The Lower Kissimmee Basin Stormwater Treatment Area (LKBSTA) will be on the agenda for the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) Governing Board meeting on Thursday, May 9.

In a May 2 online meeting, Okeechobee County residents who live near the project area expressed concerns about the impacts on their homes.

Jenna Bobsein, SFWMD lead engineer, said the purpose of the project is reduce the phosphorus loading into Lake Okeechobee.

The target for the lake is to get the annual load down to 140 metric tons of phosphorous (including 35 metric tons of atmospheric phosphorus).  The latest SFWMD tests show the target is being exceeded by 252 metric tons per year. The highest concentrations of phosphorus in the lower Kissimmee Basin come from Taylor Creek/Nubbin Slough watershed.

Bobsein said the L-62 canal, which cuts through the Lazy 7 area, is a priority water source for the project. This canal consistently has high phosphorus levels. The project estimated to remove 20 to 22 metric tons of phosphorus per year.

For comparison, the Lakeside Ranch STA removed more than 14 metric tons of phosphorus in Water Year 2023-24.

Due to concerns the STAs within the 4,800-acre project are too close to housing area, they added a buffer between the project and the nearby subdivisions, she explained.

Responding to concerns the project would draw more wading birds, which could increase the risk of bird strikes on airplanes, the design was changed to eliminate open water areas, she explained.

Flooding is another concern. She said they lowered the surface water elevations on the plan to address this. A permanent canal system around the project will be monitored in real time to ensure there is no change in ground water levels, she added.

The planned STA will have access for hikers and bicyclists. Public access to project is anticipated off SR 70, on north end of the project. Levees around the STA are anticipated to include walking trails. People who live nearby are likely to have other access routes other than the parking area off SR 70.

Bobsein said SFWMD manages several STAs with adjacent residential areas. In those situations, management for the project ensures those areas are not impacted in terms of groundwater, she explained.

“We have an independent wildlife review completed by a FAA qualified wildlife biologist,” Bobsein continued. She said the biologist concluded “the birds are there now at the improved pasture would be replaced with different kinds of birds that wouldn’t be any more hazardous than what they are now.”

Water depth in the STA cells will be typically 18 inches with a max water depth of 2 feet, she continued. Berms will be able to hold water up to 4 feet high so if there is a storm event over the STA area, the facility will be able to retain water without flooding any additional property.

The Taylor Creek Nubbin Slough sub-watershed in the Lake Okeechobee watershed has the highest phosphorus level in the watershed. “That’s the reason we are focusing on this area in particular,” said Jenna.

Okeechobee County Deputy Administrator Rich Reed said historical evidence indicates bird activity does increase in areas where STAs are built.

Groundwater seepage is also a significant issue for residents, said Reed. “We’re very concerned with that,” he said.

“Right now, that (L-62) canal has about a foot of water in it,” said Lazy 7 resident Paul Rieck. “I have a feeling most of the water will come from the Kissimmee River.” He suggested that since most water will come from the river, the project could be moved north, away from populated areas.

“Water storage north of the lake is badly needed,” said Valentina Miele with the Florida Oceanographic Society. Additionally, reducing the nutrients coming into the lake is very important.

Caitin Newcamp with Audubon Florida said Audubon supports the project. She said the project will help slow down water and treat water.

“The Lake Okeechobee region is long overdue for investment,” she said.

Ruby Budovsky, said her Lazy 7 home was built in 1980. “This poses a great concern, to my home, the value of my home, my septic system, my well system,” she said. “When I moved here, there were maybe two dozen homes out there. Now there are 250.

“I do visit Nubbin Slough, Lakeside Ranch, Taylor Creek STAs,” she said. “I’ve seen spoonbills, eagles, white pelicans -- all kinds of birds.”

She suggested the project be moved north, away from the residential area.

“How about doing a building moratorium? That’s where your runoff is coming from,” she added.

James Madrigal said his home is near the border of the project.

“I’ve noticed the only people who are for this project do not live here,” he said.

“The county has been against this thing, simply because of the location,” said Madrigal. “Only 10-15% of the water for the project will come from the L-62 canal. It doesn’t have to be as big as it is.

“I know we’re not being listened to,” he said. “If it has to be in this location, it could be made smaller.

“I keep being told they cannot change my property. What’s the plan for keeping all these new bugs from this foot and a half of water off my property?” he asked.

“I have numerous concerns. I understand this is a high concentration area and we need to reduce phosphorus everywhere,” said Scott Hunt.

“I’m not sold on the seepage canals,” said Hunt. He noted that at the LOCAR (Lake Okeechobee Component A Reservoir planned for Highlands County) meeting, he learned that above ground reservoir could impact water tables 4 miles away.

Paul Julian of Everglades Foundation said storage north of the lake, in addition to storage already under construction south of the lake, is needed to significantly improve the health of Lake Okeechobee. The Kissimmee River is a conveyor belt of both water and phosphorus pouring into Lake O, he said. He noted it is important to slow the flow into the lake and clean the water before it goes into the lake.

The May 9 SFWMD Governing Board meeting will be held at Indian River State College Chastain Campus, Building C, Susan H. Johnson Auditorium, 2400 SE Salerno Road in Stuart.

The meeting will also be available online from a link on www.sfwmd.gov.

Questions about the project can be submitted to LKBSTA@sfwmd.gov.