Specifications

Section 4 Identification of Problems and Opportunities
EAA Storage Reservoirs Revised Draft PIR and EIS February 2006
4-6
4.1.4 Fish and Wildlife
4.1.4.1 Everglades and WCAs
Human-induced changes in and around the Study Area have resulted in a
substantial reduction in habitat quality for fish and wildlife. In the WCAs, the
population of alligators has increased, but nesting success is affected by water
levels. Colonial wading birds’ feeding and breeding success is also affected by
ponded, deep water areas, and altered timing of seasonal drying. During periods
of extended high water, accumulation of dead plant material interferes with fish
spawning and exerts a large oxygen demand causing fish kills. The fish
community structure and abundance is highly dependent on water levels. The
fish communities, in turn, provide a major food source for wading birds,
alligators, and other carnivores.
4.1.4.2 Lake Okeechobee
In the littoral zone of Lake Okeechobee, the more constant high water levels do
not allow for the periodic wetting and drying necessary for the germination of
several plant communities, such as willows, which provide nesting substrates for
snail kites and wading birds. Fish suffer adverse impacts due to loss of sub-
aquatic vegetation and other beneficial plant life that serves as breeding ground
and affords protection for juveniles.
4.1.4.3 Northern Estuaries
Releases from Lake Okeechobee to the St. Lucie River and Estuary, southern
Indian River Lagoon, and Caloosahatchee River and Estuary have caused
declines in submerged aquatic vegetation, benthic invertebrate, and oyster
populations. They are important because they provide habitat, food, and oxygen
for fish, reptiles, mammals, and invertebrates. Populations of many important
recreational and commercial fish have declined due to water pollution and losses
of habitat. There are also decreased populations of seabirds, wading birds, and
shorebirds due to loss of habitat. In the St. Lucie Estuary, sores on fish have
been correlated to large freshwater discharges from Lake Okeechobee.
4.1.4.4 Opportunities
Presently, the design of the major canals within the EAA is constrained in
moving water internally within the EAA or from Lake Okeechobee to the south.
By incorporating expanded or modified EAA canals with a new water storage
area(s), the increased operational flexibility, increased conveyance capacity and
converting 32,000 acres of farmland to a storage reservoir could provide
additional flood protection to the EAA while protecting the WCAs, Lake