The sun’s first light rose over a gigantic crane that was displaying both the American and Florida flags. Gusts burst through the C-43 construction site as the earth slowly warmed, the giant banners flapping loudly in the wind. I smiled to myself thinking, “it really is a new day for the Caloosahatchee.”
Press Release SFWMD awards contract C-43 Reservoir: https://www.sfwmd.gov/news/sfwmds-governing-board-awards-contract-build-caloosahatchee-c-43-west-basin-storage-reservoir
Governor Ron DeSantis would be coming for the groundbreaking of the C-43 Reservoir…
SFWMD C-43 Reservoir (https://www.sfwmd.gov/sites/default/files/documents/lass_portfolio_westcoast_c43res.pdf)
~Confusing for those of us on the east coast, unlike the St Lucie, the Caloosahatchee sometimes needs water. The idea of the C-43 Reservoir is to both reduce the amount of water released from Lake Okeechobee that makes it to the estuary during the wet season and to store water to be released during dry season in order to help maintain an ideal salinity in the upper estuary. Right now, it is often the case that the Caloosahatchee has to “compete” with other interests for water.
With this in mind, on his second day in office, Governor DeSantis called for expediting the important long-awaited reservoir as well as adding a water quality component. People on the west coast are bold to say that DeSantis has done great things for the Caloosahatchee since day one.
Executive Order 19-12 calls for expediting the C-43 Reservoir and calls for a water quality component: (Sec. 1 E & F) https://www.flgov.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/EO-19-12-.pdf
SFWMD C-43 West Basin Storage Reservoir: http://www.hendryfla.net/SFWMD%20Hendry%20BOCC%20January%202019.pdf
Knowing I would be traveling in lands unfamiliar, I drove a day early to the C-43 site with Sean Cooley, Communications Director, South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) and his assisting, Mr. Carter. Thus I was able to tour before and during Governor DeSantis’ visit. It was rare opportunity to learn more about Florida’s west coast.
How would I describe the expericence?
“Emense!”
Let me explain…
Video of going driving up the 45 foot mound to view the site of the C-43 Caloosahatchee Reservoir, 10-25-19.
On Thursday, Mr Phil Flood -SFWMD West Coast Regional Representative – was the first to give me a tour. We drove a truck up a huge mound that was weighing down clay to be used in the reservoir’s surrounding dike. When we got to the top of the 45 foot hill, Mr Flood pointed in every direction: “See that tree line? See the horizon? See the edge of that old packing house? All this all will include the reservoir…”
The wind whipped by; I held my hair out of my face, eyes squinting. I thought about the once natural flow of water from Lake Okeechobee to Florida Bay. I though about how much things have changed in a hundred years.
“Just like my friend Mr Haddad told me,” I shouted across the way,” we spent a hundred years taking the water off the land and we’ll spend the next hundred years putting it back on…”
Mr Flood broke into his wonderful smile directing my eyes, again, to the horizon.
“The C-43 will be huge! The lands consists of 10, 500 square acres of former orange groves, will have 19 miles of dam embankment, 15 miles of perimeter canal, 14 major water control structures, 3 pump stations, and 3 bridges.”
“And most important, it will help save the Caloosahatchee!” I replied. We drove back down the giant mound watching the excitement as all prepared for the Governor’s arrival.
Caloosahatchee River: (http://www.sccf.org/water-quality/caloosahatchee-condition-reports)
These photos in this post are from both Thursday, October 24 and Friday, October 25, 2019. They were taken as SFWMD staff along with Lane Construction Corporation, a U.S. subsidiary of Salini Impregilo prepared for the groundbreaking ceremony. The was great fanfare! We all know it’s time to fix the water!
It’s now October 25th, waiting for the Governor and First Lady to arrive!
Governor DeSantis speaks!
Office of Gov. DeSantis: https://www.flgov.com/2019/10/25/governor-ron-desantis-breaks-ground-on-embankments-and-canals-to-complete-caloosahatchee-c-43-west-basin-storage-reservoir/
Great day. Finally. But still a long time before finished. I believe it was 2004 when I first attended a meeting and spoke in support of the C 43 Reservoir. Will keep the artificial
Caloosahatchee estuary fresh during the dry season. Protecting a great fishery that developed with the cut to Lake O. Plus, help some with excess water during rain events. The Reservoir also has good prospects for public access and recreation which the SFWMD have incorporated into the project. Thank you SFWMD!
Thank you Newton and yes as all it has been a long journey! That is why I included link from 2013. I hope it speeds up NOW!!!
Thank you Jacqui, the new SFWMD Governing Board and Gov. DeSantis for expediting the C-43 and it’s STA! It appears to me that the SFWMD will need to build more STAs since the EAA farmers are using most of the current taxpayer funded STA capacity.
Does waveing the American flag make it OK to waste billions of tax dollars??
Actually the money comes from China’s manufacturing so maby they should be flying the Chinese flag.
Yesterday I put sand iin brown dead water(near Rockledge) and today I will go and am sure i will see all kinds of life comming in to live and not die where I put sand—-that is the differance between me and you guys. For me it is a day to day struggle where I can see the results of my labor and for you guys it is all about snowballen the taxpayer to rape us for billions of dollars. I considder what has been done and your continuing to lie about it as an attack on our country.