Snook & Gamefish Foundation Calls for End to St. Lucie Dumping
![]() SGF
Director Larry Jones spoke on behalf of all anglers and water women and
men at the 8/3 rally. Over 6,500 citizens were in attendance.
![]() |
The Snook and Gamefish Foundation implores Citizens to speak out against Lake Okeechobee releases and stop the toxic water from flooding our estuaries.
The Snook and Gamefish Foundation is dedicated to protecting and ensuring a brighter future for all fisheries by giving a voice to the recreational angler. Those anglers are appalled and concerned over releases of vast quantities of polluted waters to our coastal environments through the St. Lucie and Caloosahatchee Rivers, which impact water quality, aquatic habitats, human health, recreation and our economy.
During the last month, billions and billions of gallons of dirty water from Lake Okeechobee have gushed - and continue to gush -- into this estuary, resulting in low salinity levels that are lethal to marine animals and seagrasses. Toxic algae blooms are developing throughout the estuary. The Health Department has posted warnings throughout Martin County to avoid contact with the water due to toxic algae and high levels of bacteria in the water. Essentially, the water that flows through our community and attracts millions of visitors every year is poison. The situation is dire now, and projected to continue.
The abysmal water quality plays havoc with wildlife and puts a halt to human activity on the water. The Snook and Gamefish Foundation represents more than 150,000 subscribers in Florida and the southeastern United States. Clean water and a healthy environment are critical to our interest in preserving, protecting and restoring fishery habitat.
We are encouraged by the State's recent support through the allocation of $20.5 million of the Legislative budget towards the C-44 project. Other governments must follow suit if we are to stop the flow of toxic water through our rivers, past our neighborhoods and along the very beaches we walk every day. We deserve and demand action on the Federal and State level to allocate the needed funds to expedite Phase 2 of this project as soon as possible.
Completion of the entire "Indian River Lagoon South" Everglades restoration project is essential to managing the massive basin flows that go into the St. Lucie and our coastal environments. The federal government must step up and provide funding for the authorized Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan so real solutions can be implemented.
SGF Director Larry Jones spoke on behalf of all anglers and waterwomen and men at the 8/3 rally. Over 6,500 citizens were in attendance.The Snook and Gamefish Foundation also supports the C-43 Reservoir project for the Caloosahatchee, Biscayne Bay Coastal Wetlands, Picayune Strand Restoration for the 10,000 islands and the C-111 project for Florida Bay and creating other projects that will help mitigate impacts from stormwater releases by allowing water to flow south and contribute to aquifer recharge for drinking and agricultural water and restoration of flows to Everglades National Park.
The key to success in solving this ongoing problem is public involvement. Together, we have a voice they cannot ignore. Government cannot turn its back on an informed and vocal voting majority.
The Snook and Gamefish Foundation implores recreational anglers and all other concerned citizens to speak up for our vitalFilthy outflow water impacts our beaches, near shore reefs and offshore reefs as well. The problem is large, it will take equally large solutions. fishery habitats. Become informed, call or email your elected officials -- all of them -- and let them know that you are outraged by the constraints of the current water management system that regularly results in polluted releases to estuaries and coastal waters that are the life blood of the economy and quality of life of our coastal communities. Tell them you want to swim and fish in local waters without fear of having severe consequences to your health and safety. Tell them to fund the projects already on the books to solve these problems.
Our environment is too important to our economy and quality of life to allow these damaging releases to continue. Demand construction of more water storage so that the rainy season waters can be managed, and our estuaries can function as Mother Nature designed them.
Action must be taken, and let it start with you.













