Digital Web Board is Now Open for Public Comment on the 2018 South Florida Environmental Report

Oct. 3, 2017

Digital Web Board is Now Open for Public Comment

on the 2018 South Florida Environmental Report

The District enhances transparency and accessibility by organizing public feedback through online forum

The South Florida Environmental Report details a year's worth of science, engineering and environmental restoration progress to improve the Everglades, Lake Okeechobee, the Kissimmee Basin and South Florida coastal areas.

West Palm Beach, FL - The South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) is utilizing a dedicated web board to provide full public access for the agency's annual South Florida Environmental Report (SFER). Underscoring the agency's efforts for transparency, this enhanced process allows the public to comment and review all comments of those participating in the SFER review.

Participants can provide comments on Volume I chapters and appendices of the 2018 SFER through the SFER Web Board beginning today. The tentative date for posting the entire report is Oct. 23, 2017. The review period will continue until all chapters of the report have been posted for a minimum of three weeks (end date to be determined based on date of last posting).

"This SFER is a critical report highlighting the important work of scientists and engineers," said SFWMD Executive Director Ernie Marks. "By modernizing the public review and feedback process we are encouraging all interested parties, including environmental stakeholders, private industry and members of the public to participate and let their voice be heard."

Marking its 20th year of publication, the SFER presents dozens of reports in a three-volume publication that compiles scientific, fiscal, program reports and permit compliance documentation. In past years, feedback has been collected through various channels and forums including the digital web board, public meetings and events as well as phone calls and emails with the SFWMD and Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP).

The process of utilizing the web board as the sole repository for comments will centralize the SFER review and provide an easily-tracked location for the sender and receiver regarding public comment.

Utilizing the web board will require commenters to register by providing a name and e-mail address. To register visit the following link: http://sfwmd.websitetoolbox.com/register/register

For more information regarding registering or accessing the web board, please contact Kim Chuirazzi at [email protected] or (561) 682-2425.

Media Contact:

Randy Smith | [email protected] | Cell: (561)-682-6197 | Cell: 561-389-3386

The South Florida Water Management District is a regional governmental agency that manages the water resources in the southern part of the state. It is the oldest and largest of the state's five water management districts. Our mission is to protect South Florida's water resources by balancing and improving flood control, water supply, water quality and natural systems.

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