South Florida Water Management District ag highlights- August report

U.S. Sugar/SFWMD Land Acquisition Update

Behind-the-scenes negotiations are still taking place between U.S. Sugar Corporation and the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD).  SFWMD has 75 days from June 24th to secure an acceptable contract between the two parties to submit to the governing board.  At that time, all negotiations become public.  This complies with Florida Statute 373.139 (3) (a), according to the Water Management District.  

Also noted during the August governing board meeting is all proposals must be brought to the governing board for consideration.  This is in response to a rumor that the governing board had given Executive Director Carol Wehle power to act on the board’s behalf.

Rural Economic Development Initiative Hosting Public Meetings In Hendry/Western Palm Beach Counties

As mentioned last month, the Governor’s Office of Tourism, Trade and Economic Development, Rural Economic Development Initiative (REDI) will “focus and coordinate resources of the state of Florida on rural community economic development” in the area impacted by the U.S. Sugar sale.  This effort will cover many agencies and will address problems in a collaborative manner. 

The first part of this effort will be a series of public information meetings in the potentially impacted communities of Belle Glade, Moore Haven, Labelle and Clewiston.  The meeting information is as follows:

•    Monday, August 25, 2008  6-9 pm
Glades Communities Meeting at the Palm Beach Community College, Belle Glade Campus, 1977 College Drive, Belle Glade, 33430

•    Wednesday, August 27, 2008 6-9 pm
Glades County Community Meeting in Moore Haven at the Doyle Conner Ag Center, 900 South U.S. Hwy 27, Moore Haven, 33471

•    Thursday, August 28, 2008 2-5 pm
Western Hendry County Community Meeting at the Labelle Civic Center, 481 W. Hickpochee Avenue, Labelle, 33935

•    Thursday, August 28, 2008 6-9 pm
Eastern Hendry County Community Meeting in Clewiston at the John Boy Auditorium, 1200 South W.C. Owens Avenue, Clewiston, 33440

Florida Farm Bureau Federation encourages all residents and agricultural interests to attend at least one of the informational sessions.  

Lake Okeechobee Water Level On the Rebound

As this report is being written, Tropical Storm Faye is soaking Lake Okeechobee and the watersheds that feed the lake.  As of midnight on August 19, the lake level stood at 11.34 feet.  This is almost two feet higher than the level on this date last year.

Agricultural interests are encouraged that the Water Management staff have relaxed the weekly reporting requirements in the Lake Okeechobee Service Area which is still under Phase III (45% reduction) water restrictions.  Additionally, Florida Farm Bureau Federation and farming organizations are requesting that the Phase III restrictions be reduced to Phase II (30% reduction) before the fall crops are planted.  With the current rainfall from Tropical Storm Faye, this should not be a problematic request.

Media outlets have been concerned about the impact of Tropical Storm Faye on the crops across south Florida.  Due to the low level of Lake Okeechobee (even at 11.34 feet, it is still 2 ½ feet below normal) and the low levels in canals and reservoirs, quite a bit of rain can fall and be absorbed into the system across the agricultural areas.  What will determine damage to the crops is how long the crops are in a waterlogged condition.  It will take several weeks to determine the actual damage, if any.