It’s official!
The Lake Okeechobee System Operating Manual (LOSOM) Record of Decision (ROD) was signed by Brig. Gen. Daniel Hibner, Commander, South Atlantic Division of the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) on August 12, 2024. This final step in the approval process gives the USACE the ability to implement a more balanced plan for water management for Lake Okeechobee.
Over the past five years, the Conservancy, alongside several organizations, the tribes, and community stakeholders actively engaged in numerous public meetings and extensive analyses of various modeled alternatives. This collaborative effort has culminated in the development of the LOSOM, a plan that is both equitable and balanced, with the potential to deliver widespread benefits across the system. LOSOM is designed to significantly reduce harmful discharges to Florida’s coastal estuaries while ensuring that the water supply needs of all users around Lake Okeechobee are met.
Crucially, the implementation of LOSOM will allow more water to flow south to the Everglades and Florida Bay, particularly during the dry season, while providing the flexibility needed to maintain Lake Okeechobee within a healthy ecological range. The health of Lake Okeechobee is intrinsically tied to the wellbeing of the Everglades, and the successful implementation of LOSOM will bring about significant positive impacts for both.