Specifications

Section 7 Environmental Effects of the Selected Plan
EAA Storage Reservoirs Revised Draft PIR and EIS February 2006
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7.9.10 Smalltooth Sawfish
As stated above, this and other CERP projects are expected to improve estuarine
conditions. A more stable salinity regime should result in increased submerged
aquatic vegetation coverage and increased populations of small fish and benthic
organisms, which are a food source for the sawfish. As such, the USACE
determines this project “may affect, but is not likely to adversely affect” the
sawfish.
7.9.11 Opossum Pipefish
Besides improving estuarine conditions, this project is expected to improve the
littoral zone of Lake Okeechobee. Opossum pipefish have been documented in
the St. Lucie Canal and the lake, and require dense emergent vegetation for
breeding. This and other CERP projects are expected to improve water stages in
Lake Okeechobee, which would result in benefits to the littoral zone, and reduce
the amount of backpumping of agricultural runoff to the lake. These benefits to
the water quality and vegetation of the lake would increase the food source and
breeding area for the opossum pipefish. The USACE determines this project
“may affect, but is not likely to adversely affect” the opossum pipefish.
7.9.12 Okeechobee Gourd
The current survival of the Okeechobee gourd is threatened by Lake Okeechobee
water regulation practices and the expansion of exotic vegetation (primarily
Melaleuca) (USFWS, 1999). This project is expected to improve water stages in
the lake, which may help to reduce the extent of exotic vegetation. The effects of
this project on the Okeechobee gourd, if any, are expected to be beneficial. The
USACE determines this project “may affect, but is not likely to adversely affect”
the Okeechobee gourd.
7.9.13 Johnson’s Seagrass
One of the objectives of this project is to reduce Lake Okeechobee regulatory
releases to the St. Lucie Estuary, and thereby improve the water quality and
salinity regime of the area. This project, in concert with other CERP projects, is
expected to improve estuarine habitat conditions, including benefiting oyster
bars and increasing the spatial extent of seagrasses. Current modeling results
from the South Florida Water Management Model (SFWMM) indicate a
reduction in regulatory releases by approximately 25 percent. The estuary is
likely to have more stable salinity concentrations, and the reduction of releases
from the lake is expected to also reduce the concentration of nutrients and
pesticides going into the estuary. This project is expected to have a beneficial