The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is asking for public comment as it begins work on new rules regulating Lake Okeechobee discharges that last year triggered widespread toxic algae.
The corps announced a series of public meetings beginning in February. Future workshops and opportunities to review draft documents are also planned.
The new rules are part of a billion-dollar refurbishment of Lake Okeechobee's dike. The effort is scheduled to be complete in 2022 after an infusion of funding in response to toxic algae.
Lake Okeechobee is at the heart of debate over toxic algae. The state's largest lake was drastically altered as part of a massive Everglades drainage effort making way for modern Florida.
Gov. Ron DeSantis said this week he has been in touch with President Donald Trump about managing the lake at a lower level, to help stem the flow of toxic algae.
