Jenna Buzzacco-Foerster
Rep. Heather Fitzenhagen is calling on Gov. Rick Scott to do what he can to stop the releases from Lake Okeechobee into the Caloosahatchee River.
“On behalf of Southwest Floridians, I am requesting a study of the fiscal and ecological impacts of the releases. Second, I’d like to invite you to tour Southwest Florida to see the places and people that have been negatively affected,” the Fort Myers Republican wrote in a letter to Scott.
“And finally, I urge you to declare a state of emergency in Lee County and the surrounding area so local businesses and home owners can seek remediation from their state government.”
The Army Corps of Engineers last week ordered a maximum water release from Lake Okeechobee down the Caloosahatchee River. On Friday, the discharge was reported to be as high as 9.3 cubic feet per second, or about 70,000 gallons per second.
The release comes as Southwest Florida’s beaches are filled with seasonal visitors. Fitzenhagen said the local tourism industry is already bracing for a drop in income much as they saw after the 2013 releases.
“The dead ocean creatures and red tide have had an immediate impact on my business, but the perception it creates for the future booking is what really hurts my bottom line,” said Toni Lap, the general manager of Tween Waters Inn on Captiva Island, in a statement. “We need to get a grip on these discharges now.”
One comment
G.Alvarez
February 9, 2016 at 7:56 pm
It it criminal and horrific what this governor has done to our beautiful state. I have never seen anyone so greedy that they would sell the health and vitality of our waters and ocean. This is an environmental disaster. Our Flint! He should be impeached and jailed! Remidiation of this problem was voted in and monies set aside. Why no action? Where is the money? Shame on evil governor Scott and shame on whomever voted in this criminal.
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