Wenger 72944 Especificações descarregar pdf (Página 133)

Section 3 Future Without Project Conditions

EAA Storage Reservoirs Revised Draft PIR and EIS February 2006

3-9

In the estuarine areas of the St. Lucie and Caloosahatchee watersheds,

continued pulse releases of freshwater from Lake Okeechobee would further

degrade the water quality of the estuaries and continue the high fluctuations in

salinity. This would have a continued adverse affect on Johnson’s sea grass, and

it is possible that the spatial extent of this seagrass would continue to decline.

Loss of additional SAV could affect federally listed species such as sea turtles

and manatees by reducing available grazing areas. The loss of suitable habitat

for smaller fishes and further decline of water quality would also likely have an

adverse effect on the smalltooth sawfish. Smalltooth sawfish may be especially

vulnerable to coastal habitat degradation due to their affinity to shallow,

estuarine systems. Because of the slow individual growth, late maturation, and

low fecundity, long-term commitments to habitat protection are necessary for the

eventual recovery of the species (NMFS, 2000).

3.1.9 State-listed species

The Florida burrowing owl was documented in Compartment A. If the owls are

resident to the area and have burrows within Compartment A, burrowing owl

use without the Project could continue until soil subsidence and wetness make it

unacceptable for burrow construction and maintenance. This species generally

uses open upland habitat such as dry prairie or pastures.

Regional environmental trends in the EAA that would continue with or without

the Project, include soil subsidence and gradually increasing soil wetness. As

subsidence continues, slight expansion of wetland habitat may slightly benefit

some wetland dependent species. Region-wide improvements of water quality

would generally benefit state-listed wading birds (little blue heron, tri-colored

heron, snowy egret, reddish egret, white ibis, limpkin, and roseate spoonbill).

Continued adverse affects on listed wading birds could result from the “without

project” condition in both Lake Okeechobee and the WCA since regulation of

surface water levels may compromise ecological needs for flood control needs.

3.1.10 Water Management

The land use of the area should remain primarily agriculture with a growth in

urban areas, primarily at the expense of pasture through 2050. EAA

agricultural activities, and to a certain extent, areas along the Caloosahatchee

and St. Lucie Rivers, utilize canals and culverts associated with Lake

Okeechobee as a source of irrigation water. Although the current configuration

of the lake was designed primarily to provide drainage, flood control and water

supply benefits, the single largest demand on Lake Okeechobee today and

through 2050 is to provide water for agricultural irrigation.

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Wenger 72944 Especificações Página 133