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Ten years ago today, the St. Lucie and Caloosahatchee estuaries were being crushed by high-volume discharges and blue-green algae from Lake Okeechobee.
In what would come to be called the "Lost Summer" of 2013, both coastal estuaries — but especially the St. Lucie — would suffer tremendous damage. Toxic blue-green algae exploded in the St. Lucie to a degree never seen before. Thousands rallied to demand action; lawmakers promised change.
But 10 years later, what has really changed?
Billions of dollars are being spent on projects that promise cleaner water. Some have been completed; others are a decade or more away from making a difference. And again this summer, we face a huge algae bloom on Lake Okeechobee and the prospect of toxic discharges to the estuaries.
Sure, there's been change — but not enough to end the discharges once and for all. For a detailed look back at the events of 2013 — and a rundown of how we can avoid another "lost summer" — check out our Special Report on VoteWater.org.
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