Environmental Issues

At Adventure Outpost, our main focus is enhancing the appreciation and sense of stewardship of Florida's natural environments.
We do this by helping visitors (and locals) experience our natural areas and learn about their amazing wildlife and human history.
We prefer to keep politics out of the mainstream of our dialog during tours and other correspondence. However, we feel
strongly, that such discussions and the sharing of such information do have their place in our overall attempt to preserve our
wild areas for future generations. So, on this page, we post items of a more political and controversial nature. Please note,
most of these entries are submitted to Adventure Outpost from outside sources, so there may be some
comments or statements with which we don't completely agree.

Please feel free to send comments or entries for inclusion. Thanks.

VERY IMPORTANT!! If you only have time and energy to actively contribute to one issue, the impending "water wars" in Florida is perhaps the biggest threat to Florida's environmental health that we're currently facing. Please do what you can!! The first couple of entries pertain to this important issue.

Ocala Water Wars Summit - Please forward - No rivers are safe !! North Central Florida environmental activists, political leaders, journalists and scientist to address St. Johns River Water Management District's plan to drain water from the Ocklawaha River. Ocala, Florida (September 18. 2007) Marion County residents and many of their neighbors in North Central Florida are fighting mad over the St. Johns River Water Management District's (SJRWMD) plan to pump up to 108 million gallons daily from the Ocklawaha River to 20 utilities in Central Florida. That's why the Smart Growth Coalition of North Central Florida (SGC)-- in Conjunction with the Putnam County Environmental Council (PCEC)-- is sponsoring a Ocala Water Wars Summit on Sunday, October 7, from 2:00 to 4:00 at the Marion County Commission Auditorium, McPherson Government Complex, 601 SE 25th Ave., Ocala. Event planners fear environmental damage will occur if SJRWMD's 126- mile, $500 million pipeline is built. They also point out that losing the Ocklawaha River to Central Florida deprives residents of Marion, Putnam and other counties of a possible local water supply for their own future needs. In addition, they question the legality, the necessity, and the methods being used to justify the pipeline. We've assembled a host of qualified people--journalists, elected officials, environmental activists and a scientist--to address these issues, says SGC's Susan Dunn., the summit's moderator. We want to inform the public about the issue, the need for good science, the possible lawsuits and legislative attempts to stop the pipeline, and the need for the public to speak out against what's happening. The key speaker at the October 7th event is Cynthia Barnett, a veteran reporter for Florida Trend magazine, and author of Mirage: Florida and the Vanishing Water of the Eastern U.S. Part investigative reporting, part environmental history, Mirage tells how the eastern half of the nation - historically so wet that early settlers predicted it would never even need irrigation - has squandered so much of its abundant fresh water that it now faces shortages and conflicts. Barnett's book also examines Florida's water wars, the politics of development, and inequities in the price of water, the bottled-water industry, privatization, and new-water-supply schemes. In a glowing review, Publisher's Weekly notes that Mirage "should become vital reading for citizens and policymakers as global concerns over water scarcity grow." Barnett will focus her expertise on the pipeline threat at the Ocala summit. Other summit speakers include Brad Rogers, editor of the Star Banner, Nancy Argenziano, member of Florida's Public Service Commission, State Representative Kurt Kelly; Marion County Commissioner Andy Kesselring, Robin Lewis, environmental consultant, Karen Ahlers, director of the Putnam County Environmental Council, and Guy Marwick, environmental activist, and member of the SGC, Marion Audubon Society, and other organizations. For details call 685-2434 or 694-4461.

A new front in Florida's water wars

A plan would pipe 43-million gallons from Hernando and Citrus to fast-growing Central Florida.

By DAN DeWITT, Times Staff Writer
Published September 20, 2007

The St. John's River Water Management District is backing a proposal to pipe 43-million gallons of water from the Withlacoochee River and Lake Rousseau to fast-growing Central Florida regions such as Clermont, Leesburg and Marion County. Hernando County Commissioners oppose the plan.

BROOKSVILLE - After decades of fending off threats to pump their water south, Hernando and Citrus counties now find themselves fighting a plan to ship water east.

The St. John's River Water Management District is backing a proposal to pipe 43-million gallons of water from the Withlacoochee River and Lake Rousseau, in northern Citrus County, to fast-growing Central Florida regions such as Clermont, Leesburg and Marion County.

It reminded some Hernando residents of the idea, abandoned more than a decade ago, to withdraw water from Lake Rousseau for cities in the Tampa Bay area, and the more recent Council of 100 plan to pump water from northern Florida to South Florida.

As with those ideas, this one inspired fighting words.

"This will happen over my cold, dead corpse," said Hernando County Commissioner David Russell.

"We need to let them know real quick and real soon that we oppose this plan," said Commissioner Chris Kingsley, who is also a board member of the Withlacoochee Regional Water Supply Authority, which covers Hernando, Citrus and Sumter counties.

At a meeting on Wednesday, the council voted to do as Kingsley suggested and to direct its attorney to research whether the proposal is legal.

That question could turn on whether surface water -- the water in lakes and rivers -- is protected under the 11-year-old law that requires local governments to tap their own sources before seeking water elsewhere.

It clearly is, said Dave Moore, executive director of the Southwest Florida Water Management District, who attended Wednesday's meeting.

Russell, a former state representative, agreed: "In my mind, they would have to change state law to get this done."

St. John's officials have argued that surface water is not covered, said Jack Sullivan, executive director of the water supply authority. He believes it is, he said at the meeting on Wednesday, though some of the state's water use policy is unclear, especially if surface water is considered an alternate source.

That is exactly how it is viewed by local governments in Central Florida, said Hal Wilkening, St. John's director of resource management.

The district has directed these communities to find alternate supplies because not enough water remains in the aquifer to feed future development.

St. John's "anticipates that the development of future groundwater projects will be minimal because of stresses on groundwater availability," said a report prepared earlier this year for the Lake County Water Alliance, a collection of cities in the county.

The same report, which was partly paid for by St. John's, estimated demand for water by alliance members would double by 2030.

Wilkening said plans to tap surface water -- still in their early stages -- include the massive Villages project, most of which is in Sumter County and the Southwest Florida Water Management District, commonly known as Swiftmud.

One proposal was presented at a meeting of utilities and local governments in Orlando on July 18. It anticipated pumping water from the lower Ocklawaha and St. John's rivers to the Villages, meaning his district is taking a regional approach.

"There's no back room plan that somebody is going to ship water from the Withlacoochee across Sumter to Lake County," Wilkening said.

Except development patterns almost ensure that will happen, said Joe Murphy, conservation chairman of the Hernando Audubon Society.

"There's no way we're going to say, 'Come on over, harvest some water for Clermont.'"

Dan DeWitt can be reached at dewitt@sptimes.com or (352) 754-6116.

© 2007 • All Rights Reserved • St. Petersburg Times

3/20/07 - Another Attempt to Stop Restoration Of the Ocklawaha River (Thanks to Karen Ahlers for sending this)

Well, they’re trying it again. Rep. Joe Pickens and recently elected Sen. Steve Oelrich have introduced bills in both the House and Senate to create the George Kirkpatrick State Reserve. House Bill 427 and Senate Bill 1930, if passed into law, would make Kirkpatrick Dam and Rodman Reservoir permanent. The new law would be a permanent dam not only to wildlife movement and river restoration, but to free enterprise, entrepreneurship,and the development of a vibrant ecotourism economy for Putnam and Marion counties. Don’t let that happen.

Rep. Pickens HB 427 is on the House Committee on Conservation and State Lands agenda for Wednesday, March 21. Please contact committee members listed below ASAP. Let them know you want Rodman Dam removed so the Ocklawaha River can flow freely once again. Here are just a few of the reasons these bills need to be stopped: · An extended drawdown of Rodman Reservoir must be allowed to scientifically quantify the impacts of nutrients to the St. Johns River. According to wildlife corridor expert Tom Hoctor, Rodman Reservoir is detrimental to conservation of the region’s biodiversity and inconsistent with Florida’s policy to protect and restore a statewide conservation system. Removing the dam and draining Rodman Pool would open the historic path for manatees and migrating fish and restore connectivity between populations of terrestrial species, like the threatened Florida black bear.

In a year where springs protection legislation is being seriously considered, it is ironic to pass a bill that would keep more than 20 second and third magnitude springs permanently flooded.

Florida’s draft manatee protection plan calls for the identification of, access to, and restoration of natural warm water sites. It is unthinkable to permanently deny manatees access to the springs of the Ocklawaha River and to Silver Springs.

A Socio-Economic Study of the Rodman Reservoir by Clyde Diao, PhD of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Diao states: “The impact of the Reservoir on the regional economy of Putnam and Marioncounties is negligible…For the two counties taken as a whole, the impact becomes microscopic.” A restored Ocklawaha River would provide ecotourism opportunities for fishing, camping, kayaking, canoeing, scenic river trips from Palatka to Silver Springs, and historical and archaeological tours. The restoration in itself will be a draw for ecotourists and scientists for years to come.

Passage of this legislation will require continued funding to maintain and replace water control structures, control exotic weeds, operate a lock and dam, and debris removal.

According to American Rivers, more than 650 dams have been removed in the US, and another 58 removed or slated to be removed in 2006. These are dams that no longer serve their intended purpose or where the dam's costs outweigh its benefits. Kirkpatrick Dam is on American Rivers’ list of dams that need to be removed.

Committee members are: Rep. Will S. Kendrick, Chair Phone: (850) 488-7870 or Will.Kendrick@myfloridahouse.gov Rep. Faye Culp, Vice-Chair Phone: (850) 488-2770 or Faye.Culp@myfloridahouse.gov Rep. Richard Machek Phone: (850) 488-5588 or Richard.Machek@myfloridahouse.gov Rep. Mary Brandenburg Phone: (850) 488-0260 or Mary.Brandenburg@myfloridahouse.gov Rep. Charles Chestnut Phone: (850) 488-5794 or Charles.Chestnut@myfloridahouse.gov Rep. Rene Garcia Phone: (850) 487-2197 or Rene.Garcia@myfloridahouse.gov Rep. Doug Holder Phone: (850) 488-1171 or Doug.Holder@myfloridahouse.gov Rep. Will Weatherford Phone: (850) 488-1171 or Will.Weatherford@myfloridahouse.gov Gov. Charlie Crist has long been a supporter of restoration, but let’s not take a chance. Please write or call Gov. Crist today. Thank him for his past support of restoration of the Ocklawaha and express your concern about these bad bills. Governor Charlie Crist The Capitol Tallahassee, FL 32399-0001 Phone: 850-488-7146 Fax: 850-487-0801

Charlie.Crist@myflorida.com For more information contact: Karen Ahlers, President Putnam County Environmental Council PO Box 1836 Interlachen, FL 32148 352-475-1936 www.pcecweb.org Phone: (352) 475-1936 Fax: (352) 475-1078

In recent weeks there has been a huge surge in awareness and concern about the plight of manatees in Crystal River. This sudden media attention was sparked, in large part, by video taken by Tracy Colson. Some of you may remember her as the petite, soft-spoken lady we often meet and chat with at Three Sisters springs, quietly watching over the manatees like a loving mother hen.

As most of you know, either from joining me on a manatee tour, or from reading my trip descriptions, I have a long-standing problem with the "swimming with manatees" industry. It's a practice that has gotten way out of control, fueled by tour operators who present themselves as manatee conservationists and then encourage all of the wrong behaviors so their clients can have a fun experience. The well-meaning tourists don't know any better. They are going on what their tour captain tells them is okay.

On our tours, we often hear swim-boat captains yelling to their customers lines like "don't let it get away," "block it's path," "did everyone get to touch them?". Tracy, and her fellow videographer Steve, see swimmers chasing, grabbing, riding, prodding and worse, every time they go out to document what's going on. If people obeyed the rules, the problem wouldn't be nearly so detrimental to the manatees well-being. But, it's impossible to monitor the large numbers of people that go every day to swim with manatees. They are underwater and hard to see - even from as close as 10 feet away.

... Notice how many of the manatees are trying to get away from the swimmers. Even though some of the swimmers are touching the manatees lightly, they are still distracting them from eating and preventing any possibility of drifting off to sleep (remember, manatees sleep day and night in randomly timed, extended "naps").

... remember that manatees come to these springs to survive the winter. The colder water in the Gulf can (and does) kill them during cold snaps. It's a critical time for them and they need to conserve all of their energy - not flee from swimmers.

.... keep in mind that manatees don't have a regular, day/night sleep and feed cycle. They do both activities day and night. As you can see, sleeping and eating in the company of human swimmers (which goes on every day in winter) is difficult.

.... keep in mind that many manatees are very shy and will leave the relatively warm springs whenever humans are present. If we're going to protect this species, we must address the needs of all manatees, not just the individuals who tolerate or even enjoy human interaction (to their own detriment). And, to those who tout the educational benefits of swimming with manatees, I ask, what good is the educational experience if the lesson is wrong. We should be teaching people that petting, engaging and interacting with wild animals is not in their best interest.

I believe the only way to effectively stop this problem is to stop the swim industry and make people stay in their boats and observe from above.

Here are 3 of the videos that have sparked the media attention. There are more on Youtube. Just look for films posted by "starthrower"

Silver Springs is Being Threatened!(Thanks to Kathleen Cantwell for submitting this - 2/24/06)

Dear Friend of Florida: Fabled Silver Springs near Ocala--Florida's majestic number one First Magnitude Springs and the state's first attraction and home to the old Tarzan movies is sick. Consider:

- Scientists from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, the U.S. Geological Survey, The Florida Geological Survey, Florida Governor Bush's Springs Task Force, and an array of scientists have concluded that Silver Springs is now in a degraded condition, due to nitrates, pesticides, storm water and other pollutants;

-Preliminary studies show that Silver Springs has experienced a 90% decline in fish population, according to Dr. Bob Knight, a Florida wetlands ecologist;

- Former senior state biologist and springs expert, Jim Stevenson, has shown that a rise in the pollution level of Florida springs directly parallels population growth;

-A study prepared by a 16-member Florida Springs Task Force for the state's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) stated that Silver Springs now suffers from a "decline in water quality" thanks to nutrients such as nitrates.

The Avatar Corporation is preparing to build homes for 22,000 residents, professional offices, retail space, "big box" stores and golf courses on one of the most important water recharge areas vital to the health of Silver Springs. This recharge area is made up of karst, or extremely porous limestone, that allows water and pollutants to quickly move down tounderground water sources for the Springs. If developed, Avatar's 4,600 acres would drastically change the landscape and destroy habitat for species currently protected under state law such as the Florida Black Bear and the gopher tortoise. (Much of this property is Sandhill Community, made up of Longleaf Pine and Turkey Oak.) An estimated 90% of these trees have disappeared from Florida because of development. In addition, biologists say that hundreds of species of plants and animals live in the Sandhill Community and nowhere else. Costly new roads, schools, sewer lines, and other infrastructure spawned by the development could possibly trigger even more development on adjacent lands and forever change this area. Floridians everywhere want this land preserved;

The Silver Springs Basin Working Group, a coalition of state agencies, businesses, and private organizations--say that state acquisition of the Avatar land is the single most important purchase that could be made to protect the spring. Florida's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has the Avatar properties as number one on its "A" acquisition list; Governor Jeb Bush wants this land purchased and preserved; The Marion County Board of Commissioners recently passed a springs protection resolution, and publicly urged the Governor and DEP to purchase Avatar properties.

Long time state residents along with visitors from around the world who have experienced this Florida treasure want it to be set aside for future generations.

What Can Be Done? To its credit, Avatar has stated publicly that it is willing to spend millions of dollars on its development with new methods to mitigate any new influx of nitrate pollution. Sadly, however, Silver Springs can't take any more. A normal amount of nitrate is .02 milligrams per liter of water. Once a Florida spring reaches a level of 1.0, it experiences ecological decline. Silver Springs already has reached that danger point! Avatar has not ruled out negotiating selling its holdings to the state. That means there's still hope.

and ask him to continue negotiations with Avatar and to use Eminent Domain if necessary. Also write to:

Mr. Gerald Kelfer CEO, Avatar Holdings Inc. 201 Alhambra Circle Coral Gables, GL 33134.

Thank him for negotiating with the state and urge him to sell its Avatar holdings near Silver Springs for the common good. The SMART GROWTH COALITION Of North Central Florida P.O. Box 279, Ft. McCoy, FL 32134 (352) 685-2434

Kathy Cantwell,MD Public Lands Issue Chair Florida Chapter of Sierra Club 400 NE 13 Ave Gainesville, Fl. 32601 352-395-7441

County Hall June 14th, 2005 9 a.m. Dear all, The Alachua County Commission will be asked to require mufflers on airboats and an enforced curfew. Please help the lake dwellers and environs by attending this meeting Tuesday, June 14th at 9 a.m. The airboat terrorists are expected to be out in force to protest this request. A good showing of supporters is important. Please also put your support on the record by writing the commission (bocc@alachua.fl.us). A short sample letter is below. Hope to see y'all Tuesday morning at 9! Regards, Karen Orr Alachua County Commissioners June 1, 2005 Dear County Commissioners: It is important for the health, safety and welfare of citizens and wildlife that mufflers be required on airboats. * Airboat noise is a constant source of torment that can negatively impact the health and welfare of humans and wildlife. * Inadequately controlled airboat noise presents a growing danger to the health and welfare of human and animal populations. * Many Americans are affected with some hearing loss and that impairment can be at least partialyl attributed to damage from exposure to airboat noise. * Airboat noise can lead to sleep loss, psychological and physiological damage and disruption of normal living activities. * Airboat noise exposure can be linked to increased risk of cardiovascular disorders, learning deficits in children, stress and diminished quality of life. Please require mufflers on all airboats. Yours truly, --------------------- Noise Control Act of Congress- 1972 The Congress declares that it is the policy of the United States of America to promote an environment for All Americans Free From Noise That Jeopardizes Their Heath And Welfare. Constitution of the state of Florida- Article II Section 7-Natural Resources It shall be the policy of the state to conserve and protect its natural resources and scenic beauty. Adequate provision shall be made by law for the abatement of excessive and unnecessary noise.

http://www.kintera.org/site/apps/ka/ct/contactcustom.asp?c=dhKPI1PFIqE&b=453621&MSOURCE=NL10305AD7CA The first day of the annual largest and cruelest mass commercial slaughter of marine animals on earth is March 29th. Buoyed by fashion fads and pelt sales to Russia, Ukraine, Poland and China, Canadian fisherman will butcher over 325,000 seals this Spring. On the Canadian east coast, harp and hood seals are systematically massacred by fisherman using rifles and shotguns. Helpless baby seals less than four weeks old are bludgeoned by clubs and often dragged for long distances. Approximately 42% are skinned alive. It's estimated that for every seal shot and included in the quota, another escapes to die an agonizing death under the ice. This barbarism is heavily subsidized by the Canadian government. Canadian Fisheries and Oceans officials bow to fishing industry blackmail by claiming seals destroyed the cod industry. They're scapegoating defenseless seals to deflect criticism of their incompetent management of the Canadian fishing industry that has plundered the Grand Banks for decades Americans can help stop the carnage by joining the International Boycott of Canadian Seafood. Write Prime Minister Paul Martin ( pm@pm.gc.ca <mailto:pm@pm.gc.ca> ) to tell him you will not buy Canadian seafood or visit Canada until this unspeakable bloodbath jeopardizing the North Atlantic ecosystem is stopped. To learn more about the seal slaughter, visit The Sea Shepherd Conservation Society ( http://www.seashepherd.org/ ) and The Humane Society of the United States (http://www.ProtectSeals.org )

Friends, Silver Springs state park is being threatened by a massive development called Avatar near Ocala.

This massive 4600 acre subdivision was platted (though never built) decades ago and would never be allowed under Marion County's present comprehensive plan. The developer, Avatar Holdings, now is seeking the permits they need to start the development. We need to attend the Florida springs Task force meeting tomorrow (wed, Feb 1 at 9 am in the Reitz Union Building on the UF campus) to let them know we want the state to purchase this last hope to restore the springs contaminated water. We also need to let the Governor and the developer know they must do the right thing and get this land purchased by the state. You may contact the Governor at _jeb.bush@myflorida.com_(mailto:jeb.bush@myflorida.com) and the information regarding the developer is at the end of this excellent article in the Suwannee-St John Sierra Club newsletter written by John Dunn, an activist in Marion County.

Kathy Cantwell,MD Public Lands Issue Chair Florida Chapter of Sierra Club 400 NE 13 Ave Gainesville, Fl. 32601 352-395-7441 6 Suwannee-St. Johns Sierra Club January 2006

North Central Florida Smart Growth Coalition Silver Springs is in trouble. For nearly two decades, scientists from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, the U.S. Geological Survey, The Florida Geological Survey, Florida Governor Bushâ€™s Springs Task Force, and an array of other scientists have concluded that Silver Springs is now in a degraded condition, due to nitrates, pesticides, storm water and other pollutants. Moreover, former senior state biologist and springs expert, Jim Stevenson, has shown that a rise in the pollution level of Florida springs directly parallels population growth. Thus, the prospect of a huge new residential project being built on land owned by the Avatar development company on one of the most important water recharge areas vital to the health of Silver Springs is alarming. The recharge areas are made up of karst, or extremely porous limestone, that allows water and pollutants to quickly percolate down to underground water sources for the Springs. If developed, Avatarâ€™s 4,600 acres would also drastically change the landscape and destroy habitat for species currently protected under state law such as the Florida Black Bear and the gopher tortoise. Much of this property is Sandhill Community, made up of Longleaf Pine and Turkey Oak. An estimated 90 percent of these trees have disappeared from Florida because of development. In addition, biologists have stated that hundreds of species of plants and animals live in the Sandhill Community and nowhere else. The Silver Springs Basin Working Groupâ€”a coalition of state agencies, businesses, and private organizationsâ€”thinks that state acquisition of the Avatar land is the single most important purchase that could be made to protect the springs. Floridaâ€™s Department of Environmental Protection put the Avatar properties on its â€œAâ€ acquisition list. The Marion County Board of Commissioners voted to support this acquisition, and also recently passed a springs protection resolution. The good news: the state wants to buy this land and protect it. The bad news: Avatar recently went to the water management district to investigate their options for development and groundwater pumping.

What you can do: Write Mr. Josh Nash, Chairman, Avatar Holdings Inc., 201 Alhambra Circle Coral Gables, FL 33134.

Using the talking points above, encourage him to continue negotiations with state officials and implore him to enable the state protect to protect this resource. Please act now. Important decisions will be made by February 2006. Suwannee St Johns Sierra Group is a member of the NCF Smart Growth Coalition, which was created about 5 years ago in Marion County to educate North Central Floridians on sprawl issues. The Avatar Project

Despite a year of aggressive attempts by the oil industry and their allies in Congress to open Florida's coast to offshore drilling, Florida PIRG and allies closed 2005 with a ban on offshore drilling intact and the beaches rig free. But challenges loom on the horizon. http://floridapirg.org/newsletter/winter06/topstory.html

This fall, Florida PIRG worked with a broad coalition of local activists, medical experts, environmental allies and local elected officials to win an important victory against the state's largest utility. http://floridapirg.org/newsletter/winter06/story2.html

A new front in Florida's water wars

A plan would pipe 43-million gallons from Hernando and Citrus to fast-growing Central Florida.

Pipeline Project Not Well Received

Jim Hoy