Lake Okeechobee Water Releases

I searched through the News-Press website and found a disturbing article for those who are concerned about our local environment. Recently, the commander of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' Jacksonville District informed citizens at a public meeting in Lee County of possible freshwater releases into the Gulf. They claim the lake is almost three feet higher than normal for this time of year due to a wet dry season. The purpose of draining the lake is to prevent possible breaching in the Herbert Hoover Dike.
After finishing the article all I can imagine are the rivers of algae that will invade the seagrass beds and mangrove forests. These important habitats are fish nurseries and will threaten the fish population as well as other species that depend on the health of the estuaries. Not only will the wildlife suffer, but the tourism we depend on for our local economy.
Thinking through the issue a little more, I realized Florida's natural environment has been threatened from human activity throughout its history. Channelization, canal systems, agriculture, and construction/development are examples of human activity that have had a negative impact on Florida's biodiversity. Canal systems have conflicted with the natural watersheds and have caused serious draughts in the Everglades; agriculture has led to countless fish kills due to fertilizers and other poisons; development has shrinked the amount of woodlands for Florida Panthers and other threatened species.
Back to the main issue, I do not agree with the decision to release freshwater into our estuaries. The negative impacts are too great and I think the Herbert Hoover Dike can support a slightly higher water depth.