Five Questions

The Gulf of Mexico and the Everglades are among our most popular tourist attractions, and local golf courses, housing and agriculture rely on a quality water supply. As a South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) spokesman, Kurt Harclerode is often in the thick of serious and sometimes contentious discussions about issues such as Lake Okeechobee releases, estuary preservation and land stewardship as they relate to water quality. He's been with SFWMD for 18 years, including 14 in the Lower West Coast region, which encompasses Lee, Collier, Glades and Hendry counties, and part of Charlotte County. With such a large geographic area, Harclerode hears about many different concerns from many different people, from citizens to elected officials.

1. What measures are being taken to ensure that growth won't soak up water supplies?

The district produces a water supply plan for the region that is updated every five years. [It's] a blueprint for the district and local governments to use to meet the growing demand for water. The use of alternative supplies like waste-water reuse, desalination, aquifer storage and recovery are all important aspects of the plan, as well as conservation. The Southwest Florida region is a leader in the use of alternative water supplies and conserving the resource.

2. What effects, in your opinion, are Lake Okeechobee water releases having on the Gulfshore?

Large-scale discharges into the Caloosahatchee River from Lake Okeechobee can have a detrimental impact on the health of the Caloosahatchee estuary. Releases from the lake are necessary when rising lake levels threaten the integrity of the dike around the lake. District scientists continuously monitor conditions in the lake, river and estuary and make operational recommendations based on those conditions. While the district works to lessen the need for large lake discharges, the estuary has been subject to high discharges in the past and has a history of being particularly resilient.

3. How can the practice of Lake Okeechobee releases be changed?

The district, with the leadership and support of Gov. Jeb Bush, is working on programs with our federal partners to greatly reduce the necessity for large lake discharges. This is not an overnight fix for all of the lake's and estuaries' environmental troubles. The multifaceted plans include a combination of fast-tracked construction projects, including several reservoirs, and a commitment to manage the lake at lower levels.

4. How has the overall political environment changed in the past decade with regard to the district's missions and/or projects?

The growing interest of local governments in the issues is good news for Southwest Florida. Solutions to the environmental challenges we face will take a coalition of governments working together at all levels. It will also take the input and support of disparate groups in the environmental and the agricultural communities. It is essential that we as a community work collectively to bring about the necessary solutions. Greater public input from Southwest Florida can only benefit this process.

5. What does it say to the district that various entities may file suit over water quality issues?

It has become more urgent than ever for us to consider every possible solution for putting a stop to the continued degradation of our estuaries and to Lake Okeechobee. While recognition of the environmental predicament we face is nearly universally acknowledged, well-intentioned individuals can differ on the path to solving our problems. Rather than time-delaying lawsuits, divisiveness and finger pointing, now is the time, working together, that we can make a difference to our community.

?-Interview by Phil Borchmann