On August 7th, 2026, in Stuart, Florida, the Everglades Foundation held a day of remembrance — a day of remembrance for the day Senate Presidient Joe Negron, in 2016, held a press conference announcing the goal of the Everglades Agricultural Reservoir to combat the toxic discharges from Lake Okeechobee into the St. Lucie River.
Now it’s 10 years later…
Yes, now it’s 2026 and the EAA Reservoir is a priority of the state and federal government as put forth by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the South Florida Water Management District.
This is a remarkable accomplishment. Actually, all things considered, it is an impossible accomplishment. We must remember that “perfection is the enemy of the good.” We will get there…
In the meanwhile let’s remember that day and the condition of the St. Lucie River Indian River Lagoon at that time, and remember why we remember. Thank you to the Everglades Foundation for helping us to look back to look forward.
~Announcement Day, City of Stuart. Various dignitaries and members of the public.
Photographs of the St. Lucie River/IRL and toxic algae in Atlantic Ocean in 2016 – “The Lost Year….” due to toxic discharges from Lake Okeechobee. Gov. Rick Scott had the area under a State of Emergency.
Below is the Atlantic Ocean on June 29, 2016. The toxic plume was 3 miles out from the inlet as described by FDEP.
Ed and I were ten years younger in 2016 and full blown River Warriors at that time. I am proud of the progress made that everyone was part of from the Stuart News, Martin County, the City of Stuart, all the NGOs, the Rivers Coalition and most important the grassroots movement of kids, River Kids, parents, and grandparents that exploded changing the world and the fate of our state. Thank you Joe Negron for putting it all out there. We will not allow the Reservoir to be highjacked; it is built of Martin County’s flesh, blood and heart and we know that there is work to do!
Ed and I in 2016
What a journey! Thank you for marking this anniversary and it just shows that with hard work and determination, change can be made. The pictures are incredible. Thank you and Ed for your efforts!!!!
Thanks for all that you & Ed have done for clean water in South Florida!!! We all wish they approved the original size of the EAA reservoir!
Wow! Yes. 👍 Things are looking much better for the waters than in 2016, though the El Niño year making the oceans warmer and continuing wildfires are still frightening. All we can do to network, share the truth with neighbors and keep trying for the environment, animals, fish, birds and people here on earth is always important. As I am watching 15 monarch caterpillars form into chrysalises this week for the first time in my own yard on swamp milkweed that was grown from seed, I have been brought to tears several times with the sheer beauty of this magnificent insect that grows from a sculpted, perfect dome egg to a stunning striped caterpillar, and then the gorgeous design of the green and gold chrysalis in hangs in to become a monarch butterfly. I don’t usually talk about God very much, but I do believe that certain things in our world were put here to remind us that life is a true gift. Evolution seems too scientific to explain the sheer magic and colors of the monarch. It feels very important that we don’t forget that we aren’t just protecting the air and waters for us— there are more beautiful creatures than humans all around us. The ecosystem depends on our ability to share and be considerate of other species by doing the best we can to allow for their health and existence too.
We owe everyone involved a debt of gratitude for their hard work and dedication for the progress we are currently celebrating.