SJR magazine publisher Steve Barnes running for Florida State House

SJR Magazine publisher Steve Barnes is running for Florida State House, District 34. For more information, please visit www.SteveBarnes2010.com.


(Political advertising paid for and approved by Steve Barnes, Democrat for Florida State House, District 34.)

We've moved!

Thank you all so much for following St. Johns River Magazine. Recently, we have consolidated this publication with our sister site, My Florida River. While the format is a little different, My Florida River is much more comprehensive. You will still find articles about the St. Johns River, but there is also news about other water issues in Florida, including the Gulf oil spill. In the coming months, that site will also be updated to include more blogging features so that you can share your views.
Thank you,
Steve

Veto SB 2080

Dear readers,

Please ask Gov. Crist to veto SB 2080, which would dramatically reduce the opportunity for public input into water policy decisions made by the water management districts. Below is the letter I sent. Please feel free to use it as a guide, but do add your own language. Failure to do so often reduces the weight given to your letter. If you e-mail your letter, please write: "Veto SB 2080" in the subject line. E-mails may be sent to: Charlie.Crist@MyFlorida.com.

Dear Governor Crist:

I am writing to ask that you please veto SB 2080. While the bill has some positive aspects, I am very troubled by an amendment that would reduce public participation in the creation of water policy.
Traditionally, the Board of Governors, whose members you appoint, hold public hearings on water policy that allow the citizens of Florida to express their views on these vital and sometimes controversial issues. SB 2080 does away with that process and vests the power to make sweeping decisions in the hands of a single administrator.
I believe this is counter to Florida’s tradition of encouraging public participation and your own prior support for such public involvement.
As Florida’s water supply problems become more challenging, it is critical that our water management districts have the opportunity to hear from citizens with diverse points of view and that a wide range of options be considered within the context of public forums.
I urge you to veto this bill and to send the legislature the message that public policies in Florida are best when the public is allowed to participate in their creation.

Thank you for your support.
Sincerely,

Steve Barnes
Vice Chair
Seminole Soil and Water Conservation District
407-417-1628
Steve@SJRmag.com

SJRWMD approves withdrawals from St. Johns River

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

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

Support water conservation funding

Florida's Soil and Water Conservation Districts are facing budgetary cuts that would significantly reduce our ability to perform our obligations. Please contact your representatives in the State House and Senate and let them know you support continued funding for these vital state agencies.

Sample letter:

Dear Representative

As an Agriculture and Natural Resources Policy Committee member or Representative, we felt it imperative to send you this information for consideration. Your support can help provide critical help to Florida’s Soil and Water Conservation Districts.

Please see our urgent request to help over 300 public officials, 60 districts and 60 employees with a renewal of our contract of only $50,000 with Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Office of Agriculture Water Policy.

This critical contract is the ONLY statewide source of information to help Florida’s soil and water conservation districts, keeping them in operation and in compliance with state requirements. As you may already know, these districts and programs provide millions through private, state and federal dollars which benefit the state and citizens of Florida.

Many of our soil and water conservation districts have lost their county funding and this is the only statewide help they receive.

$50,000
Contract Funding Renewal 2009

Request: Renewal of Association of Florida Conservation District’s (AFCD) $50,000 Contract for support services to ALL of Florida’s Soil and Water Conservation Districts (SWCD) through the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Office of Agriculture Water Policy. (FDACS/OAWP)

The funding provided through this contract helps support:
300 Public Officials throughout the state of Florida
60 Soil and Water Conservation Districts (SWCD), which are governmental subdivisions of the State of Florida
68 SWCD District Employees
This is the only funding assistance that goes directly to ALL of our SWCDs. No funds have ever been allocated through the State of Florida to directly assist districts in their mission to implement soil and water conservation practices within their districts.
This contract supports the 300 unpaid elected officials whose districts and programs provide millions through private, state and federal dollars which benefit the state and citizens of Florida.
This contact helps to keep districts in compliance. For instance, if any of our districts are dissolved, due to non-compliance, FDACS has the financial statutory responsibility to create a new district which could possibly cost millions to the Florida taxpayers.
According to F.S. 582.055 and582.08 the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Office of Agricultural Water Policy is to provide assistance to Florida Soil and Water Conservation Districts.
Critical Services Provided by Contract
o Supervisor and Employee Training Presentation which include Supervisor’s powers, duties and legal responsibilities; Supervisor Elections; Sunshine Law; history of districts; conservation programs including cooperative programs, demonstration projects, educational workshops, education programs, and planning and rulemaking; personnel management; funding sources through grants, sponsors, donations, cooperative agreements, and county funding; and compliance and operating procedures. These workshops have been held for individual districts, regions, and for statewide audiences.
o Supporting SWCDs in fulfilling statutory requirements with regards to reporting including: Annual Financial Report through the Department of Financial Services; Independent Audit and reporting for the Auditor General, Special District Fee and Report for the Department of Community Affairs, Division of Treasury Form 014-1009, among others.
o Update a quarterly roster of all the District offices, current elected Supervisors, employees, District Conservationists, and Extension Agents to provide partnership and outreach.
o Review and provide current information for SWCD Supervisor Handbooks.
o Respond to hundreds of requests from District staff and officials for critical District operation information.
o Supervisor Handbook Distribution
o Best Management Practices (BMP) manual distribution.
This contract of $50,000 provides the ONLY source of information for Soil and Water Conservation Districts Statewide.

Water wars continue

Please check out http://www.myfloridariver.com/ for the latest stories about the ongoing water wars. Today, Jacksonville couple to donate $150,000 for legal fight and City of Jacksonville to ask water management district to delay Seminole's plan to pump from the river until ecological studies are complete.

Protest sewage injection into aquifer

From Save our Aquifer:

Dear friends and families,

Here is your chance to participate in a public demonstration! Wednesday, March 4, 2009, participants will be gathering on the sidewalk on the northeast corner of Barton Ave. and Huntington Lane (Rockledge City Hall) to show their concerns and objections to the City's plan to annually inject 180 million gallons of partially treated sewage into the Floridan aquifer, the purest aquifer in Floridan. It is called the Underground Source of Drinking Water (USDW) by State and Federal agencies. It is the aquifer our drinking water comes from.

Once this underground source of drinking water is contaminated with partially treated sewage from the Rockledge Sewage Treatment Plant it will be permanently contaminated with carcinogens, heavy metals, toxic chemicals pharmaceuticals, etc,, and this valuable and viable resource would be lost forever.

Demonstration signs will be made in advance for participants to hold or you may create and bring your own.
Bring your family, friends and neighbors to this important community demonstration.

The right to clean drinking water, and a healthy coastal ecosystem are basic needs. We can not allow the City of Rockledge to take these basic needs away from us, impact our property values, and take away our rights to clean, safe water.

Please plan to attend this important community demonstration asking our local officials to stop this dangerous plan and "Keep Sewage Out!"

Date: Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Time: 5:00 p.m. until dusk
Location: Rockledge City Hall, 1600 Huntington Lane, demonstrators will gather on the corner of Barton Avenue and Huntington Lane


Please forward this information freely.
Sincerely,
Amy Mosher
321-636-2229

Lake County Resolution opposing surface withdrawals from St. Johns

Resolution No. 2009-

A RESOLUTION OPPOSING PROPOSALS TO WITHDRAW WATER FROM THE ST. JOHNS RIVER AND OCKLAWAHA RIVER SYSTEMS; EMPHASIZING WATER CONSERVATION MEASURES AS A MORE APPROPRIATE ALTERNATE SOURCE OF WATER WITHIN THE DISTRICT; PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.

WHEREAS, the St. Johns River, the Ocklawaha River, and their tributaries are outstanding natural resources of irreplaceable value to Lake County and the people of Florida; and

WHEREAS, the St. Johns River Water Management District (SJRWMD), is currently considering plans to withdraw hundreds of millions of gallons per day of surface water from the St. Johns River and Ocklawaha River as an “alternate water supply”; and

WHEREAS, Seminole County is spearheading the aforementioned effort by requesting a permit to withdraw water from the St. Johns River at its Yankee Lake facility; and

WHEREAS, environmental studies evaluating the ecological impacts to the river have not been completed, and Minimum Flows and Levels have not been established for all water bodies within the District affected by plans for surface water withdrawal; and

WHEREAS, the SJRWMD has not met the intent of the 2020 Water Supply Plan adopted by its Board of Governors, which requires meaningful implementation of water conservation measures before developing other alternative water supplies; and

WHEREAS, developing the associated infrastructure for withdrawal, treatment and transmission of surface water from the St. Johns River and Ocklawaha River is estimated to cost billions of dollars, an expense to be borne by Central Florida through water bill rates that are expected to be many times higher than today; thereby placing a burden upon residents, families, businesses and the economy; and

WHEREAS, Florida has one of the highest per-capita rates of domestic water use in the country; a number that has increased dramatically from 102 gallons per day in 1950 to 174 gallons per day in 2000 for residents served by public supply; and

WHEREAS, over 50% of the per capita domestic use of water within the SJRWMD occurs outside of the home for the inefficient irrigations of lawns and landscaping; and

WHEREAS, significant water savings can be realized to meet future needs with less financial burden through meaningful conservation programs, including the effective regulation and enforcement of water use, drought-tolerant landscaping, low-impact development practices, and the limitation of growth to sustainable levels, compatible with the protection of natural resources and quality of life; and

WHEREAS, meaningful, mandatory and enforceable conservation programs have not been established in Central Florida or within the SJRWMD to yield an effective reduction in the per capita domestic use of water; and

WHEREAS, if efforts to withdraw water from the St. Johns River system or Ocklawaha River system prevail and a dependence on that supply is created, the reversal of such water withdrawal, regardless of environmental impacts, will be difficult if not impossible to achieve;








NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY LAKE COUNTY, FLORIDA:

SECTION 1. Lake County hereby opposes the withdrawal of water from the St. Johns River, the Ocklawaha River, or their tributaries for public supply.

SECTION 2. Lake County finds that costly efforts to increase available public water supplies by withdrawing from the St. Johns River system or Ocklawaha River system will have the deleterious effect of perpetuating the ongoing wasteful use of water from all sources, and thus contravene necessary change in behaviors and practices required to ensure environmental sustainability and economic health.

SECTION 3. Lake County urges the SJRWMD and local governments, including its municipalities, to fully exercise their respective authorities to implement aggressive water conservation programs and regulatory measures, coupled with necessary enforcement and responsible growth management, in order to maximize conservation as an effective “alternative water supply.”

SECTION 4. This resolution shall be effective upon adoption.

DONE AND PROCLAIMED by the Board of County Commissioners of Lake County, Florida this 24th day of February, 2009.

BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
LAKE COUNTY, FLORIDA

_________________________________________________
WELTON G. CADWELL, CHAIRMAN

_________________________________________________
JENNIFER HILL, VICE CHAIRMAN

_________________________________________________
ELAINE RENICK, DISTRICT 2

________________________________________________
JIMMY CONNER, DISTRICT 3

______ _________________________________________
LINDA STEWART, DISTRICT 4

ATTEST:

_______________________________________
NEIL KELLY, CLERK TO THE
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
LAKE COUNTY, FLORIDA


APPROVED AS TO FORM AND LEGAL
SUFFICIENCY:

_______________________________________
SANFORD A. MINKOFF
COUNTY ATTORNEY

Lake opposes surface withdrawals from St. Johns River

Just a few moments ago, the Lake County Board of Commissioners passed a resolution opposing withdrawals of surface water from the St. Johns and Ocklawaha rivers. The full version of the resolution will be posted soon.

SJRWMD Board of Governors contact info

Here are the contacts for the people who will be making the final decision on Seminole County's plan to pump millions of gallons of water per day from the St. Johns River. Please write or call to let them know that you oppose the plan prior to the April 13 meeting!

Tell them that at the very least, the District should:
1) Implement stonger conservation measures before tapping the river
2) The District should await the results of its own study, which was designed to determine what ecological harm might result from the plan

Here are the contacts. I'll try to add e-mails soon. (e-mail being sent to their @sjrwmd.com addresses are being intercepted.)

Susan N Hughes
7775 Baymeadows Way, Ste 102
Jacksonville, FL 32256-7538
(904) 730-6270
(904)665-6248
(904) 285-4831


W Leonard Wood
5317 S Fletcher Ave
Fernandina Beach, FL 32034-5326
(904) 277-2467

Hersey A Huffman
1430 Shell Mound Rd
Deltona, FL 32725-2441
(407) 323-1360


Hans G Tanzler III
3965 Ortega Blvd
Jacksonville, FL 32210-4417
(904) 381-9615

Douglas Bourrnique
7925 20th St
Vero Beach, FL 32966-1318
(772) 562-2728
(772) 231-2550

Michael Ertel
330 Windcliffe Ct
Oviedo, FL 32765-8645
(407) 708-7712
(407)687-3654
(407) 359-3372

David Graham
6420 Southpoint Pkwy
Jacksonville, FL 32216-0944
(904) 281-7100

Arlen N Jumper
PO Box 478
Fort Mc Coy, FL 32134-0478
(352) 546-2012

Lake Co. to consider opposing St. Johns withdrawals

The Lake County Board of Commissioners will vote Tuesday, Feb., 24 on a resolution opposing Seminole County's plans to pump millions of gallons of water daily from the St. Johns River. Please try to make the meeting, which begins at 9 a.m. to support this resolution.

The full agenda is available here: http://www.lakecountyfl.gov/board_agendas/board_regular_meetings.aspx

The language of the proposed resolution - based in part on the one passed by the Seminole Soil and Water Conservation District in July, 2008 is below:

Resolution No. 2009-

A RESOLUTION OPPOSING PROPOSALS TO WITHDRAW WATER FROM THE ST. JOHNS RIVER; EMPHASIZING WATER CONSERVATION MEASURES AS A MORE APPROPRIATE ALTERNATE SOURCE OF WATER WITHIN THE DISTRICT; PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.

WHEREAS, the St. Johns River is an outstanding natural resource of irreplaceable value to Lake County and the people of Florida; and

WHEREAS, the St. Johns River Water Management District (SJRWMD), is currently pursuing plans projected to result in the eventual withdrawal of more than 260 million gallons of water per day from the St. Johns River and tributaries as an “alternative water supply”; and

WHEREAS, Seminole County is spearheading the aforementioned effort by requesting a permit to withdraw 5.5 million gallons per day of water from the St. Johns River at its Yankee Lake facility, and has estimated that 80 million gallons per day may be withdrawn in the future; and

WHEREAS, environmental studies evaluating the ecological impacts to the river have not been completed, and Minimum Flows and Levels have not been established for all water bodies within the District affected by plans for surface water withdrawal; and

WHEREAS, the SJRWMD has not met the intent of the 2020 Water Supply Plan adopted by its Board of Governors, which requires meaningful implementation of water conservation measures before developing other alternative water supplies; and

WHEREAS, developing the Yankee Lake facility and associated infrastructure for withdrawal, treatment and transmission is estimated to cost $500 million, an expense to be borne by Central Florida through water bill rates that are expected to be many times higher than today; thereby placing a burden upon residents, families, businesses and the economy; and

WHEREAS, Florida has one of the highest per-capita rates of domestic water use in the country; a number that has increased dramatically from 102 gallons per day in 1950 to 174 gallons per day in 2000 for residents served by public supply; and

WHEREAS, over 50% of the per capita domestic use of water within the SJRWMD occurs outside of the home for the inefficient irrigations of lawns and landscaping; and

WHEREAS, significant water savings can be realized to meet future needs with less financial burden through meaningful conservation programs, including the effective regulation and enforcement of water use, drought-tolerant landscaping, low-impact development practices, and the limitation of growth to sustainable levels, compatible with the protection of natural resources and quality of life; and

WHEREAS, meaningful, mandatory and enforceable conservation programs have not been established in Central Florida or within the SJRWMD to yield an effective reduction in the per capita domestic use of water; and

WHEREAS, if efforts to withdraw water from the St. Johns River prevail and a dependence on that supply is created, the reversal of such water withdrawal, regardless of environmental impacts, will be difficult if not impossible to achieve; and

WHEREAS, on July 15, 2008, the Seminole Soil & Water Conservation District adopted a resolution objecting to the withdrawal of water from the St. Johns River, emphasizing conservation as a more sustainable and cost-effective alternative; and




NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY LAKE COUNTY, FLORIDA:

SECTION 1. Lake County hereby supports the Seminole Soil & Water Conservation District in its opposition to the withdrawal of water from the St. Johns River for public supply, and opposehe issuance by the St. Johns River Water Management District of additional permits to withdraw water from the St. Johns River and its tributaries by other utilities, municipalities or agencies within the district.

SECTION 2. Lake County finds that costly efforts to increase available public water supplies by withdrawing from the St. Johns River will have the deleterious effect of perpetuating the ongoing wasteful use of water from all sources, and thus contravene necessary change in behaviors and practices required to ensure environmental sustainability and economic health.

SECTION 3. Lake County urges the SJRWMD and local governments, including its municipalities, to fully exercise their respective authorities to implement aggressive water conservation programs and regulatory measures, coupled with necessary enforcement and responsible growth management, in order to maximize conservation as an effective “alternative water supply”.

SECTION 4. This resolution shall be effective upon adoption.

DONE AND PROCLAIMED by the Board of County Commissioners of Lake County, Florida this 24th day of February, 2009.

BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
LAKE COUNTY, FLORIDA

_________________________________________________
WELTON G. CADWELL, CHAIRMAN

_________________________________________________
JENNIFER HILL, VICE CHAIRMAN

_________________________________________________
ELAINE RENICK, DISTRICT 2

________________________________________________
JIMMY CONNER, DISTRICT 3

______ _________________________________________
LINDA STEWART, DISTRICT 4

ATTEST:


_______________________________________
NEIL KELLY, CLERK TO THE
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
LAKE COUNTY, FLORIDA


APPROVED AS TO FORM AND LEGAL
SUFFICIENCY:

_______________________________________
SANFORD A. MINKOFF
COUNTY ATTORNEY

SJRWMD Board of Governors to decide St. Johns' fate

Special Board meeting scheduled for April 13

PALATKA, Fla., Jan. 30, 2009 - The St. Johns River Water Management District has scheduled a special public Governing Board meeting for April 13 to consider the recommended order in the pending case that challenged the District's proposed issuance of a permit to Seminole County to withdraw surface water from the St. Johns River for public supply and reclaimed water supply augmentation.

The meeting will be held at 1 p.m. at District headquarters, 4049 Reid St., Palatka. The District's goal in scheduling the special meeting is to accommodate members of the public interested in attending.

Prior to issuing a final order at this meeting, the Board will consider the administrative law judge's recommended order, subsequent comments submitted by the involved parties and oral arguments by the parties.

At the special meeting, the involved parties will have an opportunity to address the Board directly, and members of the public who have not been involved in the hearing process also will be given an opportunity to address the Board.

The Board was originally scheduled to consider Seminole County's permit application in March 2008. Because of petitions objecting to the District staff recommendation for approval of the county-owned water utility's application to withdraw 5.5 million gallons of water per day (on an average annual basis) from the river, the issue went through a state administrative hearing process.

"Cheap" water costly to environment

Hi folks,

Please check out todays "My Word" column in the Orlando Sentinel.

Thanks,
Steve

Seminole prepares to pump from St. Johns River

Hi folks,

A judge ruled this week that Seminole can move ahead with plans to pump up to 5.5 million gallons of water per day from the St. Johns River. This is a very bad development that will lead to environmental destruction as well as economic problems.

For the sake of my sanity, I am posting all information related to this topic on my other site, www.MyFloridaRiver.com. Please visit for daily updates and to get involved in our letter-writing campaign.

Thanks,
Steve

My Florida River goes live

Hi everyone,

Just wanted to say thanks for reading and invite you to check out my new site, www.MyFloridaRiver.com. The site is designed to become a hub for river, lake and spring advocates around the state. Please check it out and feel free to offer suggestions or provide content.

Thanks,
Steve

Alligator Princess paddles the St. Johns

Wednesday, January 21, 2009
One Woman's Solo Paddle on the St. Johns River

Join us as Michelle Thatcher, Executive Director of the Association of Florida Conservation Districts, takes us on her solo journey, down the historic St. John's River. This is her adventure of getting up close and personal with the river once called the "Nile of the Americas" via alligators, wild hogs, hunters, other river "characters", vine-tangled swamps and wide, shallow marshes. With only a map and compass and her 14 foot kayak, Thatcher may be the first to paddle the entire St. Johns River.

A brief discussion of current environmental issues will precede Thatcher's presentation.

Door opens at 6:30 PM with light snacks and socializing
Program is from 7:00 – 8:45 PM
Admission - free and open to the public
Location - Harry P. Leu Gardens, Orchid Room
1920 N Forest Avenue, Orlando Florida
For directions to Leu Gardens visit:
http://centralfloridasierra.org/

For more information contact Kalina at:
407-619-5908 or email
kwsierra@hotmail.com
or go to
http://centralfloridasierra.org/

Aquifer Storage and Recovery threatens wells

A good story about aquifer storage and recovery, a growing, and to my mind, ill-advised attempt at managing our water supplies. This story explains that residents near an ASR well are being told not to use their wells, even though officials insist there is no danger.

http://www.floridatoday.com/article/20090105/NEWS01/901050316/1006

Volunteers needed for Invasive Plant Removal

Hi everyone,

Please consider volunteering to help remove invasive air potatoes from the Spring Hammock Preserve Sat., Jan. 24 from 10 a.m. to noon. This is a fun event that helps keep a wonderful natural area from becoming completely overgrown by this aggressive plant. Please click on the flier for more details.


If you would like to participate under the banner of the Seminole Democrats Community Service Team, follow the link below to sign up: http://www.facebook.com/photo_search.php?oid=56370811162&view=user#/group.php?gid=56370811162

Seminole Soil and Water Conservation District meeting schedule

With our trip behind us, it's back to work. Please visit the Seminole Soil and Water Conservation District's new FaceBook site for information about upcoming meetings and events:

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=53763106353#/group.php?gid=35604503821

Additional information is available on our website: www.conserveseminole.org.

Happy Holidays,
Steve