Commissioners Hold Joint Session with SFWMD

On December 13, County Commissioners, administrators and staff met with South Florida Water Management District officials at the County Convention Center to discuss regional water resource issues.

SFWMD Governing Board Chairman Eric Buermann (fourth from left) offers opening remarks.

(from left) Commissioners Aaronson, Santamaria and Marcus, Vice Chair Jeff Koons, Chairperson Addie Greene, County Administrator Bob Weisman and Water Resources Manager Ken Todd

Topics included the current drought situation and projections for the dry season; an update on construction of the Lake Region Water Treatment Plant, slated to go online in mid-2008; the Northern Everglades and Estuaries Protection Program; Everglades restoration; water resources in the urban redevelopment area; water restrictions and conservation; increasing the use of reclaimed water for landscaping and irrigation; and whether to allow rock mining in the Everglades Agricultural Area.

Rock mining in the EAA, the topic of a planned summit in February, was discussed for about an hour.	Approximately 150 attended the nearly four-hour public meeting.
SFWMD Chief Engineer Cal Neidrauer explains the drought situation and projections for the dry season.	Water Utilities Director Bevin Beaudet reports the Lake Region Water Treatment Plant should be fully operational by mid-year.