Journal Article

Institutional Evolution in Lake Okeechobee Management in Florida: Characteristics, Impacts, and Limitations

Podesta, Guillermo, Letson, David, Miralles-Wilhelm, Fernando, Ahmad, Sajjad, Broad, Kenneth, Vedwan, Neeraj

2008

Overview

The management of Lake Okeechobee in Florida has undergone significant changes in the last decade. Socio-political, environmental and demographic factors have driven changes in the environmental and water policy, which in turn have led to wide-ranging institutional changes and a shift toward multiobjective planning and implementation in the Lake management. This article describes the changes in the philosophy and practice of water resources management in South Florida hydrologic system, of which Lake Okeechobee is a crucial component. The impacts of the changes on management goals and decision processes are illustrated through a case study of the use of climate information in Lake management. The article concludes with a brief examination of the implications of the institutional changes, including greater public participation, for the long-term sustainability of the social-ecological system in South Florida.

• Publisher: Springer Netherlands,Springer,Springer Nature B.V
• Subject: Atmospheric Sciences / Case studies / Citizen participation / Civil Engineering / climate / Decision making / Earth and Environmental Science / Earth Sciences / Earth, ocean, space / Environment / Environmental changes / Environmental engineering / Environmental policy / Exact sciences and technology / Florida / Geotechnical Engineering & Applied Earth Sciences / Hydrogeology / Hydrology / Hydrology. Hydrogeology / Hydrology/Water Resources / Innovations / Integrated approach / Lakes / Multiobjective planning / Natural resources / philosophy / planning / Problem solving / Public participation / Science / Social-ecological systems / Stakeholders / Studies / water management / Water policy / Water resources / Water resources management