DEEP DIVE: EAA rock mine could trigger toxic problems

Promoters are trying to pass off a proposed rock mine in the Everglades Agricultural Area as a gift horse in the form of a sometime-in-the-future environmental project. But the plan — which calls for more than 9 million tons of sand and limestone to be mined (basically blasted and dredged) from the site annually for 30 to 40 years — could turn into an ecological nightmare.

The toxins used in rock mining could have huge impacts on the Everglades ecosystem and its native wildlife. Traces of mercury in the limestone could add to what's been called the Everglades' "mercury problem." And how will this proposal affect nearby water supplies, including the Biscayne Aquifer, the source of drinking water for 9 million South Floridians.

Can you say "too risky?" Check out our latest "Deep Dive" for all the details.

Lake O: Did we dump too much?

You may recall earlier this year, as both the east and west coast of Florida were getting harmful discharges from Lake Okeechobee, that some advocates (like, er, us) implored the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to hit the brakes and give Mother Nature a chance to lower the lake.

The Corps’ “Recovery” plan nonetheless continued. Releases to the St. Lucie River continued through late March; releases to the Caloosahatchee have been cut, to 500 cubic feet of water per second. Now, as of this writing, Lake Okeechobee looks likely to recede below 11 feet for the first time since May 2020.

Some Caloosahatchee stakeholders are worried about rising salinity levels; others, who worry about water supply (like Big Sugar), are concerned as the lake nears the “water shortage management band.”

Two reactions:

First: The Corps’ hunch that this year would be dry enough to drop the lake and help the recovery of submerged aquatic vegetation looks accurate. Recovery Mode is considered successful if the lake level falls to 12 feet or lower for 90 days, or 11.5 feet for 60 days. As of today, the lake has been at or below 12 feet for 24 days.

And Corps officials have said that if Recovery mode is successful, those along the estuaries likely wouldn’t have to worry about another “Recovery” period for at least five years (assuming no major storms/hurricanes).

But, second: Did the Corps ultimately dump too much water from Lake O? No one could have predicted the magnitude of the current drought, but we might have achieved similar lake-lowering results without damaging discharges — and that would have benefitted ALL stakeholders.

VoteWater's 2024 Annual Report now available

The year 2024 was a big one for VoteWater. We published our landmark Dirty Money Project, helped stop plans to develop Florida's state parks, fought Lake O discharges, backed clean-water candidates and more.

You can read all about our achievements, and the road ahead, in our 2024 Annual Report — click the link, or if you've like a hard copy, email [email protected] and we'll get you one!

State Parks bill passes; tell Gov. to sign it!

It’s been a long haul but we’re one crucial step away from a major victory on Florida’s state parks — and we need your help!

The Florida Senate and House passed the State Park Preservation Act last week; now it’s up to Gov. Ron DeSantis to sign it into law. You can urge him to do just that by clicking here, via our friends at Friends of the Everglades.

The bill will prohibit golf courses, hotel-style lodges and other destructive uses. Since last summer Floridians have demanded our elected officials protect these wild spaces, and this bill will do the job — if the Governor signs it.

Please make your voice heard one more time to ensure he does!