Angry and raucous residents rail against Lake Okeechobee discharges

Published: Feb. 22, 2024, 3:04 p.m.

Treasure Coast residents railed against Lake Okeechobee discharges to the St. Lucie River in Stuart Thursday during the River Coalition’s monthly meeting. The Stuart City Commission meeting chambers was so packed, people spilled out into the hallway. The audience was angry and raucous, often applauding and yelling out responses and questions. Discharges, which began Feb. 17 and are expected to end April 1, will release about 12 billion gallons of polluted lake water into the river for 10 days. The Army Corps of Engineers has not answered TCPalm's detailed questions about the release schedule.

Col. James Booth, Army Corps of Engineers, gives a Lake Okeechobee presentation and progress report to a packed hall chambers during a Rivers Coalition meeting, Thursday, Feb. 22, 2024, at 121 S.W. Flagler Ave. in Stuart. On the meeting agenda, was the recent Lake Okeechobee discharges and impact to the St. Lucie Estuary
The City of Stuart hall chamber was packed with environmentalists, concerned residents and community leaders in response to the recent Lake O discharges during a Rivers Coalition meeting, Thursday, Feb. 22, 2024, at 121 S.W. Flagler Ave. Col. James Booth, Army Corps of Engineers, gave a presentation and progress report
\"I've been going to these meetings for 20 years and it feels like Groundhog Day,\" said Douglas Ashley, of Rio, in reference to the recent Lake O discharges during a Rivers Coalition meeting, Thursday, Feb. 22, 2024, at 121 S.W. Flagler Ave. in Stuart. Col. James Booth, Army Corps of Engineers, gave a presentation and progress report
U.S. Rep. Brian Mast discusses the recent Lake O discharges with Col. James Booth, Army Corps of Engineers, during a Rivers Coalition meeting, Thursday, Feb. 22, 2024, at 121 S.W. Flagler Ave. in Stuart
The City of Stuart hall chamber was packed with environmentalists, concerned residents and community leaders in response to the recent Lake O discharges during a Rivers Coalition meeting, Thursday, Feb. 22, 2024, at 121 S.W. Flagler Ave. Col. James Booth, Army Corps of Engineers, gave a presentation and progress report
The City of Stuart hall chamber was packed with environmentalists, concerned residents and community leaders in response to the recent Lake O discharges during a Rivers Coalition meeting, Thursday, Feb. 22, 2024, at 121 S.W. Flagler Ave. Col. James Booth, Army Corps of Engineers, gave a presentation and progress report
The City of Stuart hall chamber was packed with environmentalists, concerned residents and community leaders in response to the recent Lake O discharges during a Rivers Coalition meeting, Thursday, Feb. 22, 2024, at 121 S.W. Flagler Ave. Col. James Booth, Army Corps of Engineers, gave a presentation and progress report
U.S. Rep. Brian Mast discusses the recent Lake O releases with Col. James Booth, Army Corps of Engineers, during a Rivers Coalition meeting, Thursday, Feb. 22, 2024, at 121 S.W. Flagler Ave. in Stuart
The City of Stuart hall chamber was packed with environmentalists, concerned residents and community leaders in response to the recent Lake O discharges during a Rivers Coalition meeting, Thursday, Feb. 22, 2024, at 121 S.W. Flagler Ave. Col. James Booth, Army Corps of Engineers, gave a presentation and progress report
The City of Stuart hall chamber was packed with environmentalists, concerned residents and community leaders in response to the recent Lake O discharges during a Rivers Coalition meeting, Thursday, Feb. 22, 2024, at 121 S.W. Flagler Ave. Col. James Booth, Army Corps of Engineers, gave a presentation and progress report
The City of Stuart hall chamber was packed with environmentalists, concerned residents and community leaders in response to the recent Lake O discharges during a Rivers Coalition meeting, Thursday, Feb. 22, 2024, at 121 S.W. Flagler Ave. Col. James Booth, Army Corps of Engineers, gave a presentation and progress report
The City of Stuart hall chamber was packed with environmentalists, concerned residents and community leaders in response to the recent Lake O discharges during a Rivers Coalition meeting, Thursday, Feb. 22, 2024, at 121 S.W. Flagler Ave. Col. James Booth, Army Corps of Engineers, gave a presentation and progress report
U.S. Rep. Brian Mast discusses the recent Lake O releases with Col. James Booth, Army Corps of Engineers, during a Rivers Coalition meeting, Thursday, Feb. 22, 2024, at 121 S.W. Flagler Ave. in Stuart
The City of Stuart hall chamber was packed with environmentalists, concerned residents and community leaders in response to the recent Lake O discharges during a Rivers Coalition meeting, Thursday, Feb. 22, 2024, at 121 S.W. Flagler Ave. Col. James Booth, Army Corps of Engineers, gave a presentation and progress report