"TALLAHASSEE — With Lake Okeechobee continuing to drop, the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers announced on Thursday that it would further reduce harmful water releases to the St. Lucie and Caloosahatchee rivers.

The releases harming the river estuaries drove support during the legislative session for a bill to provide funding for Lake Okeechobee and Everglades projects to divert water flows. And the releases continue to drive debate over Everglades restoration.

The Corps said Thursday it would cut releases by 60 percent from the maximum begun on Feb. 5. The agency release water to reduce the threat to the Lake Okeechobee dike, which prevents flooding surrounding communities."

Bruce Ritchie reports for Politico March 17, 2016. [2]