Istokpoga Swamp

South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) is in charge of how "our" water from this area is to be taken and used in the areas south of us. When there were not as many users of "our" water, supplying them was not the problem as it is today, everyone should realize that the low levels of the lakes in Highlands County is testimony that we can no longer supply the South Florida area with the water they need to exist, and it is now time for them to explore other avenues to get the water they need elsewhere.

Nature is not cooperating, and supplying the amounts of water necessary to be able to share with our neighbors to the south without doing major damage to our own ecosystem is no longer possible. SFWMD wants to be able to lower the level of Lake Istokpoga to a level that could easily destroy the lake as we know it today, it's just that simple. We need to forget the politically correct rubbish and just look at it as it is, an impending disaster.

I'll not try to make my case in such a limited space, it's too complicated and the statistics are overwhelming, however, a small group of people in this area are trying to stop this insane request and have been instrumental in working with Highlands County in an attempt to get all of the lakes' problems resolved and have a great Web site that explains all that is happening and is up to date, see SOS-Florida-Lakes@googlegroups.com.

It is imperative that SFWMD be stopped with this drawdown as no one wins in the long run, and good common sense should rule for a change. Please let your voice be heard in Highlands County and please support the efforts of SOS. The time is now, as this is all taking place now, and if SFWMD has its way, Lake Istokpoga could easily turned into a swamp.

Darrel Johnston
Sebring