07/09/2013AP - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

ATTACHMENT 1 . - St. River .. Water Management District Hans G.Tanzler III,Executive Director 4049 Reid Street - P.O.Box 1429 a Palatka, FL 32178-1429 • (386)329-4500 On the Internet at floridaswater,com. January 22, 2013 RECEIVED The Honorable Peter D. O'Bryan, Indian River County Commissioner ,JAN 2 3 2013 Chair of the Treasure Coast Council of Local Governments 1801 27rh Street BOARll OF COUNTY Vero Beach, FL 32960 COMMISSION Dear Commissioner O'Bryan: Governor Rick Scott's office forwarded me your December 10, 2012, letter and asked that I respond directly to you. Governor Scott,the Florida Department of Environniental Protection (DEP), St. Johns River Water Management District (SJRWMD) and South Florida Water Management District(SFWMD) share the Treasure Coast Council of Governments' concerns regarding the loss of seagrasses within the Indian River Lagoon. Please see the enclosed summary of recent events and the ongoing work to understand and respond to this issue that the Indian River Lagoon National Estuary Program prepared. In addition to the information provided in the enclosure, several presentations further describing the lagoon's seagrass losses and the cooperative work underway investigating these impacts will be given by SJRWMD and SFWMD scientists during the Indian River Lagoon Symposium on February 7 and 8 at the FAU Harbor Branch Johnson Education Center. Members of the Treasure Coast Council of Local Governments are encouraged to attend the symposium to learn more about these issues and what the lagoon community can do to help protect and conserve the lagoon's resources. While not connected to the seagrass loss witnessed in the estuary ninth of Fort Pierce inlet,state agencies, SJRWMD, SFWMD and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers recognize the negative innpacts on the water quality and biota of the St. Lucie and Indian River Lagoon from Lake Okeechobee discharges in combination with the contributory watershed discharges. Information on efforts to reduce the severity and frequency of lake releases to the coastal estuaries is provided in the enclosure. I hope this information helps to address the concerns of the Treasure Coast Council of Local Governments. SJRWMD, SFWMD and DEP are working in conjunction with the lagoon's many stakeholders to protect and restore the natural resources and water quality of this important estuary. Sincerely., i Hans G. Tanzler III Executi e Director Enclosure GOVERNING BOARD Lad Daniels,CHAIRMAN John A.Miklos,VICE CHAIRMAN Douglas C.Bournique,SECRETARY Maryam H.Ghyabl,TREASURER JACKSONVILLE ORLANDO VERO BEACH ORMOND BEACH Chuck Drake Richard G.Hamann George W.Robbins Fred N.Roberts,Jr. W.Leonard Wood ORLANDO GAINESVILLE JACKSONVILLE OCALA FERNANDINA BEACH B6 -A -7