By: Ali Schmitz, Treasure Coast Newspapers
The Treasure Coast will be in the legislative session spotlight again this year as state Senate President Joe Negron — in his final term as president — focuses on delivering the most effective reservoir to curb Lake Okeechobee discharges that pollute local waters.
Negron, R-Stuart, said his 2018 priority is making sure the South Florida Water Management District properly implements Senate Bill 10, the 2017 bill he championed to secure state funding and set ambitious deadlines for a reservoir south of the lake.
Critics say the district isn't designing a large enough reservoir to do the job right. Negron said he'll encourage the district to swap land and terminate leases to secure enough land to properly store and clean water before sending it south to the thirsty Everglades…