Can fixing the Herbert Hoover Dike reduce harmful discharges to the east and west?
Governor Rick Scott says it will.
The question though is more water good for the lake?
Repairing the dike is a priority because it will keep thousands of people safe around Lake Okeechobee.
Ramon Iglesias at Roland and Mary Ann Martin's Marina and Resort in Clewiston says it's a must for safety, but not discharges.
"Cannot be a solution for discharges," said Iglesias.
Governor Rick Scott highlighted his efforts to speed up repairs to the dike with his budget request for $50 million to help the federal project, during an appearance in Clewiston Thursday.
The governor initially made the proposal in October.
He also believes repairing the dike allows more water to be held in the lake giving the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers more flexibility.
"The biggest thing we can do is if you think about it, repair the dike that can hold way more water than any reservoir," said Scott.
The Army Corps is looking into funding a study to see if repairs can allow more water.
Ramon says it's not ideal to have more water as it can be harmful to the lake.
"Vegetation in Lake Okeechobee dissipates," said Iglesias.
