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Donalds sets Congressional Water Roundtable

By CHUCK BALLARO - | Aug 6, 2021

Congressman Byron Donalds

With local officials saying the area’s water quality hangs in the balance, Southwest Florida political and environmental stakeholders plan to meet next week to discuss the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ announced alternative for managing Lake Okeechobee over the next decade.

U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds, R-19, has announced he will meet with city, county, state and federal leaders Tuesday in a Congressional Water Roundtable to discuss the future of the area’s water supply. The roundtable is set to begin at 6 p.m. at City Hall in Cape Coral.

The Aug. 10 roundtable will serve as an opportunity for the constituents to share their concerns, hear from regional leaders and stakeholders, and discuss ways the federal government can allocate resources in the preservation of Southwest Florida’s water quality, according to a statement posted to social media by Donalds’ office.

Donalds, along with Director of Southwest Florida Water Management District Chauncey Goss, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Col. Andrew Kelly, U.S. Department of Interior Director of Everglades Restoration Initiatives Adam Gelber, among others are listed to be in attendance. Former Bonita Springs Mayor Peter Simmons will serve as moderator.

Many local and county leaders, as well as constituents, also are expected to attend and express their opinions about the Corps’ new Lake Okeechobee System Operating Manual choice, Alternative CC, which calls for increased discharges to the Caloosahatchee in the summer and decreases in the winter.

Lee County and the city of Cape Coral have announced their opposition to the alterative, saying they fear a devastating impact to local waters.

“I would urge the residents of the city of Cape Coral to come out and have their voices heard concerning water quality,” Cape Coral Councilmember Gloria Tate said Thursday.

Donalds could not be immediately reached for comment.

Additional details may be found on the congressman’s Facebook page.