Hi folks,
Despite our best efforts and a crowd that overflowed three rooms, the SJRWMD board approved Seminole's permit request to pump millions of gallons per day from the St. Johns.
While this is a very discouraging development, the huge turnout - about 300 people spent all day at the meeting - let the District know that we are not going to put up with this any more.
The vote was 5-4 in favor of the permit, but at least a few members expressed genuine concern about the project and the need for more science and real conservation.
The next steps are:
1) Appeal this ruling
2) Bring together all of the parties who opposed this plan into a single, cohesive group that can address the larger issues related to water conservation on a state level
3) Begin a major push to reform the St. Johns River Water Management District, including pushing for elected representation on the board
Thanks to everyone who showed up or sent letters and e-mails. Please do not be discouraged! We may have lost the battle, but we will win the war! I will be posting media accounts of the decision at www.MyFloridaRiver.com.
Thanks,
Steve
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Urgent Action needed to protect the St. Johns River
Dear Friends,
In less than two weeks, on April 13, 2009, the Governing Board of the St. Johns River Water Management District will vote on whether or not to issue the Yankee Lake permit that will allow Seminole County to begin to remove freshwater from the St. Johns River. This permit is for 5.5 million gallons a day (MGD) and could eventually increase to 55 MGD. Other counties and utilities are watching this decision because they, too, want to remove hundreds of millions of gallons of water from the St. Johns and Ocklawaha Rivers to continue to grow at unsustainable rates.
Make no mistake, this is historic decision, and the Board needs to hear from those of us who love the St. Johns. We want to send hundreds of emails to the board next week, and we will need you, your friends, and families to accomplish our goal.
PLEASE forward this email to as many of your contacts as possible. Click on the link below and/or go to our website, stjohnsriverkeeper.org, where you can learn more about this issue, email the board members, and Governor Charlie Crist.
Make no mistake, this is an uphill battle. Despite the odds, we’re going to Palatka to fight for the future of the St. Johns. We need people to join us in Palatka on April 13th. The meeting begins at 1:00 PM. Seating will be limited; get there early (See below). If you live in the Jacksonville area, we have charter bus to take us to Palatka. Email me for reservations-write BUS in the message line.
Thank you for your help and support. The St. Johns really needs us. We must keep fighting to protect our rivers and springs. Their future, our future, depends on our efforts.
Hope to see some of you in Palatka.
For the River,
Neil
Neil A. Armingeon
St. Johns Riverkeeper
2800 University Blvd.
Jacksonville, FL 32211
904-256-7591
narming@ju.edu
stjohnsriverkeeper.org
Ubi dubium ibi libertas
SAY “NO” TO WATER WITHDRAWALS
HELP PROTECT THE ST. JOHNS AND OCKLAWAHA RIVERS
Green “pin” marks the location of the proposed Yankee Lake facility. Red line represents the pipeline to the St. Johns.
On April 13th, the Governing Board of the St. Johns River Water Management District (SJRWMD) will vote on a permit from Seminole County to withdraw an average of 5.5 million gallons of water a day (MGD) from the St. Johns River. Seminole County’s Yankee Lake facility would eventually be able to withdraw up to 55 MGD.
This initial permit from Seminole County represents the beginning of an Alternative Water Supply (AWS) program that could eventually result in the withdrawal of over 260 million gallons of water a day (MGD) from the St. Johns and Ocklawaha.
This is not just about the future of the St. Johns and Ocklawaha. This is a fight to protect all of our water resources in Florida - our aquifer, rivers, and springs.
Here is how you can help:
1) Attend the SJRWMD Governing Board meeting in Palatka on Monday, April 13th at 1:00 p.m. where they will decide the fate of the Seminole County water withdrawal permit. St. Johns Riverkeeper will be providing bus transportation from Jacksonville to Palatka.
SJRWMD Headquarters
4049 Reid Street
Palatka, FL 32177
2) Send an e-mail to the SJRWMD Governing Board members and Governor Charlie Crist and let them know that you oppose surface water withdrawals and support water conservation.
Click here to learn more and to send an e-mail today.
Read these articles for more information about the threats to our water resources:
Put the public before the pirates, Ocala Star-Banner
http://www.ocala.com/article/20090325/OPINION/903251007
Groveland plans an April rally to drum up support in water war, Orlando Sentinel
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/local/lake/orl-lk-county-niagara-032309,0,2309985.story
Ocklawaha River: Insult Upon Injury, The Ledger
http://www.theledger.com/article/20090324/NEWS/903245007/1036?Title=Ocklawaha-River-Insult-Upon-Injury
Who gets aquifer access? Answer is telling, Orlando Sentinel
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/columnists/orl-lauren-ritchie-031109,0,838414.column
We think: Water managers' efforts to feed development starve efforts to fight it, Orlando Sentinel
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/opinion/orl-edped072030709mar07,0,2551277.story
Central Florida politicians wearing blinders, Orlando Sentinel
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/opinion/orl-edphealy0109mar01,0,1709812.column
We think: The latest plans to address water demands is a nightmare, Orlando Sentinel
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/opinion/orl-edped271022709feb27,0,7995351.story
Now is the time to protect Florida's precious springs, Ocala Star-Banner
http://www.ocala.com/article/20081214/OPINION/812140975
In less than two weeks, on April 13, 2009, the Governing Board of the St. Johns River Water Management District will vote on whether or not to issue the Yankee Lake permit that will allow Seminole County to begin to remove freshwater from the St. Johns River. This permit is for 5.5 million gallons a day (MGD) and could eventually increase to 55 MGD. Other counties and utilities are watching this decision because they, too, want to remove hundreds of millions of gallons of water from the St. Johns and Ocklawaha Rivers to continue to grow at unsustainable rates.
Make no mistake, this is historic decision, and the Board needs to hear from those of us who love the St. Johns. We want to send hundreds of emails to the board next week, and we will need you, your friends, and families to accomplish our goal.
PLEASE forward this email to as many of your contacts as possible. Click on the link below and/or go to our website, stjohnsriverkeeper.org, where you can learn more about this issue, email the board members, and Governor Charlie Crist.
Make no mistake, this is an uphill battle. Despite the odds, we’re going to Palatka to fight for the future of the St. Johns. We need people to join us in Palatka on April 13th. The meeting begins at 1:00 PM. Seating will be limited; get there early (See below). If you live in the Jacksonville area, we have charter bus to take us to Palatka. Email me for reservations-write BUS in the message line.
Thank you for your help and support. The St. Johns really needs us. We must keep fighting to protect our rivers and springs. Their future, our future, depends on our efforts.
Hope to see some of you in Palatka.
For the River,
Neil
Neil A. Armingeon
St. Johns Riverkeeper
2800 University Blvd.
Jacksonville, FL 32211
904-256-7591
narming@ju.edu
stjohnsriverkeeper.org
Ubi dubium ibi libertas
SAY “NO” TO WATER WITHDRAWALS
HELP PROTECT THE ST. JOHNS AND OCKLAWAHA RIVERS
Green “pin” marks the location of the proposed Yankee Lake facility. Red line represents the pipeline to the St. Johns.
On April 13th, the Governing Board of the St. Johns River Water Management District (SJRWMD) will vote on a permit from Seminole County to withdraw an average of 5.5 million gallons of water a day (MGD) from the St. Johns River. Seminole County’s Yankee Lake facility would eventually be able to withdraw up to 55 MGD.
This initial permit from Seminole County represents the beginning of an Alternative Water Supply (AWS) program that could eventually result in the withdrawal of over 260 million gallons of water a day (MGD) from the St. Johns and Ocklawaha.
This is not just about the future of the St. Johns and Ocklawaha. This is a fight to protect all of our water resources in Florida - our aquifer, rivers, and springs.
Here is how you can help:
1) Attend the SJRWMD Governing Board meeting in Palatka on Monday, April 13th at 1:00 p.m. where they will decide the fate of the Seminole County water withdrawal permit. St. Johns Riverkeeper will be providing bus transportation from Jacksonville to Palatka.
SJRWMD Headquarters
4049 Reid Street
Palatka, FL 32177
2) Send an e-mail to the SJRWMD Governing Board members and Governor Charlie Crist and let them know that you oppose surface water withdrawals and support water conservation.
Click here to learn more and to send an e-mail today.
Read these articles for more information about the threats to our water resources:
Put the public before the pirates, Ocala Star-Banner
http://www.ocala.com/article/20090325/OPINION/903251007
Groveland plans an April rally to drum up support in water war, Orlando Sentinel
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/local/lake/orl-lk-county-niagara-032309,0,2309985.story
Ocklawaha River: Insult Upon Injury, The Ledger
http://www.theledger.com/article/20090324/NEWS/903245007/1036?Title=Ocklawaha-River-Insult-Upon-Injury
Who gets aquifer access? Answer is telling, Orlando Sentinel
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/columnists/orl-lauren-ritchie-031109,0,838414.column
We think: Water managers' efforts to feed development starve efforts to fight it, Orlando Sentinel
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/opinion/orl-edped072030709mar07,0,2551277.story
Central Florida politicians wearing blinders, Orlando Sentinel
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/opinion/orl-edphealy0109mar01,0,1709812.column
We think: The latest plans to address water demands is a nightmare, Orlando Sentinel
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/opinion/orl-edped271022709feb27,0,7995351.story
Now is the time to protect Florida's precious springs, Ocala Star-Banner
http://www.ocala.com/article/20081214/OPINION/812140975
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