Partial restoration is the preferred alternative for river restoration that has been supported by almost all scientific assessments of the Ocklawaha Restoration Project, all agency recommendations, two environmental impact statements and conservation organizations across the state. This plan restores the river flows and levels, as well as floodplain function, to pre-dam construction conditions by breaching the dam at the natural river channel, west of the main Rodman Dam structure. This plan requires limited removal of/or alteration of structures or the land. Rodman Park fishing docks and ramps would still be maintained.
The Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s Greenway Plan states, “The Governor and Cabinet, sitting as the Board of Trustees of the Internal Improvement Trust Fund, have established a policy that the Ocklawaha River should be “partially restored” with FDEP as the lead agency. However, the Legislature has not appropriated funds for this purpose. If funds are made available and permits are issued, it is the intent of FDEP to undertake this restoration.”
4Ocklawaha Restoration - Proposed Restoration Plan