Martin County, Fl- The Army Corp of Engineers will be opening up the gates of hell this morning and we will be getting discharges from Lake Okeechobee.
Dr Christina Maldenado and Troy Brown from #toxic18 are down there documenting.
About #toxic18
This group is designed to be the central place to document and share everything related to toxic algae this year, 2018. Our name is not just the year, but we are also Florida’s 18th congressional district which contains the whole St. Lucie County and Martin County as well as the northeastern part of Palm Beach County.
We encourage everyone to post pictures and videos of the algae you see. Please document date and location. Facebook live videos are very easy to make and share. If you have an event related to the algae, please post here and we will be sure it is shared widely. If you are an elected official, or running for office, feel free to tell us your stance on the water. (we do not encourage political arguments, facts only please) We encourage you to share posts onto your own pages to increase awareness and education throughout the community.
We set this page up to document -so be a documentary filmmaker -and post what is relevant or its going to be cut.
From @jacquethurlowlippich
Baseline aerial, 2-14-24, St. Lucie River/Indian River Lagoon. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Jacksonville District working to manage water together with their local sponsor, the South Florida Water Management District, announced today that they will start significant discharges (1800 +/-cfs) from Lake Okeechobee (16.37 ft.) beginning Saturday, 2-17-24. These will last for about one month and more possibly thereafter.
El Nino continues but the goal is to lower Lake Okeechobee before the rainy season begins. This photo will serve as a basis for comparison as our waters decline. (Photo Ed Lippisch.)
What we know:
Christina is down there. Discharges have not started yet.
Dr Cristina Maldenado
Troy Brown
Mark Perry has arrived.
Here are the links to the videos
Colonel James Booth District Commander of the Army Corps of Engineers, was at the locks today. Listen as he explains some of how the ACOE makes it’s decisions. He talks a bit about LOSOM too. I had to leave and didn’t get to talk to him.
We will update this post as we receive photos and videos.
You can also see them all by joining #toxic18
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Treasure Coast Free Press 
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