What is environmental impact of Lake Okeechobee discharge into St. Lucie River?

Published On: Aug 09 2013 06:01:49 PM EDT
STUART, Fla. -

There is no question the discharge from Lake Okeechobee into the St. Lucie River is having an environmental impact. The question is just how much of an impact is it having?

Evan Miller grew up along the river and said it's hard to watch the millions of gallons of discharge pollute the river he loves.

"It's just angered the community and we've all united to really let our voices be heard on this problem," Miller said.

Many people along the river, including Miller, believe the water is toxic, killing fish and wildlife in the area and is making the fish in the river unsafe to eat.

Officials disagree.

There's no question the water is toxic. It's a murky brown in most places, coated in blue-green algae in others. You're no longer allowed to swim in the river.

But the Martin County Health Department said it's safe to eat fish caught in the river.

Don't tell that to Arianna Vinardell of Port St. Lucie. She loves to fish near the Roosevelt Bridge. But Friday, she was tossing back everything she caught.

"They breathe the water. They eat things that are in here. The water is on them and in their gills," Vinardell pointed out. "Why would you want to eat that? It just doesn't seem OK."

The Health Department, though, said the flesh of the fish does not absorb the toxins. Health officials advise not to fish in areas where the blue-green algae are thick, but outside those areas are safe. Most of all, they stress using common sense and not to eat a fish that seems out of the ordinary.

As for the water killing fish and wildlife, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission said Friday that's just not happening. Officials there told WPBF 25 News they have not had one single report of a fish-kill in the St. Lucie River.

Miller finds that hard to believe and is planning a protest for Sunday. He expects thousands of people to line the river between Stuart Beach and Jensen Beach. They will write a message saying, "Save our rivers now."

"I think we're going to have to keep all the people that we can united as one and keep on doing this as long as we have to," Miller said.


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