How Not To Be Sustainable

Recently, I spoke to a group of international environmental leaders visiting the United States through International Visitor Corps of Jacksonville. The theme of the multi-day visit was "Global Perspectives on Jacksonville's Sustainable Development." I put together a handout with the following statistics and facts about our water resources in Florida.

I was already aware that we Floridans are not living and using our limited resources sustainably, but seeing the rundown of troubling statistics on one page highlighted the magnitude of the problem and the urgency of the situation. We are currently not doing a good job of protecting the health of our rivers, groundwater supplies, and environment, in general. How can we accomodate the intense growth that is projected, if we don't dramatically reduce our current impacts to the environment and develop a more sustainable blueprint for our future, now?

This also highlights the fact that the debate over withdrawing water from the St. Johns River must be more about how we use our water resources than where we will get water from. We must focus on the reasons why communities are facing water shortages and looking to the river to fulfill their needs and work toward solving those problems, first. If we don't, we will continue to exploit our water resources and will continuously be in search of new sources. This business as usual approach to solving our water supply problems will also come at a huge expense to taxpayers and the citizens of this state. This is simply not a socially, ecologicially, or economically responsible approach to managing the natural resources that belong to all of us, as well as future generations.

• Florida entered the Union as a state in 1845 with a population of 57,951 people.

• In 1950, the population increased to 2.8 million. At this time, residents served by the public supply used 102 gallons of water per day, requiring public supply withdrawals of 170 million gallons a day (MGD). Total freshwater withdrawals totaled nearly 1.5 billion gallons per day.

• In 1970, the population increased to 6.8 million, per capita water use from the public supply increased to 163 gpd, and total water withdrawals for the public supply increased to 883.4 MGD. Total freshwater withdrawals exceeded 5.6 billion gallons per day.

• In 2000, 16 million people lived in Florida, the per-capita use increased to 174 gpd, and water withdrawals for the public supply increased to 2.2 billion gallons per day. Total water withdrawals in 2000 were nearly 8.2 billion gallons per day.

• The average water use within the St. Johns River Water Management District in 2006 was 164 gallons per capita per day (gpcd, and over 50% of that water was used outside the home for irrigation purposes.

• Today, over 18 million people reside in Florida. A 2006 report by 1000 Friends of Florida, projected Florida’s population to increase to 35.8 million in 2060.

• Over 90 percent of Florida’s population relies on groundwater for their drinking water needs. Most of this water comes from the Floridan Aquifer, one of the most productive sources of freshwater in the world.

• Despite having such a vast and productive aquifer underneath our feet, we are reaching its limits. The St. Johns River Water Management District has directed municipalities and utilities in Central Florida to identify “Alternative Water Supply” (AWS) sources, because the rate of withdrawal from the aquifer is no longer sustainable.

• Within the St. Johns River Water Management District, only 28% of estuaries, 41% of lakes, and 13% of streams met their designated uses in 2007.

• Florida has approximately 10.5 million acres of wetlands, down from the 11 million acres of wetlands in 1980 and 20.3 acres of wetlands in 1780.

• According to a St. Petersburg Times special report, Florida has lost at least 84,000 acres of wetlands since 1990.

St. Johns Receives National Attention

St. Johns Listed as One of America’s Most Endangered Rivers™

Today, American Rivers, the nation’s largest organization fighting for healthy rivers, named Florida’s St. Johns River as one of America’s Most Endangered Rivers™. The St. Johns was nominated by St. Johns Riverkeeper.

The 2008 America’s Most Endangered Rivers™ report highlights the 10 rivers in the United States that are facing the most uncertain future, rather than those suffering from the worst chronic problems. The St. Johns was selected because of Central Florida’s plans to remove over 260 million gallons per day from the St. Johns River system, and the threats that this will potentially pose to the river’s ecological health and the economic benefits that the St. Johns provides.

“I don’t know whether to celebrate or cry”, said St. Johns Riverkeeper, Neil Armingeon. “This elevates the proposed water withdrawal issue to a national level and brings this to the attention of a worldwide media market. Florida’s lack of water planning is no longer a secret”, he added.

When discussing the St. Johns River designation, Rebecca Wodder, President of American Rivers, stated, “No matter what the problem is, stealing is never an acceptable solution. Yet, instead of embracing water smart solutions like conservation and efficiency, Florida lawmakers seem set on sanctioning this river robbery. It really is unconscionable.”

Sadly, the naming of the St. Johns River as one of America’s Most Endangered Rivers™ corresponds with the 10th anniversary of the St. Johns being designated one of only 14 American Heritage Rivers in 1998. St. Johns Riverkeeper, local governments, and numerous business and citizen groups believe that removing millions of gallons of water from the St. Johns before pursuing aggressive water conservation measures is irresponsible and short-sighted public policy that will potentially cause significant harm to one of this country’s American Heritage Rivers.

About America’s Most Endangered Rivers™: Each year, American Rivers solicits nominations from thousands of river groups, environmental organizations, outdoor clubs, local governments, and taxpayer watchdogs for the America’s Most Endangered Rivers™ report. The America’s Most Endangered Rivers™ report results in thousands of supporters taking action on behalf of their beloved river. Such action produces immediate and tangible results. To see success stories visit www.americanrivers.org/MERSuccesses

The full report is available at http://www.americanrivers.org/site/PageServer?pagename=AR7_MER

St. Johns Riverkeeper is a non-profit grassroots organization that serves as an advocate for the St. Johns River and the communities that benefit from this tremendous resource. The Riverkeeper philosophy is rooted in a sense of public ownership of local water bodies. Our mission is to protect, preserve and restore the ecological integrity of the St. Johns River watershed for current users and future generations through advocacy and citizen action. For more information, visit http://www.stjohnsriverkeeper.org.

2008 AMERICA’S MOST ENDANGERED RIVERS™:

Catawba-Wateree River (North Carolina, South Carolina)
Rogue River (Oregon)
Cache La Poudre River (Colorado)
St. Lawrence River (NY & Canada)
Minnesota River (Minnesota)
St. Johns River (Florida)
Gila River (Arizona, New Mexico)
Allagash Wilderness Waterway (Maine)
Niobrara River (Wyoming, Nebraska)
Pearl River (Mississippi, Louisiana)

Business As Usual?

Recently, Governor Charlie Crist appointed 2 more people to the Governing Board of the St. Johns River Water Management District (SJRWMD). In case you don't know, the Governing Board is a group of politically appointed people who set the policies for the District and make the final decision on permit applications to impact wetlands and to use our groundwater (consumptive use permits - CUPs).

The two appointees are Hans G. Tanzler III of Jacksonville and Douglas C. Bournique of Vero Beach.

Tanzler, 56, is the son of former Jacksonville Mayor, Hans Tanzler, Jr., and is president of Marion Equities Inc., a family holding company. For some reason, the SJRWMD press release failed to mention that he is also president of Cypress Grove Farm that specializes in wetland tree species for wetland restoration and mitigation projects.

Bournique has been the executive vice president of the Indian River Citrus League for nearly 30 years and previously worked for the Florida Sugar Cane League.

Previously, Crist appointed Arlen Jumper who has been the former director of the Florida Sod Growers Co-op, a Board member of the Florida Turfgrass Association and has served on the Florida Citrus Commission. For the last 14 years, Jumper has owned and managed the Jones Turf Grass Farm in McCoy.

Hopefully, these gentlemen will all make decisions based on sound science and what is truly best for the St. Johns River. However, you have to question whether or not apparent conflicts of interest could compromise their ability to objectively perform their jobs, most specifically Jumper and Bournique.

For one, Jumper's company, Jones Turf Grass Farm, has a permit from the SJRWMD to withdraw up to 200 million gallons of water a year from the Floridan aquifer to irrigate 660 acres of sod. Turfgrass, especially St. Augustine grass, is one of the primary reasons that we are using over 50% of our potable water outside the home to irrigate our lawns. Can Jumper make unbiased decisions regarding permits? Will he be willing to say no to permits that represent an excessive use of our groundwater for purposes that are not in the best interest of the public or the river?

As a major player in the agricultural industry, the same questions must be asked of Bournique. In 2006, the agricultural industry used 670.1 million gallons of water a day (MGD) throughout the 18 counties in the SJRWMD. This amounts to more water used than the entire public supply (653.39 MGD). In Indian River county alone, 267.63 million gallons of water a day were used for agricultural purposes.

I guess we have to give them the benefit of the doubt and allow them to prove themselves in these extremely important decision-making positions. However, we all need to scutinize their decisions and performance, along with every other member of the Governing Board. There is too much at stake (our water, our rivers and creeks, and our wetlands), and we simply cannot afford to continue with business as usual.

Opposition Is Mounting

Well, the opposition to the water withdrawal proposals in Central Florida is mounting. Here is a current list of all of the groups, organizations, and government entities that have passed resolutions opposing the drawdown. If you are a member of a civic/business group, please ask them to consider a resolution, as well. We will need significant support to stop these withdrawals from taking place.

Governments/Agencies

City of Neptune Beach
Jacksonville Beach
Jacksonville
Keystone Heights
Atlantic Beach
Jacksonville Planning Commission
St. Johns County
Jacksonville Environmental Protection Board
Jacksonville Water and Sewer Expansion Authority
Jacksonville Waterways Commission
Town of Hastings
Town of Callahan
Nassau County
Clay County
Duval Soil and Water Conservation District

Citizen Organizations

St. Johns Riverkeeper
Putnam County Environmental Council
Northeast Chapter of the Sierra Club
Clay Action Network
Turtle Coast Sierra Club
Jacksonville Civic Council, Inc.
Shrimp Producers Association
Central Florida Sierra Club
Polk Sierra Club
Suwannee-St. Johns Sierra Club
Florida Chapter Sierra Club
William Bartram Scenic & Historic Highway Corridor Management Council
NW St. Johns County Community Coalition
Beaches Watch
St. Johns County Roundtable
Greater Arlington & Beaches CPAC
South Anastasia Community Association
Environmental Youth Council
Save Our Lakes
Greater Arlington Civic Council
Mandarin Community Club
Duval County Democratic Executive Committee
Santa Fe Lake Dwellers
North East Florida Association of Realtors
Clay County Chamber of Commerce
Florida Lure Anglers
Southside Businessmen’s Club
Democratic Women’s Information Network

3rd Annual River Celebration Day

3rd Annual River Celebration Day
Saturday, March 29, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Walter Jones Historical Park
11964 Mandarin Road, Jacksonville

Join St. Johns Riverkeeper and Mandarin Museum and Historical Society for a celebration of the St. Johns River.

Music by Ashley Gang and Palm Valley String Band, storytellers and re-enactors, ecology programs, games and activities for kids, boat rides on the river, and free kayaking provided by Black Creek Outfitters. Food will also be available during the event. Historical tours will be provided of the museum and park throughout the day.

Kayak/Run Biathlon
7:30 am – 9:30am

Free kayaking provided by Black Creek Outfitters
11am – 3pm

Boat Trips – 45 minutes each on the hour
11am – 3pm

Nature program
11am - Noon & 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm

Ashley Gang Band
11am - 1:15pm

The Storytelling Sims
Noon – 12:30 pm & 1:30 – 2:00 pm

Palm Valley String Band
1:30 pm – 3:45 pm

Native Plant Workshop
3pm

For more information, call 904-268-0784.

Dash for Trash

Today was the annual St. Johns River Cleanup in Duval and St. Johns County. Andy Fraden, owner of All Wet Sports, organized Dash for Trash as part of the cleanup event. The Dash for Trash took place at the Pottsburg Creek boat ramp and prizes were awarded for most trash bags, most trash by weight, and most unusual item. It was amazing to see the amount of trash that participants pulled out of the creek using canoes, kayaks, and boats. A basketball goal and ball, refrigerator, boat, computer monitor, gas tank, and shopping carts were some of the more interesting items of trash that were retrieved.

Thanks to all of the Riverkeeper volunteers who helped out. A special thanks goes out to Michael Howle, Walton Cheney, and J.P. Gaither for using their boats to retrieve trash from the kayaks and canoes.

A Delicate Balance

The Florida Times-Union

March 11, 2008

Alterations could have an impact

The million or so residents of Northeast Florida who commute daily over or along the St. Johns River give little thought to what happens below the river's surface.

All most of us see is water and the occasional seagull. The proposal by Central Florida governments to remove water has made the First Coast pay attention as we never have before. Much will be made of the economic impact that will befall the Orlando area if water is withheld. Similar dire outcomes are predicted for the residents and industries in Northeast Florida if water is diverted.

Unfortunately, only a few people appreciate the complex biological machine that is already stressed. No one knows what ultimately will happen when the flow of fuel - fresh water - is altered. Anyone who has lived near the St. Johns River already knows that it has been severely impacted. We have deepened channels, added pollutants, built bulkheads along its banks, filled wetlands, dammed the river, etc. It's testament to the resiliency of nature that the river continues to function at all.

Old-timers know that the St. Johns has changed in ways that are not good, and that the fish, crabs and just about all life dependent on the river are not what they should be. Fresh and saltwater meet at the coast where the river empties into the ocean. Twice a day, high tide pushes saltwater upstream and twice daily low tide sends some of that water back into the ocean. Changes in water salinity are natural, and plants and animals living there have adapted to this change. Even the occasional drought or flood is part of the natural cycle.

Life in the St. Johns River has had thousands of years to adapt to natural variations. Most of these adaptations go unnoticed by those of us who use the river or fish along its banks. But each year, animals move in response to changes in water temperature and salinity to spawn at just the right time. Their young ride currents out in the ocean and find their way into the river's nursery areas at exactly the right time. It's difficult to say how these century-old patterns have been altered already by even the small changes we make in how much and what kind of water reaches the coast.

Just as we pay little attention to our cars until they break, we don't notice small changes in the river until it affects our lives or pocketbooks. A clogged air filter makes your car run a little rough. The St. Johns River has also been "running rough" for some time, too. We would repair our car, but have largely ignored the St. Johns until smelly algae covered its surface. What will happen to the St. Johns River engine that has sustained Northeast Florida for centuries when the proper mix of water and nutrients is altered?

COURTNEY T. HACKNEY, Director of Coastal Biology, University of North Florida, Jacksonville