FWC and SFWMD report extensive demucking and plantings; agencies show early ecological gains

Agency presenters highlighted this summer’s demucking and planting work on Lake Okeechobee and nearby systems. SFWMD’s Jennifer Reynolds described a demucking operation at a J& S Fish Camp boat lock, saying crews removed about 8,000 cubic yards of muck at that site to improve navigation and habitat. Reynolds emphasized that low lake levels allowed agencies to take advantage of opportunities for muck removal and nearshore restoration.

Tom Reinert, regional director for the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, reported that FWC’s recent effort removed what agency staff described as over 1,000,000 cubic yards of vegetation and muck and that natural regrowth of native species is already visible at treated sites. Reinert credited the contractor Texas Aquatics for completing work after a contractor change and said FWC plans additional plantings in 2027 (bulrush, sawgrass, eelgrass and other natives). Public commenters and commissioners urged continuing funding and planning for spoil-site capacity and long-term legacy-sediment strategies.