Thursday, Jan. 5th,  #1173

 

ARTHUR R. MARSHALL LOXAHATCHEE NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE

 

Guided Canoe Trips
 
RESERVATIONS REQUIRED. Call the Visitor Center at 561-734-8303.

Enjoy this 3-minute video made on the canoe trail: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BW49VXaOvGU&feature=related

 

 

 
 

Gov. Scott to speak at Everglades restoration conference in Stuart

By Jonathan Mattise

 

STUART - Gov. Rick Scott will address a slew of environmental leaders and policy makers Thursday on Hutchinson Island to kick off a packed annual weekend-long conference on Everglades restoration.

Scott's 6 p.m. keynote speech at the Hutchinson Island Marriott Beach Resort & Marina will lead off the Everglades Coalition's 27th annual conference, which runs Thursday through Saturday. His Treasure Coast appearance comes a month after he called for the state to step it up on Everglades dollars.

"His working with us to make sure he can be here is just another example of him looking at the Everglades as a priority, and how important they are for all of Florida," said Julie Hill-Gabriel, state co-chairwoman of the coalition, which includes 54 local, state and national conservation organizations.

Scott spokesman Lane Wright confirmed the governor's appearance Tuesday.

"Governor Scott will discuss Florida's commitment to Everglades Restoration and highlight his new water quality plan and partnership with the federal government," Wright said.

Before the 2011 state legislative session, Scott included a mere $17 million to care for the "Sea of Grass" in his first proposed governor's budget. But in his Dec. 7 plan for next fiscal year, Scott has beckoned state lawmakers to shell out $40 million for the Everglades, a $10 million bump from the current spending plan.

Scott also went to Washington in October to unveil his own take on Everglades restoration - plans to build reservoirs, unblock flow ways, control seepage and expand man-made wetlands over 10 years. In a Nov. 10 letter, however, federal officials criticized the plan for pushing back the Environmental Protection Agency's project end date by two years, and questioned if the plan would "compromise achievement of water quality goals."

With the theme "Everglades Restoration: Worth Every Penny," the upcoming conference seeks to reassure lawmakers and officials that Everglades restoration works out best for Florida's environment and its economy.

About 300 big names from government, science and nonprofit agencies are expected to attend. The conference will address all levels of Everglades restoration, including local, state and federal impacts ranging from the Kissimmee River to the Gulf of Mexico.

Lisa P. Jackson, administrator of the federal Environmental Protection Agency, and Herschel T. Vinyard Jr., secretary of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, will attend the conference. U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson, D-Fla., also is scheduled to attend, while U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., is sending a representative.

Author and columnist Carl Hiaasen will also speak at 7:30 p.m. Friday evening.

 

 

 In a past of abundance, we had clean water to meet our demands for showers, pools, farms and rivers. Our laws and customs did not need to regulate or ration demand. Over time, our demand has grown, and scarcity has replaced abundance. We don't have as much clean water as we want. We can respond to the end of abundance with old ideas or adopt new tools specifically designed to address water scarcity.

In this book, David Zetland  describes the impact of scarcity on our many water uses, how the institutions of abundance fail in scarcity, and how economic ideas and tools can help us direct water to its highest and best use. Written for non-academic readers, The End of Abundance provides examples, insights and ideas to anyone interested in the management of our most precious resource.

 

http://endofabundance.com/

 

 Manasota 88  Newsletter

 

OUTSTANDING FLORIDA WATER DESIGNATIONS

 

 _____ Because all Outstanding Florida Waters (OFWs) have been found to be of exceptional ecological and recreational significance by the State of Florida, EPA has a duty to designate OFWs as Outstanding National Resource Waters. The Sarasota Bay Estuarine System has been found to be an OFW of exceptional ecological and recreational significance.

 

EPA's antidegradation policy requires "where high quality waters constitute an outstanding National resource, such as waters of National and State Parks and wildlife refuges and waters of exceptional recreational or ecological significance, that water quality shall be maintained and protected."

 

Our state and local elected officials need to be reminded that any development proposals within the Sarasota Bay Estuarine System, or any phosphate mining activities occurring within the Little Manatee River or the Myakka River basin must meet EPA's antidegradation requirements.

Red Tide Reports

 

 

 

Tables and maps  available   on our Web site: (http://myfwc.com/research/redtide/events/status/statewide/).

The Web site also provides links to additional information related to the topic of Florida red tide including satellite imagery, experimental red tide forecasts, shellfish harvesting areas, the FWC Fish Kill Hotline, the Aquatic Toxins Hotline (for information or to report human health effects), and other wildlife related hotlines:
(http://myfwc.com/research/redtide/events/status/contact/).

To learn more about various organisms that have been known to cause algal blooms in Florida waters, see our flickr page at (http://www.flickr.com/photos/myfwc) and click on "Harmful Algal Bloom Species".

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Thanks,

Karen

Karen E. Atwood

Harmful Algal Bloom Group

FWC Fish and Wildlife Research Institute

 

 

Everglades Audubon Expands Popular Bird Watching Tours to Palm Beach County   

 

http://flcoastalandocean.org/

 

 

 

FLORIDA COASTAL AND OCEAN COALITION RELEASES: FLORIDA'S COASTAL AND OCEAN FUTURE: AN UPDATED BLUEPRINT FOR ECONOMIC AND ENVIRONMENTAL LEADERSHIP

 

The Florida Coastal and Ocean Coalition today released Florida's Coastal and Ocean Future: An Updated Blueprint For Economic And Environmental Leadership (hereafter "Blueprint Update"). This report addresses Florida's most challenging coastal and marine topics and recommends actions for protecting and preserving the future of Florida's coasts and oceans. It provides a road map for the public and policy makers on pressing environmental issues.

 

"This is a pivotal time for Florida, both in terms of its environment and economy. Events such as the Deepwater Horizon oil spill and subsequent proposals for Gulf of Mexico restoration, election of new Florida leadership, and the fragile state of the nation's economy provide new opportunities and challenges for Florida's decision makers," said Janet Bowman, Director Legislative Policy and Strategies, Government Relations for The Nature Conservancy and a member of the Florida Coastal and Ocean Coalition Steering Committee. "In order to create a sustainable Florida, we must make our environment a priority, which in turn will help boost our economy."

 

"In Florida, having abundant fish and wildlife, public access to beaches and state parks, and clean rivers, springs, bays, and oceans are a matter of economic survival," said Paul Johnson, speaking on behalf of Reef Relief, a member of the Coalition Steering Committee. "Coastal tourism and recreation are two of Florida's top ocean industries and both depend on healthy ecosystems," Mr. Johnson said

 

The Blueprint Updaterecommends actions for restoring the Gulf of Mexico by addressing many of the concerns that were prevalent before the Deepwater Horizon oil spill and that received much needed focus following the spill. The report also addresses coastal policy and development, protecting marine ecosystems and wildlife, coastal water quality, and planning the future of our oceans and coasts.

 

"The Blueprint Update recognizes the interconnectedness of Florida's coastal and marine environments and recommends action for protecting the entire system," said Sarah Chasis, Director of the Ocean Initiative at the Natural Resources Defense Council.

 

Ericka Canales, Surfrider Foundation Florida Regional Manager said the Coalition's assessment and recommendations "highlight the lessons learned from the Deepwater Horizon oil spill and recommends actions that will improve the restoration efforts and overall health of Florida's Gulf Coast."

 

"Shorelines are at risk from erosion since more than half of Florida's sandy beaches already designated as critically eroded. The time to reassess coastal policies is long overdue in order to protect our beaches and dunes for future Floridians" said Gary Appelson, Sea Turtle Conservancy Policy Director.

 

Janet Bowman, Director Legislative Policy and Strategies, Government Relations for The Nature Conservancy said "strategically targeted coastal land acquisition and habitat restoration are some of the best ways to protect Florida's remaining undeveloped coastal lands and increase the resiliency of Florida's natural, economic and social infrastructures. The Blueprint Update addresses and recommends actions for protecting Florida's economic and natural resources".

 

"Florida's aquatic preserves and the Coastal and Aquatic Managed Area Program of the Department of Environmental Protection are critically important to preserving essential marine nursery grounds for recreational and commercial fishing species. Through the Blueprint Update the Coalition addresses these issues and recommends continued funding for this pivotal program", said Paul Johnson, Reef Relief's Policy Director.

 

Jennifer Hecker, Director of Natural Resource Policy for the Conservancy of Southwest Florida stated that "the Florida Department of Environmental Protection should work with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to establish strong numeric nutrient pollution standards to protect and improve the health of Florida's water bodies, including coastal and estuarine ecosystems. This is a central issue to the health of Florida's coastal and marine environments."

 

Furthermore, The Legislature should encourage, not seek to preempt, local 'smart fertilizer' ordinances that regulate the use of nitrogen- based fertilizers. Preventing nutrient laden runoff from ever reaching coastal waters will improve the overall health of our entire coastline" said George Jones, Executive Director of the Indian Riverkeeper.

 

The Florida Coastal and Ocean Coalition is a group of organizations working together to conserve, protect and restore Florida's coastal and marine environment. The Coalition emphasizes the implementation of an ecosystem-based approach to coastal and ocean management, as well as recognition of the important linkage between the health of Florida's economy and the health of its beaches and dunes, coral reefs, mangroves, sea grasses, wetlands and other natural resources. The Coalition calls on Florida's Governor, State Agencies, Cabinet, and Legislature for action and leadership to achieve the goal of healthy ocean and coastal ecosystems. Please visit the Florida Coastal and Ocean Coalition website for more information, www.flcoastalandocean.org

.

 http://flcoastalandocean.org/blueprint

 

 

Biologists report 453 Florida manatee deaths

  

State wildlife officials are reporting the third straight year with high numbers of manatee deaths.

 

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission reported Wednesday that 453 manatee carcasses were documented in state waters in 2011.

 

That's the second-highest number on record. Biologists reported 766 in 2010 and 429 in 2009.

 

Biologists say the past three years also had the highest numbers of cold-related manatee deaths. Before 2009, cold stress accounted for an average of 30 manatee deaths a year. That number jumped to 56 in 2009, 282 in 2010 and 112 last year.

 

The director of the conservation commission's Fish and Wildlife Research Institute says officials are concerned about the number of manatee deaths since 2009 and will do more research to understand any long-term implications for the protected species.