Media Inquiries
Contact the Office of Communications:
Erin Moffet
Strategic Communications Director
(850) 766-7358
Erin.Moffet@FDACS.gov
Caroline Stonecipher
Deputy Communications Director
(850) 661-7153
Caroline.Stonecipher@FDACS.gov
Sabina Covo
Hispanic Media Director
Sabina.Covo@FDACS.gov
Tallahassee, Fla. — Today, in response to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announcing that it would be moving forward with the Alternative CC proposal as the foundation for the new Lake Okeechobee System Operating Manual (LOSOM), Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried offered the following statement:
“From the start of this process, and throughout the passionate discussions of these plans, it’s abundantly clear that major modifications will be needed to address the many concerns of all communities as we continue working to preserve our water resources for generations to come. During the months ahead, we will remain focused on addressing the concerns of environmentalists and other stakeholders, helping craft a solution that meets Florida’s environmental and public needs in good faith and in compliance with the law.”
Background: As a coordinating agency with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) Office of Agricultural Water Policy (OAWP) provided technical evaluations of all plans under consideration at the LOSOM Project Delivery Team meeting held on July 12. Given the official role of FDACS OAWP in this process, the department did not endorse any plan.
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