NEWS RELEASE

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

January 22, 1999

CONTACT: Edwin J. Moyer (850) 488-0331

FWC SEEKS TO EXPAND ITS LAKE ENHANCEMENT PROGRAM

Florida is an angler's paradise, and the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is planning to keep it that way. The FWC is seeking $90 million over the next 20 years from the Florida Legislature to enhance fisheries habitat in lakes.

Fisheries biologists in FWC's Aquatic Resource Enhancement Section have identified 60 lakes (31 targeted for restoration) throughout the state in need of lake enhancement projects, such as drawdowns, muck and tussock removal, re-establishment of native submerged vegetation, removal of willows and semi-aquatic vegetation in littoral zones and other fishery habitat enhancements.

"Our current spending authority of $1.5 million per year is insufficient to complete major lake projects," said Ed Moyer, director of FWC's Division of Freshwater Fisheries. "We are seeking $4.5 million per year for the next 20 years from the Legislature to restore vital fisheries habitat in Florida's lakes."

Long-term stabilized water levels in Florida's lakes, which are often the result of flood control practices, have resulted in the need to restore fish and wildlife habitat. Storm water runoff, sewage treatment plant discharge and agricultural activities resulting in nutrient enrichment of lakes are also major factors in degrading lakes.

"As a result of stabilized water levels, many Florida lakes have large accumulations of muck, and undesirable vegetation is growing rampant," Moyer said. "The goal is to enhance fish and wildlife habitat through various management techniques to counter ongoing degradation of our lakes."

Drawdowns are the most economical and proven technique for rehabilitating lake fishery resources. Drawdowns mimic natural droughts and consist of partially draining a lake for several months to dry out bottom sediments and stimulate desirable plant growth. After refilling the lake, fish populations increase dramatically. Drawdowns are especially effective in combating the effects of stabilized water levels.

FWC's fisheries staff has conducted successful lake restoration projects on more than 70 lakes including Lake Tohopekaliga (1971, 1979 and 1987), East Lake Tohopekaliga (1990), Lake Kissimmee (1977 and 1996), Lake Monroe (1989-1994), Lake Talquin (1998), Lake Jackson (1994-1997).

Florida's unique aquatic environment contributes heavily to the economic well being of the state. The freshwater recreational fishery in Florida is worth more than $1.4 billion in economic impact. Furthermore, freshwater fishing in Florida's 3 million acres of freshwater lakes and reservoirs and 12,000 miles of rivers and streams generates $37.4 million in taxes and provides 18,873 jobs.

"We have taken a hard look at our lakes, and are extremely concerned at what we see and what we envision for the future," Moyer said. "Florida's unprecedented rate of population growth is placing considerable stress on our lake systems.

"It's important to increase funding and expand our lake restoration program so we can restore high quality fish and wildlife habitat in our lakes as well as maximize recreational opportunities for our constituents," Moyer said.

The following 31 lakes are targets for restoration:
*Lakes Cypress & Hatchineha, Osceola County
*Defuniak Lake, Walton County
*Deer Point Reservoir, Bay County
*Lake Griffin, Lake County
*Lakes Helen Blazes and Sawgrass, Brevard County
*Lake Istokpoga, Highlands County
*Lake Jackson, Leon County
*Lake Jesup, Seminole County
*Lake Kissimmee, Osceola County
*Lake Lochloosa, Alachua County
*Lake Miona, Sumter County
*Montgomery Lake, Columbia County
*Lake Munson, Leon County
*Lake Mystic, Madison County
*Ocheesee Pond, Jackson County
*Lake Panasoffkee, Sumter County
*Lake Parker, Polk County
*Rattlesnake Pond, Volusia County
*Lake Rousseau, Citrus & Marion County
*Lake Sampson, Bradford County
*Seminole Lake, Pinellas County
*South and Fox lakes, Brevard County
*Square Lake, Palm Beach County
*Lake Stone, Escambia County
*Lake Trafford, Collier County
*Lake Tohopekaliga, Osceola County
*East Lake Tohopekaliga, Osceola County
*Lake Tsala Apopka, Citrus County
*Lake Walk-In-Water, Polk County
*Watertown Lake, Columbia County
*Yates Mill Pond, Washington County