Specifications

Section 2 Existing Conditions/Affected Environment
EAA Storage Reservoirs Revised Draft PIR and EIS February 2006
2-16
Over-drainage of the northwestern portion of WCA-3A has allowed the invasion
of a number of terrestrial species such as saltbush, dog fennel, and broomsedge.
Melaleuca has become well-established in the southeastern corner of WCA-3A
North, and is spreading to the north and west.
Vegetation located in the central and southern portion of WCA-3A probably
represents some of the best examples of original, undisturbed Everglades habitat
left in South Florida. This region of the Everglades appears to have changed
little since the 1950s, and contains a mosaic of tree islands, wet prairies,
sawgrass stands, and aquatic sloughs similar to those reported by Loveless
(1959).
The majority of vegetation within WCA-3A South can be described as typical
Everglades habitat with some exceptions due largely to the construction of
canals and levees which compartmentalize the WCAs.
2.10 FISH AND WILDLIFE
2.10.1 Lake Okeechobee
The area around Lake Okeechobee includes a wide variety of habitat
opportunities for wildlife, including wading and migratory birds, many
mammals, amphibians, and reptiles, as well as prey species such as crayfish,
prawns, apple snails, and aquatic insects. The USACE conducted a wildlife
survey within the western littoral zone of the lake gathering baseline data for
key habitat types for reptiles, amphibians, and migratory, and resident birds
(USACE, 1999).
Lake Okeechobee is home to a large number of fish species, some of which are
valued as commercial and sportfish, and others a key part of the littoral zone
food web. The USACE found numerous small fish species, including the
Cyprinodontids such as the golden topminnow, the least killifish, and the
Florida flagfish which are important food resources for wading birds,
amphibians, and reptiles. Over a five year period (1987-1991), mean annual
commercial harvest was 2,008 metric tons (Fox, et al., 1992, 1993).
Commercially important fish species included white catfish, bluegill, and redear
sunfish.
Trawl samples taken by the Florida Game and Fresh water Fish Commission
(GFC) from 1987 to 1991 included 25 fish species from the limnetic zone.
Threadfin shad were most abundant, and black crappie, most abundant in terms
of biomass. These two species, and Florida gar, gizzard shad, white catfish,
redear sunfish, and bluegill represented 98% of the total catch in terms of
number and weight in the trawl study (Bull, et al., 1995).