What cooperation will be required between the public and private sector?
Restoration of Lake Okeechobee will require everyone in the basin to make a change in the way they conduct activities on their property to minimize phosphorus runoff. It will be necessary for all landowners to implement Best Management Practices (BMPs) to reduce phosphorus runoff from their land. DEP, the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (DACS) and the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) are working with landowners to develop and implement BMPs in a technologically and economically feasible manner. In addition, regional public works will also be used to treat phosphorus rich water in the watershed. • How long is it going to take to achieve restoration of the lake? If all reductions are met immediately, the lake will continue to improve before reaching the restoration target of 40 ppb in approximately 16 to 20 years. Any and all phosphorus reductions will aid in lake recovery. -30- Sign up for DEP’s Press Releases email: function CheckValidator() { frm
