Ocala.com staff writer Nathan Crabbe reported on the dedication of the Frank Stronach Plant Science Center in Citra yesterday. Mr. Stronach, the billionaire founder of Magna International, recently bought the Adena Springs Ranch and applied for a 13 mgd consumptive use permit from the St. Johns River Water Management District. A group of protesters, including Florida Spring Institute founder Bob Knight, gathered otuside of the event to challege the permit and highlight the potential damage to Florida's already imperiled aquifer and springs. Read the entire story: Water-issue protesters greet UF's Stronach Center dedication.
The Gainesville Sun published another excellent editorial about Florida's current water crisis today. The Sun points to the increase in sinkholes, including the Jonesville sinkhole that opened up this week and nearly swallowed an entire house, as further evidence of the negative effects of excessive water withdrawals. The editorial asks what responsibility the State and Water Management Districts should take in helping those affected by these no-so-natural disasters. Read Florida crumbling.
In a positive story, The Suwannee Democrat's Jeffry Boatright published an article about the use of reclaimed water to restore White Lake in Live Oak. Read how the lake will be restored here.
On Friday, May 18, The Suwannee River Water Management District (SRWMD) Governing Board Selection Committee will meet to interview and nominate a new Executive Director.The meeting begins at 8:00 a.m. and is open to the public.
The four finalist for the position are:
Steve Minnis - The current Government Affairs Director for the SRWMD.
Cliff Lewis - Assistant Branch Chief at the Georgia Environmental Protection Division.
Ann Shortell - Water Policy Director in the Scott Administration who is currently responsible for overseeing water management district activities.
Chuck Walter – Currently Director of Science and information at Applied Sciences Consulting; Formerly City of Tampa Stormwater Director
The Gainesville Sun continued their excellent water coverage today with an opinion piece by Steve Lodle. Lodle analyzes the composition of the recently formed "stakeholder committee" put together by the St. Johns and Suwannee River Water Management Districts. He notes that while there are no expert hydrologists (like Dr. Bob Knight who was not selected by the committee despite his preeminence in the field) there are multiple representatives from the mining and fertilizer industry. ReadLook who's deciding the future of your water.
The Gainesville Time's Ashley Fielding reported that the Chattahoochee river was named one of the top 10 endangered rivers in the United States for the first time since 2000. For more see Chattahoochee back on list of endangered rivers.
Silver Spring & Florida's Imperiled Waters Forum
Tuesday, May 15th 6 p.m.
Wyndham Jacksonville Riverwalk
1515 Prudential Drive, Jacksonville 32207 Click here for a map and directions.
Speakers will include: Dr. Bob Knight, the Director of the Florida Springs Institute; John Moran, the renowned nature photographer; and Guy Marwick, founding director of the Silver River Museum and Executive Director of the Felburn Foundation. These experts and springs enthusiasts will discuss the dire conditions of many our springs, lakes, and rivers and how you can get involved.
The forum will include an in-depth discuss about Adena Springs Ranch and the significant impact that this large-scale cattle operation could have on Silver Springs, a National Natural Landmark, and the Silver River, an Outstanding Florida Water.
In a widely published editorial this weekend Southwest Florida Water Management District Executive Director Blake Guillory asserts that the district remains strong despite recent budget cuts. Among other accomplishments, Guillory cites the streamlining of the environmental resource permitting process and the reorganization of regulatory staff. Environmental resource permits are now typically issued within 48 hours. Guillory credits these programs, and others, with reducing the district's operational budget by $20 million. Read the editorialhere. It remains to be seen, however, what effects reduced district funding and streamlined environmental permitting will have on long term water supply and quality.
A Sunday opinion piece by Jimmy Orth, Executive Director of the St. Johns Riverkeeper, on Jacksonville.com highlighted the importance of protecting Silver Springs in light of the Adena Springs Ranch permit application. Read more atSilver Springs water must be protected.
Judith Hushon published an editorial at naplenews.com calling on the the Environmental Protection Agency to adopt and implement freshwater, marine, and estuarine numeric nutrient criteria in Florida. Read Mrs. Hushon's editorial atWhy is it so hard to achieve good water quality standards?
Ron Cunningham of the Gainesville Sun wrote a poignant opinion piece on Sunday criticizing the St. Johns and Suwannee River Water Management Districts for passing over the highly respected scientist and environmental advocate Dr. Bob Knight for a seat on their stakeholder committee.
The Miami Herald's Curtis Morgan reported Sunday that South Florida had reduced its water use by 20% from 2000 to 2010. Read how these reductions were achieved atSouth Florida cuts water use by 20 percent.
The Editorial Board at Ocala.com criticized the St. Johns River Water Management District for calling on residents and businesses "to do everything we can to conserve" while the district refuses to consider a moratorium on new consumptive use permits. Read the editorial atDo everything we can to conserve.
