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SCCF Watches as First Cell of EAA Reservoir Stormwater Treatment Area Completed
On Jan. 25, Florida passed a major milestone in Everglades restoration with the opening of the Cell 1 of the Everglades Agricultural Area (EAA) Reservoir Stormwater Treatment Area (STA). The reservoir is a major component of the decades-long, multibillion dollar Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan.
The STA is a 6,500-acre wetland that will help clean water stored in the still under construction EAA Reservoir before sending it south to the Everglades and Florida Bay. When complete, the reservoir will receive water from Lake Okeechobee, reducing harmful discharges to the coasts and supply more clean water to the ecosystems and communities that need it most.
SCCF Environmental Policy Director Matt DePaolis and Policy & Advocacy Associate Allie Pecenka attended the ribbon-cutting ceremony in Palm Beach County unveiling the first part of the STA. The event included remarks from top government officials including Gov. Ron DeSantis and Department of Interior Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife Parks Shannon Estenoz.
“The EAA Reservoir is the crown jewel of Everglades restoration, ensuring that we are sending water south and reducing harmful discharges into our waterways,” DeSantis said at the event. “The opening of this stormwater treatment cell is a key milestone in the EAA Reservoir project and will help ensure the health of the Everglades for generations to come.”
All speakers highlighted the importance of partnerships between state, federal, and private partners to accomplish the massive undertaking of the EAA Reservoir. Assistant Secreatary Estenoz expressed pride, gratitude and satisfaction for being able to celebrate the ribbon cutting, a milestone made possible only through hard work, “stick-to-it-ness,” and large-scale community engagement.
After the ribbon cutting, the South Florida Water Management District turned on pumps to begin filling the STA cell.
“Everglades restoration hinges on controlling the quality and flow of water,” DePaolis said. “This project will allow us to severely reduce the potential risk of damaging discharges to the Caloosahatchee estuary by storing and treating massive amounts of polluted water from Lake Okeechobee before sending it south to the Everglades.”
