FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

                                                                       

Contact:  Pete Winton, Lee County Administration,
               (239) 335-2777

                       

BOARD APPROVES VA HOSPITAL RESOLUTION/ADOPTS POLICY POSITION ON CHAIN OF LAKES DRAWDOWN

 

FORT MYERS, Fla. (November 4, 2003) - The Board of Lee County Commissioners today approved the following items during its regular weekly meeting.  They are:

 

VA Hospital - Adopted and sent a resolution requesting the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs consider Southwest Florida Regional Medical Center Facility - when vacated - for a VA hospital.  The action makes the federal government aware of this area's desire and need for enhanced veterans health care services.  The resolution reads as follows:

 

RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF LEE COUNTY, FLORIDA URGING THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS AND THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS TO CONSIDER A VACANT HOSPITAL IN FORT MYERS, FLORIDA FOR A NEW VA HOSPITAL

 

Whereas:  The Board of Lee County Commissioners wishes to apprise the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and Congress of an opportunity to locate Florida's next Veteran Affairs Hospital in Fort Myers; and

 

Whereas:  The closest VA Medical Center to Fort Myers is in St. Petersburg, more than two hours away.  Lee County has a VA Clinic that was expanded four years ago but already has outgrown its capacity; and

 

Whereas:  Lee County (Fort Myers-Cape Coral MSA) with 500,000 population is one of the fastest growing areas in the country.  Southwest Florida (the five-county area) has a population of one million and a projected veterans population of more than 100,000; and

 

Whereas:  Recently, a health care provider announced the merging of two of its local hospitals, leaving Southwest Regional Medical Center - a 400-bed, full-service facility - vacant within the next three to five years; and

 

Whereas:  With Southwest Florida's growing retiree and veterans population this is a wonderful opportunity to serve the future VA needs of this area;

 

Now, therefore be it resolved that the Board of County Commissioners of Lee County, Florida:

 

Do hereby request the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs incorporate this opportunity into its future planning of the cost/benefit/demand for a VA hospital in Southwest Florida.

 

River Flow/Estuaries - Approved the following policy position for Caloosahatchee River, Estuary, Lake Okeechobee and Kissimmee Basin water management:

 

  1. Lake Discharges.  Promote and expect Lake management regime that does not cause maximum flows to exceed 2800 cfs at Franklin Lock as an average for any sustained period (commonly considered a 30 day period), nor drop below 500 cfs.  (Particularly critical for seven months)

 

  1. WS/E  Promote an operating WS/E schedule for Lake Okeechobee that can drop the Lake elevation to 12 feet MSL by end of dry season to achieve the target above.

 

  1. Fast Track.  Support fast tracking storage options in the Caloosahatchee River basin, with consideration to the local government of jurisdiction.  (Rehydration is a fast track option).

 

  1. Kissimmee.  Oppose any Kissimmee basin optional drawdown that will cause additional discharges above the 2800 cfs target above.

 

  1. Supporting Information.  Ask the District for the following information:  (a)  water demand, release, and evaporation estimates for the dry season (from now to end of May) upon which they are making their operational decisions.  (b)  Any drawdown releases made into Lake Okeechobee from October 1 to present, which will indicate the degree to which the 9 County coalition was given accurate information.  (Note: the County coalition had been raising the question since the summer, so an early date may be appropriate.  October 1 was selected because SFWMD staff made a presentation and responded to questions at the October meeting stating the Upper Chain of Lakes drawdown had not yet occurred.)

 

  1. Attorney Briefings.  Ask the County Attorney's office to keep appraised of the Martin County situation, and to assess the impact of the Special Master on Everglades Restoration, and the operations of the USACOE and SFWMD to the extent that it affects Lee County.

 

  1. Press Releases.  Ask the District why it is releasing press information on the advantages of Lake Toho drawdown, without releasing press information about the District documented damage to our estuary (and St Lucie also).  This looks more to influence the SFWMD governing board than the public.  Also ask the District whether natural conditions of evaporation and water demand will also achieve an acceptable drawdown, as opposed to this unnatural release when the Lake is already too high.

 

  1. Other agencies.  Ask FDEP, USFWS, and FFWCC upon what basis they are being silent or supportive of the Chain of Lakes drawdown, without consideration of continuing impacts on the estuaries.  Ask whether they would be supportive of a delay to later in the season when the Lake would be much lower naturally.  (In 2000, the Lake dropped 2 feet in a 6 week period due to normal demand and evaporation, and another foot was released at hi pulse discharges, adversely affecting the estuary.)

 

  1. 3rd Party review.  Ask a relatively independent body to provide monthly briefings of the condition of the estuary, with press releases.

 

Mall Hearings - Directed to two public hearings the consideration of a development agreement between Lee County and the owners and developers of the Gulf Coast Town Center DRI.  The proposed agreement governs the mitigation of the transportation impacts of the Gulf Coast Town Center DRI.  The dates are Nov. 25 and Dec. 9 at 9:30 a.m. 

Dock Facilities - Requested funding from the West Coast Inland Navigation District for $78,089 to build a dock facility at Caloosahatchee Regional Park.  On October 10, 2003 the Waterways Advisory Committee approved a request from the Lee County Parks and Recreation Department for funding from WCIND in the amount of $78.088.50 to construct the Caloosahatchee Regional Park docking facility.  The Parks Dept. has obtained the permits necessary to construct a dock and a kayak launch at the Regional Park.  Funding will be for the construction of a docking facility to allow motorized vessels traveling the river to access the park.  Additional funding is being supplied by the Tourist Development Council for the construction of the non-motorized vessel launch and docking facility at the park.  Additional funds are available from WCIND subject to a resolution from the county and approval from WCIND.