4. Parity with the Harris Chain: We demand that Lake Okahumpka be treated with the same environmental

Board of County Commissioners Regular Meeting · 2026-05-26 · agenda_item

A group called SOLO, representing concerned residents of Wildwood and Sumter County, is petitioning officials to take action regarding Lake Okahumpka. They are demanding that the lake be treated with the same environmental priority and funding as the Harris Chain of Lakes. The petition highlights concerns about the lake becoming a stagnant marsh, leading to economic loss, ecological collapse, and public safety hazards due to invasive vegetation and accumulated muck. The proposal calls for an inter-agency task force to coordinate efforts to prevent the ecological and recreational collapse of the lake. This item is currently under review by the Board of County Commissioners. Potential work could involve site clearing and grading of invasive vegetation, stormwater management, and potentially dredging or muck removal, followed by landscaping and habitat restoration. Contractors specializing in environmental remediation, site preparation, and landscaping may find opportunities as this initiative moves forward.