By Rachael Anne Ryals
High Springs Herald
April 16, 2009
As of Wednesday, April 15, the Santa Fe River was projected to crest sometime over the weekend. The projected crest level is far lower than the projections of last week, which put the river cresting closer to its historic levels.
Full article
Friday, April 17, 2009
Monday, April 13, 2009
Robert Knight: Now is the time to save Florida's springs
Springs protection is not just about protecting fish and wildlife habitat and popular crystal clear swimming holes from overgrowth by filamentous algae - it is mostly about protecting our underground aquifer.
Robert Knight, Wetland Solutions, Inc.
Gainesville Sun
April 12, 2009
Full Text
Robert Knight, Wetland Solutions, Inc.
Gainesville Sun
April 12, 2009
Full Text
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Springs Working Group Meeting - March 19, 2009
The March 19th Sante Fe Springs Working Group meeting was held at the Poe Springs Lodge from 9:30 – 3pm.
Presentations:
Monday, March 23, 2009
FWC staff proposes the country’s strongest conservation measures for freshwater turtles
After months of reviewing and discussing the issue of freshwater turtle harvest in Florida, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) staff will present a draft rule at the Commission meeting in Tallahassee on April 15.
“Staff is proposing a draft rule that represents the most comprehensive set of protections and conservation measures for freshwater turtles in the United States,” said Tim Breault, the FWC’s director of Habitat and Species Conservation. “Few places in North America have the rich diversity of turtles that we have here in Florida, and this proposed rule ensures their long-term survival.”
Full Press Release
“Staff is proposing a draft rule that represents the most comprehensive set of protections and conservation measures for freshwater turtles in the United States,” said Tim Breault, the FWC’s director of Habitat and Species Conservation. “Few places in North America have the rich diversity of turtles that we have here in Florida, and this proposed rule ensures their long-term survival.”
Full Press Release
Saturday, March 21, 2009
Cleaning up the Santa Fe River
Roughly 3,500 pounds of trash was collected from the Santa Fe River and the adjacent floodplain by 172 people who signed up to help clean the area Saturday, March 7.
See the full article at:
http://www.highspringsherald.com/articles/2009/03/20/news/news20.txt
See the full article at:
http://www.highspringsherald.com/articles/2009/03/20/news/news20.txt
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
SB 274
The Springs Protection bill, sponsored by Senator Constantine, was brought up in the Environmental Preservation and Conservation committee yesterday as scheduled. There were presentations by environmental groups, Marion county, and homebuilders about the bill as currently written. Senator Constantine stated that he proposes now to expand the protection from the 4 springs named (Silver, Rainbow, Ichetucknee, and Wakulla) to all 1st and 2nd magnitude springs in the state. In order to do this, the bill will need to be greatly revised. A “strike all” amendment to this bill will be introduced once it is written (perhaps as early as later this week). In the meanwhile, the current bill has been TP’d (temporarily postponed) until the amendment and bill gets back on the committee schedule. I will let you know about the amendment as soon as I hear about it. Stay tuned!
Connie Bersok
Florida Springs Initiative
Connie Bersok
Florida Springs Initiative
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Proposed Legislation 2009
The following are bills being proposed that are related to springs.
SB 274 – this bill is very similar to last year’s Silver/Rainbow bill, but this year’s version also includes Ichetucknee and Wakulla. There are some technical concerns with this bill, as it was designed around Marion County’s spring protection approaches, which are not the same as the approaches taken or underway for the counties in the springsheds of Ichetucknee and Wakulla.
SB 2120 – The Spring Stewardship Task Force is again proposed; this would be a short term task force of appointed individuals that results in a report to the legislature next year.
SB 1358 – This bill repeals the sales tax exemption on bottled water, and the language is also in SB 2576. This compliments the Governor’s proposal to place a severance tax on water used for bottling – the revenue from that is intended to make up for the shortfall from doc stamp taxes. I will let you know where/if that shows up in proposed legislation.
HB 1341 - This is not a springs bill per se, but it is a topic often discussed in the context of spring restoration and reduction of nitrate loading to the springshed. This is a bill on septic systems (also referred to as OSTDS or on site treatment disposal systems). Pp 6 – 8 addresses inspections, with priority given to those systems within a springshed protection area. And for those concerned that not everyone can afford needed repairs, see pages 11-12 for a proposed grant program.
SB2530 - Provides legislative findings regarding the use of Florida-friendly landscape. Revises eligibility criteria for certain water management district incentive programs. Requires certain local government ordinances and amendments to incorporate specified landscape irrigation and design standards and identify specified invasive exotic plant species. Revises application requirements for water well contractor licensure, etc.
SB 274 – this bill is very similar to last year’s Silver/Rainbow bill, but this year’s version also includes Ichetucknee and Wakulla. There are some technical concerns with this bill, as it was designed around Marion County’s spring protection approaches, which are not the same as the approaches taken or underway for the counties in the springsheds of Ichetucknee and Wakulla.
SB 2120 – The Spring Stewardship Task Force is again proposed; this would be a short term task force of appointed individuals that results in a report to the legislature next year.
SB 1358 – This bill repeals the sales tax exemption on bottled water, and the language is also in SB 2576. This compliments the Governor’s proposal to place a severance tax on water used for bottling – the revenue from that is intended to make up for the shortfall from doc stamp taxes. I will let you know where/if that shows up in proposed legislation.
HB 1341 - This is not a springs bill per se, but it is a topic often discussed in the context of spring restoration and reduction of nitrate loading to the springshed. This is a bill on septic systems (also referred to as OSTDS or on site treatment disposal systems). Pp 6 – 8 addresses inspections, with priority given to those systems within a springshed protection area. And for those concerned that not everyone can afford needed repairs, see pages 11-12 for a proposed grant program.
SB2530 - Provides legislative findings regarding the use of Florida-friendly landscape. Revises eligibility criteria for certain water management district incentive programs. Requires certain local government ordinances and amendments to incorporate specified landscape irrigation and design standards and identify specified invasive exotic plant species. Revises application requirements for water well contractor licensure, etc.
If you haven’t already, bookmark Online Sunshine for the latest news on all your favorite bills and to listen in on committee meetings.
Connie Bersok
Florida Springs Initiative
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