Specifications

Section 3 Future Without Project Conditions
EAA Storage Reservoirs Revised Draft PIR and EIS February 2006
3-6
3.1.6.4 Water Conservation Areas
Without reservoir storage capacity, water released to the WCAs could continue
to be difficult to manage. The WCAs need water to sustain ecological needs
during the dry season and protection from large freshwater releases related to
flood control during the wet season. Continuation of the altered hydroperiods
within the WCAs could have adverse effects on marsh communities and tree
islands.
3.1.7 Fish and Wildlife
3.1.7.1 Lake Okeechobee
The desired restoration of historic water fluctuations within Lake Okeechobee
could not be accomplished by 2050 without the Project. Although recent
modifications to the lake’s regulation schedule will assist in the restoration of
Lake Okeechobee, the full benefit would not be fully realized without the
available storage of the EAA reservoir. Continued artificially high water levels
within the Lake Okeechobee basin reduces the availability of bedding habitat for
fishes, and changes the extent and composition of the emergent and submergent
vegetation communities. If opportunities for lower water levels were allowed,
this would provide good foraging for wading birds and other birds dependent
upon aquatic prey species by concentrating prey and exposing additional shallow
water habitat.
3.1.7.2 Northern Estuaries
Continued regulatory releases from Lake Okeechobee would adversely affect the
estuarine water quality and the plants and animals within the estuary.
Reduction of health or extent of the SAV has deleterious impacts to the
estuarine fish and invertebrates that utilize this habitat as a nursery area.
Loss of juvenile fish and shellfish as prey for predatory fish and birds has a
cumulative adverse impact through the estuarine and marine food web, as well
as directly reducing commercially important fish and shellfish.
3.1.7.3 Everglades Agricultural Area
Without the Project, no significant change would likely result to fish and wildlife
populations in Compartment A. Regional trends that could shape future
conditions in Compartment A as well as the whole EAA, through the planning
period include: 1) minor changes in land cover/use caused by wetter conditions
from soil subsidence; and, 2) improved surface water quality. Minor changes in
regional land cover were discussed previously. In general, shifts to somewhat
wetter conditions in the EAA would favor wetland fauna or wetland dependent