Released on = January 22, 2007, 6:00 am

Press Release Author = Jesus Rodriguez

Industry =

Press Release Summary = The South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) has
requested that the Army Corps of Engineers continue to make daily environmental
releases of freshwater from Lake Okeechobee to the Caloosahatchee River and Estuary.
These releases were initiated last month amid concerns over saltwater intrusion and
the health of the Upper Caloosahatchee Estuary.

Press Release Body = West Palm Beach, FL - January 22, 2007 - The South Florida
Water Management District (SFWMD) has requested that the Army Corps of Engineers
continue to make daily environmental releases of freshwater from Lake Okeechobee to
the Caloosahatchee River and Estuary. These releases were initiated last month amid
concerns over saltwater intrusion and the health of the Upper Caloosahatchee
Estuary.

Depending upon the amount of runoff from the basin, the low-volume releases of 250
cubic feet of water per second will continue as needed through mid-February, with no
additional pulse releases planned. The recommendation for continuation of these
releases was approved by the SFWMD governing board at its meeting on January 11. A
written request to continue similar gate operations at water structure S-79 was then
submitted to Army Corps water managers, who subsequently concurred with the request.

"According to the latest sampling and monitoring data, the recent influx of
freshwater already has helped reduce salinity to levels protective of tape grass in
the upper estuary," said SFWMD Governing Board Member Alice J. Carlson. "This is
proof that the freshwater releases are achieving their intended goal; and we
anticipate continued environmental benefits from the planned releases over the next
month."

Through the seven-day period ending January 15, 2007, salinity in the Caloosahatchee
River at the I-75 Bridge averaged approximately 10 parts per thousand (ppt), the
target concentration for the current environmental release schedule. Recognizing
the abnormally dry conditions in the area as well as regional water availability
concerns, this schedule was developed to stop the encroachment of high salinity
water to the upper area of the estuary and the location limits of tape grass.

According to SFWMD Executive Director Carol Ann Wehle, these releases are an effort
to protect tape grass at its most upstream location in anticipation that the plant,
which stops growing and begins to decline when salinity persists above 10 ppt, will
have a better chance of recovery in the coming spring and summer months - at least
in this limited region of its range. Without the current release efforts, the
plants may be lost in the estuary completely and could take years to recover.

Tape grass is submerged aquatic vegetation that provides food and habitat for
numerous organisms including finfish, crabs and shellfish. Acting in the same
capacity as downstream seagrass in its function and importance, tape grass also can
provide numerous water quality and water clarity benefits because it absorbs
nutrients and reduces suspended solids in the water, particularly near shore. Water
managers routinely monitor tape grass because it is a key indicator of water quality
and the overall health of the upper estuary.

In the short term, the SFWMD will on a monthly basis consider the need for providing
freshwater from Lake Okeechobee while balancing the needs of all of the various
water users and natural systems that depend on the lake for water. District
scientists will continue to conduct sampling and monitoring along the Caloosahatchee
River and Estuary to track salinity and water quality improvements associated with
these releases over the next month. The release schedule would be modified
according to new data as it is received, and lake releases would be reduced or
ceased if basin rainfall runoff occurs and exceeds the recommended lake releases.
At the end of the 30-day period, District water managers and the District governing
board will evaluate the monitoring information and the prevailing water availability
conditions to determine the need for any further action.

The current release plan accounts for anticipated rain events that may influence
salinity levels and water quality over the next 30 days. The proposed releases from
the Lake would be in such low volumes that water managers project no significant
water quality change at the mouth of the Caloosahatchee Estuary (Shell Point),
rather only within the mid to upper estuary. However, the District can not predict
water quality changes due to increased S-79 inflows related to possible rainfall
runoff during the next month.

An additional benefit anticipated from these releases is lower chloride levels near
intakes for the Lee County Water Treatment Plant, located just upstream of the S-79
structure. Water managers anticipate the releases will reduce chlorides or at
minimum keep them from climbing to an undesirable range.

The South Florida Water Management District is a regional, governmental agency that
oversees the water resources in the southern half of the state - 16 counties from
Orlando to the Keys. It is the oldest and largest of the state's five water
management districts. The agency mission is to manage and protect water resources of
the region by balancing and improving water quality, flood control, natural systems
and water supply. A key initiative is cleanup and restoration of the Everglades.

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Web Site = http://sfwmd.gov

Contact Details = Jesus Rodriguez
South Florida Water Management District
Office: (561) 682-6060
Mobile: (561) 568-8025
jerodrig@sfwmd.gov