Department of Health (FDOH)
8.Seminole Tribe of Florida
COOPERATING AGENCIES 10.A.c
Packet Pg. 76 Attachment: LOSOM PDT Meeting 20 AUG_v4 (9996 : Lake Okeechobee - appointment to
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Scoping
Period
Educational
Webinars
Develop Purpose &
Need, Study
Objectives, Constraints
and Considerations
Develop Performance
Metrics & High Level
Scenarios
Develop
Operational
Alternatives
Evaluate and
Compare
Alternatives
Select
Operational
Alternatives
Draft NEPA
Document
Final NEPA
Document
Decision/Approval
LOSOM NEPA Process and Engagement Opportunities
10 Public Meetings
(Feb -Mar 2019)
> 8,000 comments received
Public Comment Period
(Spring 2022)
Public Comment Period
(Fall 2022)
lakeocomments@usace.army.mil
www.saj.usace.army.mil/LOSOM PDT Meetings & Public WorkshopsPDT Meetings & Public Workshops
(2020 –2021)
WE ARE HERE
STARTCOMPLETION 10.A.c
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ANY QUESTIONS ON
ROLE/PARTICIPATION AS
A PDT MEMBER?
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Packet Pg. 78 Attachment: LOSOM PDT Meeting 20 AUG_v4 (9996 : Lake Okeechobee - appointment to
13WHAT’S BEEN HAPPENING?
Scoping Period
(Feb –April 2019)
Review of Scoping Comments and Development of Draft Planning Framework
(June –July 2019)
Tribal Coordination
(Ongoing)
Cooperating Agency Coordination Kickoff Meeting
(9 Aug 2019)
Preparing for First PDT Meeting
(20 Aug 2019)
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Packet Pg. 79 Attachment: LOSOM PDT Meeting 20 AUG_v4 (9996 : Lake Okeechobee - appointment to
14LOSOM SCOPING MEETING SUMMARY
EAST COAST COMMUNITIES
Time = Accelerate LOSOM
Lake Level = Higher &
lower
Focus = Human health;
water supply; water quality;
algae; economy
SOUTH FLORIDA
Time = Take time; sound science, not
politics, drive schedule
Lake Level = Higher
Focus = Improve flow to Everglades
& Florida Bay; water supply; water
quality
COMMUNITIES AROUND LAKE O
Time = Take time; sound science;
not politics, drive schedule
Lake Level = Higher
Focus = Water quality;
agriculture; water supply;
recreation; Lake healthWEST COAST
COMMUNITIES
Time = Accelerate LOSOM
Lake Level = Lower; move
water south
Focus = Human health;
ecosystem health; algae
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Packet Pg. 80 Attachment: LOSOM PDT Meeting 20 AUG_v4 (9996 : Lake Okeechobee - appointment to
15SUMMARY OF SCOPING COMMENTS
Over 8,000
Comments
Received
Chambers of
Commerce
Environmental
Organizations
NGOs
Counties
Tribes
Senate State
Agencies
US CongressFederal
Agencies
Cities
Water
Management
Districts
Fishing
Interests
Realtors
Agricultural
Interests
Private
Businesses
Recreation
Interests
Private
Citizens
Utilities
Tourism Industry
Medical
Community
Health & Safety Concerns
(Dam Safety, Water Quality, HABs*)
Stop Discharges to the East
Savings Clause
(Do include/don’t Include)
Move More Water South
Broaden Scope of Study
(Upper Kissimmee, entire SFWMD Watershed, Florida Bay, infrastructure)
Study Schedule
(Hurry Up/Slow down)
Lake Levels
(Higher, Lower, within Ecological Bands)
Municipalities
Baseline (LORS08, WSE)
Consider Health of the Lake, Estuaries, Everglades National Park, & Florida Bay
Use Science based Solutions
Increase Dry Season Flow South
Do Not Lower Lake to 10.5 feet
Consider Impacts to Tourism, Economies, Water Supply, Flood Control, Recreation, Water Quality, etc.
* HABs: Harmful Algal Blooms
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Packet Pg. 81 Attachment: LOSOM PDT Meeting 20 AUG_v4 (9996 : Lake Okeechobee - appointment to
16STUDY AREA
•Entire C&SF watershed area
from Orlando down to and
through Florida Bay and the
Keys.
•Study area defines the limits of
the NEPA effects analysis; it
does not indicate the areas
where LOSOM will look at
making operational changes
•The project area is the location
where the federal action takes
place; for LOSOM this is Lake
Okeechobee
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Packet Pg. 82 Attachment: LOSOM PDT Meeting 20 AUG_v4 (9996 : Lake Okeechobee - appointment to
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•Existing Condition = current condition including infrastructure and
operating schedules.
•No Action Alternative = “future without federal action” (FWO)
alternative that describes the condition in the future without additional
federal action including additional infrastructure.
•The FWO becomes the condition to which all other alternatives
(future regulation schedules) are compared and evaluated.
•LORS 2008 is the regulation schedule for the Existing
Condition & Future Without Federal Action.
NEPA PLANNING CONDITIONS 10.A.c
Packet Pg. 83 Attachment: LOSOM PDT Meeting 20 AUG_v4 (9996 : Lake Okeechobee - appointment to
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Develop a new Lake Okeechobee regulation schedule that better
balances the project’s authorized purposes and is mutually beneficial for
all stakeholders. The new lake regulation schedule will take advantage
of the HHD rehabilitation and new infrastructure to:
•Better balance Congressionally authorized project purposes
DRAFT OBJECTIVES
Flood
Control
Water
Supply Navigation Preservation
of Fish
& Wildlife
Recreation
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Packet Pg. 84 Attachment: LOSOM PDT Meeting 20 AUG_v4 (9996 : Lake Okeechobee - appointment to
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•Improve the lake’s ecology and natural resources while maintaining
the structural and operational integrity of the project
•Minimize high regulatory releases to the St. Lucie and
Caloosahatchee estuaries to the extent practicable
•Improve dry season flows to the Caloosahatchee Estuary and the
Everglades to enhance the environment and natural resources
•Improve water supply performance
•Avoid risk to public health and safety as it relates to flood control,
water supply and harmful algal blooms
DRAFT OBJECTIVES 10.A.c
Packet Pg. 85 Attachment: LOSOM PDT Meeting 20 AUG_v4 (9996 : Lake Okeechobee - appointment to
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•Herbert Hoover Dike (Dam Safety Risk)
•Design and operational capacity of major outlets and their downstream
canals and the Okeechobee Waterway (OWW)
•However, no new infrastructure will be authorized by LOSOM
•Tribal Water Compact
•Meet applicable water quality standards
•Endangered Species Act (ESA) consultation terms and conditions
DRAFT CONSTRAINTS 10.A.c
Packet Pg. 86 Attachment: LOSOM PDT Meeting 20 AUG_v4 (9996 : Lake Okeechobee - appointment to
21DRAFT CONSIDERATIONS:
WATER SUPPLY
•Agricultural needs
•Everglades National Park
•Municipal and Industrial needs
•Saltwater Intrusion
•Stormwater Treatment Areas
•Tribal Entitlements
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Packet Pg. 87 Attachment: LOSOM PDT Meeting 20 AUG_v4 (9996 : Lake Okeechobee - appointment to
22DRAFT CONSIDERATIONS:
ECOSYSTEMS
•Lake Okeechobee
•St. Lucie Estuary
•Caloosahatchee River and Estuary
•Greater Everglades system
•Lake Worth Lagoon
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Packet Pg. 88 Attachment: LOSOM PDT Meeting 20 AUG_v4 (9996 : Lake Okeechobee - appointment to
23DRAFT CONSIDERATIONS:
WATER QUALITY
•Inflows to Lake Okeechobee
•Within Lake Okeechobee
•St. Lucie Canal
•Caloosahatchee River
•Associated waterways to include HABs
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Packet Pg. 89 Attachment: LOSOM PDT Meeting 20 AUG_v4 (9996 : Lake Okeechobee - appointment to
24OTHER DRAFT CONSIDERATIONS
•Economic impacts across the system
•Recreation impacts within the system
•Navigation impacts along the Okeechobee Waterway (OWW) and
within Lake Okeechobee
•Downstream available storage, future storage and capacity of:
•Water Conservation Areas (WCAs)
•Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs)
•Reservoirs
•Downstream effects to public and private property along the OWW
and the communities south of Lake Okeechobee
•Climate Change
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Packet Pg. 90 Attachment: LOSOM PDT Meeting 20 AUG_v4 (9996 : Lake Okeechobee - appointment to
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PDT DISCUSSION:
QUESTIONS ON NEPA PROCESS OR
PLANNING PROCESS?
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Packet Pg. 91 Attachment: LOSOM PDT Meeting 20 AUG_v4 (9996 : Lake Okeechobee - appointment to
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PUBLIC COMMENTS
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Packet Pg. 92 Attachment: LOSOM PDT Meeting 20 AUG_v4 (9996 : Lake Okeechobee - appointment to
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LUNCH
12:00 TO 1:00
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Packet Pg. 93 Attachment: LOSOM PDT Meeting 20 AUG_v4 (9996 : Lake Okeechobee - appointment to
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SCOPING COMMENTS
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Packet Pg. 94 Attachment: LOSOM PDT Meeting 20 AUG_v4 (9996 : Lake Okeechobee - appointment to
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•Schedule
•Take your time, use science, not politics
•Human Health (Dam safety vs. HABs)
•Ecological health (Lake, estuaries and everglades)
•Stop releases to St. Lucie estuary
•Water quality and HAB consideration
•Send more water south
•Health impacts of lake water used on crops
•Guarantee the water supply 1-in-10 year drought level of
service
COMMON SCOPING COMMENTS
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Packet Pg. 95 Attachment: LOSOM PDT Meeting 20 AUG_v4 (9996 : Lake Okeechobee - appointment to
30LOSOM INCREMENTS
Implementation of
Increment 1
Implement Future
Schedules
Implementation
of Increment 2 LORS 2008LOSOM NEPA
Process
(Increment 1 & 2)
2021 20252023 ???2019
Requires New
NEPA Analysis
Completion of HHD, C-44,
Kissimmee River Restoration
Completion of C-43, Restoration
Strategies, CEPP South
Completion of EAA
Reservoir, LOWRP, IRL
C-23/C-24, LRWRP
5 to 10 Year Period of Analysis
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Packet Pg. 96 Attachment: LOSOM PDT Meeting 20 AUG_v4 (9996 : Lake Okeechobee - appointment to
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PERFORMANCE EVALUATIONS
DISCUSSION
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Packet Pg. 97 Attachment: LOSOM PDT Meeting 20 AUG_v4 (9996 : Lake Okeechobee - appointment to
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•Economic Impacts
•Endangered Species
•Flood Risk Management
•Navigation
•Public Health
•Recreation
•Salt Water Intrusion
•System Wide Ecology
•Water Supply
•Water Quality
Goal: Finalize
Performance
Measures (PMs) by
December 2019
DRAFT PERFORMANCE EVALUATIONS 10.A.c
Packet Pg. 98 Attachment: LOSOM PDT Meeting 20 AUG_v4 (9996 : Lake Okeechobee - appointment to
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PROJECTS WITH CANDIDATE PMs
•RECOVER
•Lake Okeechobee Regulation Schedule (LORS 2008)
•Herbert Hoover Dike (HHD) Dam Safety Modification
Report (DSMR)
•Lake Okeechobee Watershed Restoration Project
•Restoration Strategies
•Everglades Agricultural Area (EAA) Reservoir
•Combined Operational Plan (COP)
•SFWMD Lower East Coast Water Supply Plan
•Central Everglades Planning Project (CEPP)
•Loxahatchee River Watershed Restoration
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Packet Pg. 99 Attachment: LOSOM PDT Meeting 20 AUG_v4 (9996 : Lake Okeechobee - appointment to
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LORS
2008
HHD
Rehabilitation
EAA
Reservoir
LOWRP
Loxahatchee
Restoration
Project
WCA 1
WCA 2A CEPP
PROJECT LOCATIONS 10.A.c
Packet Pg. 100 Attachment: LOSOM PDT Meeting 20 AUG_v4 (9996 : Lake Okeechobee - appointment to
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SUB-TEAM LEAD INTRODUCTIONS
Sub-Team USACE Sub-Team
Lead
Economics Colin Rawls
Environmental Ann Hodgson
Modeling Jessica Mallett
Plan Formulation Marci Jackson
Water Quality/ HABs Jim Riley
Water Supply Jessica Mallett
Other Disciplines USACE Lead
Water Management Savannah Lacy
Cultural Resources Chris Altes
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Packet Pg. 101 Attachment: LOSOM PDT Meeting 20 AUG_v4 (9996 : Lake Okeechobee - appointment to
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PDT COMMENTS ON
PERFORMANCE EVALUATIONS
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Packet Pg. 102 Attachment: LOSOM PDT Meeting 20 AUG_v4 (9996 : Lake Okeechobee - appointment to
37LOSOM SCHEDULE
Milestones Date
1 -Scoping Meetings (complete)February/March 2019
2 –Initial Increment I Array of Alternatives &
Performance Metrics Finalized February 2020
3 -Alternative Evaluation Increment I, Increment
II February 2020 –April 2021
4 -Draft Report January 2022
5 -Final Report September 2022
OCT 2018
SCOPING ALTERNATIVE
EVALUATION DECISION PMP
OCT 2022
1 5432
FORMULATION
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Packet Pg. 103 Attachment: LOSOM PDT Meeting 20 AUG_v4 (9996 : Lake Okeechobee - appointment to
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Aug 2019
You are Here
•Kickoff Meetings for PDT, Sub-Teams, & Cooperating Agencies
•Defining Objectives, Constraints, & Considerations
•Begin Developing Performance Measures (PMs)
Sep
2019
•Public Workshops (September 16 & 17)
•PDT Meeting (September 26)
•Develop Preliminary Screening Methods, Tools and Metrics
Oct
2019
•PDT Meeting (October 24th)
•Results from Initial Screening Scenarios
•Discuss Modeling Strategy & Formulation Framework
•Continue to Define PM
6-Month Target
Final Array of
Increment 1
Alternatives by
February 2020
LOSOM 3-MONTH LOOK AHEAD 10.A.c
Packet Pg. 104 Attachment: LOSOM PDT Meeting 20 AUG_v4 (9996 : Lake Okeechobee - appointment to
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Aug
2019
PDT Meeting
(August 20 Clewiston)
Cooperating Agency
(August 9)
Sep
2019
Public Workshops
(September 16-17 Cape Coral & Stuart)
PDT Meeting
(September 26 web meeting)
Oct
2019
PDT Meeting
(October 24 Dade County)
Nov 2019 PDT Meeting
(November 21 Okeechobee)
Dec 2019 PDT Meeting
(December 19 web meeting)
Jan 2020 PDT Meeting
(January 23 West Palm Beach)
Feb 2020 PDT Meeting
(February 20 web meeting)
6-Month Target
Final Array of Increment 1
Alternatives February 2020
HIGH LEVEL LOOK AHEAD 10.A.c
Packet Pg. 105 Attachment: LOSOM PDT Meeting 20 AUG_v4 (9996 : Lake Okeechobee - appointment to
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PDT COMMENTS ON SCHEDULE
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Packet Pg. 106 Attachment: LOSOM PDT Meeting 20 AUG_v4 (9996 : Lake Okeechobee - appointment to
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PUBLIC COMMENTS
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Packet Pg. 107 Attachment: LOSOM PDT Meeting 20 AUG_v4 (9996 : Lake Okeechobee - appointment to
PURPOSE AND NEED (PROBLEM)
PURPOSE:
The purpose of this Federal action is to develop a new regulation schedule for Lake Okeechobee that
accounts for the completion of the Herbert Hoover Dike (HHD) rehabilitation and new infrastructure
near the Okeechobee Waterway (to include C43 and C44 Reservoirs) expected to be operational in the
near future.
NEED:
In order to integrate new infrastructure into the water management system and maximize the flexibility
of overall system operations, a new regulation schedule for Lake Okeechobee will be developed to
balance project purposes of flood control, water supply, navigation, recreation and preservation of fish
and wildlife resources. The current regulation schedule for Lake Okeechobee, LORS 2008, was
implemented to reduce dam safety risk during rehabilitation of Herbert Hoover Dike (HHD). Upon
completion of the HHD Rehabilitation in 2022, a new lake regulation schedule will be implemented that
considers the post rehabilitation dam safety risk in addition to other project purposes. In addition to the
completion of HHD, several CERP projects currently under construction are expected to be complete and
operational in this same time period. The Lake Okeechobee System Operating Manual (LOSOM) effort
will result in a new lake regulation schedule that takes into account operational CERP projects.
OBJECTIVES
The study objective is to develop a new Lake Okeechobee regulation schedule that better balances the
project’s authorized purposes and is mutually beneficial for all stakeholders. The new lake regulation
schedule will take advantage of the HHD rehabilitation and new infrastructure to:
• Better balance Congressionally authorized project purposes, including flood control, water
supply, navigation, preservation of fish and wildlife, and recreation
• Improve the lake’s ecology and natural resources while maintaining the structural and
operational integrity of the project
• Minimize high regulatory releases to the St. Lucie and Caloosahatchee estuaries to the extent
practicable
• Improve dry season flows to the Caloosahatchee Estuary and the Everglades to enhance the
environment and natural resources
• Improve water supply performance
• Avoid risk to public health and safety as it relates to flood control, water supply and harmful
algal blooms
CONSTRAINTS
• Herbert Hoover Dike (Dam safety risk)
• Design and operational capacity of major outlets and their downstream canals (S-77, S-308, S-
351, S-352, and S-354) and the Okeechobee Waterway (OWW) (S-78, S-79, and S-80)
o No new infrastructure will be authorized by LOSOM
• State and federal water quality standards and permits
10.A.d
Packet Pg. 108 Attachment: LOSOM POOCs v5 20AUG19 (9996 : Lake Okeechobee - appointment to LOSOM)
• Endangered Species Act (ESA) consultation terms and conditions
• Tribal Water Compact
CONSIDERATIONS
• Water Supply for
o Agricultural needs
o Everglades National Park
o Municipal and industrial needs
o Preventing salinity intrusion into groundwater along the East Coast
o Stormwater Treatment Areas
o Tribal entitlements
• Effects on the ecosystems of
o Lake Okeechobee
o The St. Lucie Estuary
o The Caloosahatchee River and Estuary
o The Greater Everglades system
o Lake Worth Lagoon
• Water quality in and coming into Lake Okeechobee, the St. Lucie Canal, the Caloosahatchee
River and associated waterways to include HABs
• Economic impacts across the system
• Recreation impacts along the OWW, within Lake Okeechobee, and the estuaries
• Navigation impacts along the OWW and within Lake Okeechobee
• Downstream available and future storage and capacity to take water
o Water Conservation Areas (WCAs)
o Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs)
o Reservoirs
• Downstream effects to public and private property along the OWW and the communities south
of Lake Okeechobee
• Climate Change
10.A.d
Packet Pg. 109 Attachment: LOSOM POOCs v5 20AUG19 (9996 : Lake Okeechobee - appointment to LOSOM)