Everglades Restoration May Affect Florida Bay

Washington Post ^ | August 9, 2002 | Michael Grunwald

[farmfriend]

Everglades Restoration May Affect Florida Bay

Report Cites Algae Growth, Sea Grass Loss

By Michael Grunwald
Washington Post Staff Writer
Friday, August 9, 2002; Page A21

The National Academy of Sciences warned yesterday that the $7.8 billion effort to revive the Florida Everglades might trigger algal blooms and kill sea grasses in nearby Florida Bay, challenging widely held assumptions that the largest environmental project in American history would restore the degraded bay to a gin-clear fishermen's paradise.

The peer-reviewed report by a panel of scientists concludes instead that the Everglades project's impact on the 1,000-square-mile bay remains highly uncertain. It cites "persuasive" evidence that the impact "may be perceived as undesirable." In general, the academy calls for far more research into the bay's complex problems and potential solutions.

This could create a dilemma for the project's leaders. They have promoted their plans to boost southerly water flows through the Everglades as a "win-win" for the shallow bay and dying coral reefs nearby.

"In the past, the mantra has been that this is a win-win for everyone, but we're saying that may not be so," said Scott Nixon, a coastal marine ecologist from the University of Rhode Island who is on the academy's panel. "People need to be told what's going on here, or else they might end up saying: Holy moly, how did this happen? We want the bay back how it was!"

Rest of Article

[farmfriend]

Very interesting.

[farmfriend]

ping

[Libertina]

"The scientists have been telling us for several years that restoring the natural flows may result in more algae blooms and turbidity," said Salt, a former Army Corps of Engineers colonel who works for the Interior Department. "But that remains our goal."
This article doesn't give me all the information I feel I need to understand the entire situation, but this statement strikes me as pretty arrogant. In addition, the article states that unless the water is crystal pure it may hasten the Everglades' deterioration, yet it's full steam ahead for the "environmental" project, even though they concede their work will not make the water that clean. Hmmmmm. You know, I love the outdoors and grew up in a family that belonged to the mountaineers, hiking, camping... But now when I read or hear the word "environmental" it sets off the old gag reflex.

[farmfriend]

I forgot to add my a link to work done by a true environmentalist.

Natural Process

[Libertina]

It would certainly be great to have someone like Mr. Vande Pol working on some of these committees. An envionmentalist who actually knows science! (And MATH!) Think about it...

[farmfriend]

It would certainly be great to have someone like Mr. Vande Pol working on some of these committees. An envionmentalist who actually knows science! (And MATH!) Think about it...

Better yet, he's a freeper.

[Libertina]

Name please if possible.

[farmfriend]

Carry_Okie

Check this thread for some of his great posts.

[Libertina]

Thank you farmfriend, Although I knew his name, I didn't know his *name.* :) Just another reason why I love FReepers - they're smart!

[Joe Brower]

[Sam Cree]

I think the concern is that increased everglades water flow will flush nutrients into the bay, causing the algal blooms. Not sure, but I suppose the nutrients come from agricultural runoff into Lake Okeechobee from upstate. But there is no doubt that the canal system that was built c. 50 or 60 years ago severely distorted the sheet flow and is the culprit here.

I don't believe that Florida Bay has ever been known for "gin clear" waters as the shallow bottom is quite muddy.

"I'm not focused on bonefish," said Lorenz, a marine biologist who counts roseate spoonbills in the Keys. "I'm focused on the bay. It's a mess right now."

Bonefish have always been a prominent bay resident. You cannot be focused on the bay without being focused on them.

As someone who grew up in a rural area and is hoping to retire there, I'd be interested in Vande Pol's book if a non scientist can understand it. What do you think?

[Free the USA]

Index Bump