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Friday, July 6th, 2012 #1357 |
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Wilderness whisper Mark Renz photo art
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FGCU Service Learning LaBelle Nature Park July 7th
A special event planned for Summer FGCU Classses:
FGCU Service Learning LaBelle Nature Park .
Join FGCU students to remove Exotic Plants. Clear
Walking Trails. Install Plant ID Markers
Free Lunch
Provided Reservations are appreciated, but not required. RSVP to email:
margaret@caloosahatchee.org
Anytime between 8am and 7pm on Saturday, July 7
Location: 440 Fraser Ave, Labelle
Earn up to 10 Service Learning Hours.
BYO gloves and pruning shears...if you have them. If not, they will be
provided.
Sponsored by: Rotary Club of LaBelle &
Riverwatch (Caloosahatchee River Citizens Association) If you need help
finding the place on Saturday, then call Margaret at 863-517-0202
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Input from the scientists suggests that the ecology of the St. Lucie estuary is satisfactory while the Caloosahatchee estuary needs water. The evaluation by SFWMD for Caloosahatchee Estuary indicates that the 30-day average salinity at I-75 location will continue to exceed 5 psu within the next two weeks and there is less than 50% probability that Lake stage will fall below 11.0 ft, and the Tributary Hydrologic Condition is normal. Therefore, USACE's decision is to begin a 10-day pulse release to the Caloosahatchee Estuary beginning 05 July. The target flow for the pulse release to the Caloosahatchee Estuary is an average flow over the 10-day period of 300 cfs, measured at S-79. There will be no target flows to the St. Lucie Estuary through S-80. System conditions will continue to be closely monitored and assessed.
Zafar Hyder
Water Management Section
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers - Jacksonville District
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Arguing about dessert Great blue heron and chick -- Mark Renz photo art
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"USDA's National Water Quality Initiative"
Register at: www.epa.gov/watershedwebcasts
Join us for a Watershed Academy Webcast on July 10, 2012 from 1:00 -3:00 pm Eastern to learn more about USDA's National Water Quality Initiative (NWQI). USDA's NWQI is focusing on 157 priority watersheds in the U.S. in 2012. These 157 watersheds were identified with assistance from state agencies, key partners, and USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) State Technical Committees. NRCS will make available at least $33 million in financial assistance to farmers, ranchers and forest landowners this year in these priority watersheds to implement conservation practices to improve water quality and aquatic habitats in impaired lakes and streams. Using funds from the Environmental Quality Incentives Program, NRCS will provide financial and technical assistance to producers for implementing conservation practices such as cover crops, nutrient management, filter strips and terraces. This webcast will highlight how this Initiative is working and how USDA's NRCS is working with state water quality agencies and others to implement this Initiative in priority watersheds.
To register for this webcast, please visit: www.epa.gov/watershedwebcasts
Anne Weinberg
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Communications Coordinator
Assessment and Watershed Protection Division
____________________________________________________
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Greg Munson (DEP), Ernie Marks (DEP) and Ernie Barnett (SFWMD)
announce a teleconference on
Florida's Water Quality Plan. The call in will be on Friday, July 13th from 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm. DEP Participants: Greg Munson & Ernie Marks SFWMD Participants: Ernie Barnett Conference Number to use: Call in: 1-888-670-3525
Participant code:1204237595 then #
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Letters: Phosphorus pipe dream will mean tax hike
By
JAMES J. MORAN, Governing board member,
South Florida Water Management District
West Palm Beach
The pressure from the EPA to force the taxpayers of South Florida to spend another $880 million to "restore the Everglades" is a politically correct folly ("EPA gives OK to $880M Everglades clean-up plan," June 13).
First of all, the price tag is actually closer to $1.5 billion when you add in existing projects to be used in this effort that are already paid for. This is on top of the $1.8 billion previously spent by taxpayers since the inception of this litigation.
If you define restoring the Everglades as reducing the phosphorus count, then we've already done it! Over the past 10 years the South Florida Water Management District has reduced it from about 170 parts per billion down to an average of less than 20 parts per billion. (Note: tap water is 70 parts per billion.) There is sound, peer-reviewed science which says any further long-term reduction may well be impossible. These facts remain ignored as we press ahead to meet an unnecessary and probably unattainable goal of 10 parts per billion.
The cost/benefit on this project is just not there. To spend another billion dollars we don't have and can't afford to shave another 10 parts per billion doesn't make common sense. It's not rational. Make no mistake, when the Florida Legislature declines to allocate its hoped-for share of the cost or when other unanticipated expenses arise, the South Florida Water Management District will be forced to raise taxes to pay for this unnecessary, impossible pipe dream.
Governmental agencies need to define their priorities and live within their means!
JAMES J. MORAN, Governing board member,
South Florida Water Management District
West Palm Beach
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Erick Gill, a member of the Treasure Coast community.
FORT PIERCE -The University of Florida/IFAS St. Lucie County Cooperative Extension has received an update from Florida Sea Grant on food safety concerns and the consumption of invasive lionfish.
Lionfish are of particular concern because they are becoming increasingly common in the Treasure Coast. Researchers have found that on experimental reefs, lionfish can decrease the recruitment of juvenile reef fish by almost 80 percent.
There has recently been increased discussion that innovative methods of controlling lionfish must be deployed. Some of these discussions involve consumption of lionfish as a method to reduce lionfish populations.
Research has shown that lionfish harvested in Florida's waterways might harbor toxins which cause a food-borne illness called ciguatera. These toxins are produced by microbes and are not broken down by conventional cooking of the meat.
The official Florida Sea Grant statement to Extension Agents on this issue is below:
...the finding of the FDA is that 'of 194 fish tested, 42 percent showed detectable levels of ciguatoxin and 26 percent were above the FDA's illness threshold of 0.1 parts per billion.'
Despite the fact that NOAA has an ongoing program to teach people how to catch and cook lionfish, given this new information, under no circumstances should any person affiliated with Florida Sea Grant advocate consuming these fish, regardless of the location from which they are taken.
If someone tells you it is OK to eat lionfish, tell them that the latest FDA science indicates that there is a significant risk, and it is recommended that they DO NOT eat them.
For additional information, contact Natural Resource Extension Agent Ken Gioeli at 772 462-1660 or UF Professor of Food Science and Human Nutrition Steve Otwell, 352-392-4221.
This story is contributed by a member of the Treasure Coast community and is neither endorsed by nor affiliated with this site.
http://www.tcpalm.com/news/2012/jul/02/florida-sea-grant-says-not-to-eat-lionfish-23815/
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Scene from Ralph Hitchcock's (Alfred's younger brother) lesser known film, "The Egrets" Mark Renz photo
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On Lake Okeechobee with Lieutenant Colonel Thomas Greco
Another day another adventure with Audubon's Dr. Paul Gray, who recently spent the day with the US Army Corps of Engineers' Lieutenant Colonel Thomas Greco and others exploring sites on Lake Okeechobee. There never seems to be a dull moment with Dr. Gray! Enjoy:
Lt. Col. Thomas Greco is the new Deputy District Commander for the US Army Corps of Engineers in West Palm Beach, and Audubon Florida welcomed him by taking him and John Kilpatrick, Chief of the Corps' Multi-Projects Branch, on an airboat tour of Lake Okeechobee in conjunction with Don Fox of theFlorida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC). Also accompanying us from the Corps' South Florida Operations Office was Chief Steve Dunham, and Assistant Chief Rob Schnell. Last but not least, Terrie Bates, SFWMD's Director of Water Resources, and Jane Graham and Julie Hill-Gabriel of Audubon came along.
We went on the north end of the Lake near the Kissimmee River and were able to see many Everglade Snail Kites working the marshes. Okeechobee has had more Kite nests than any place in Florida this year. We were able to discuss the impact that recent very high, and very low, water levels have had on Kites and the lake's marshes and biota. We also inspected some of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission restoration sites where organic material was removed and healthy sand-bottomed plant communities have returned.
Along with recovering plant communities, there has been a remarkable recovery of the Large-mouth Bass fishery. Unfortunately, the Black Crappie fishery still has not recovered from the 2004 and 2005 hurricane/high water seasons.
On our return, we drove the boat to the Corps' Aquifer Storage and Recovery (ASR) test well along the Kissimmee. There are many concerns about the use of this technology, but Audubon supports studies to determine the possible advantages and disadvantages to their use, before forming an official position.
The Corps of Engineers has a controversial history on environmental issues, but with recent efforts to restore the Everglades and other South Florida ecosystems, we have found them to be very cooperative in trying to do the best they can for natural system management, considering the significant limitations of our aged water management system.
We appreciate the time the Colonel and his staff, and that SFWMD and FWC took, to see the lake and discuss the issues surrounding it. |
 | Hunting the Hunter
Click Mark Renz photo (and Venice Beach diving find)
for more on this massive ancient shark
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CREW Land & Water Trust
Check out this beautiful new wildlife camera photo of a FL panther near the CREW Marsh Trails, #4 on map. Thanks to volunteer Bob Melin for monitoring this camera at CREW!
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You are Invited - Anglers Count Bash
Plan to come to Jensen Beach at River Palm Fish Camp , Saturday, July 7, for a celebration of the Anglers Count Atlantic Derby. Food, music, info booths, opportunities to fish, paddle, and special recognitions for Derby participants - it all adds up to a very fun, easy, good time!
- More than 1000 hours of fishing logged!
- Angler Prizes to be Awarded!
- Dinner, Live Music, Raffle and Silent Auction!
- River Palm Cottages & Fish Camp, 2325 NE Indian River Drive, Jensen Beach, FL 34957 772 334 0401
Mark your calendar: Join us for the "support charities" Cruising For A Cause in Ft. Myers on July 19th at Grand Opening of West Marine super store.
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http://thewaterinstitute.org/
The Water Institute of the Gulf was formed in 2011 as a not-for-profit,
independent research institute dedicated to advancing the
understanding of coastal and deltaic systems and applying this
knowledge for the benefit of society. In collaboration with public,
private and academic partners, The Water Institute of the Gulf studies
coastal and deltaic systems to preserve and protect the U.S.'s Gulf
Coast environment, a major source of natural and industrial resources,
while developing and sharing cutting-edge technology with the goal of
advancing water management efforts worldwide.
http://thewaterinstitute.org/about-us/
The Board of Directors:
http://thewaterinstitute.org/bios/board-of-directors/
---
Advisors: Science and Engineering Advisory Council
http://thewaterinstitute.org/bios/advisors/
(Excerpt)
Fred Sklar, Ph.D., director of the South Florida Water Management
District's Everglades division. Sklar's expertise includes landscape
ecology, coastal and wetland ecology, ecosystem modeling, adaptive
management for wetland restoration and computer applications in
environmental science. His modeling experience was used in preparing
the 2012 Louisiana Coastal Master Plan.
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 | Rain = Ressurection Time
Resurrection fern -- Mark Renz photo
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Joint Technical Advisory Committee and Science Forum
TAC Meeting Wed. July 11, 2012 in Fort Myers from 9:00 am to 3:45 pm
SFWMD Lower West Coast Service Center.
THIS MEETING IS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
Two or more members of the Everglades West and Caloosahatchee Basin Working Groups, Peace River Basin Management Advisory Committee, Southwest Florida Regional Planning Council may be in attendance and may discuss matters that could come before the respective bo
Action Item: Motion to recommend that CHNEP submit the comment letter to the USACOE for the DAEIS for the CFPD.
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Save the Date! 2012 RedSnook Catch & Release Charity Tournament
November 2 - 4, 2012
Angler and guide participation encouraged to help save our waters.
NAPLES, Fla. ( ) - Clean Water! More Fish! Save the date for the Conservancy of Southwest Florida 2012 RedSnook Catch and Release Charity Tournament scheduled for November 2-4. The presenting sponsor for the 2012 event is The Johnson Meland Group at Morgan Stanley Private Wealth Management. Allen Systems Group is the "Stars and Stripes" sponsor which will allow two teams of selected veterans to participate in the Tournament. Additional sponsorship opportunities are available. To become a sponsor, call 239-403-4219 or emailnikkied@conservancy.org.
The Tournament is open to all amateur anglers. Awards will be presented to the top teams in each division, largest fish, grand slam, corporate team and top female angler.
Dr. Aaron Adams, Director of Operations for the non-profit Bonefish and Tarpon Trust and Senior Scientist at Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium, is the Honorary Chair for the three-day event. His pursuit of effective fisheries and habitat conservation are rooted in his years growing up near Chesapeake Bay, when he witnessed the collapse of the Bay's habitats and fisheries. Adams spends considerable effort translating science and conservation into fishermen's terms, has given countless presentations to fishing clubs, and he is an avid fly angler.
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Watery Foundation has posted a new item |
In Blue Revolution, award-winning journalist Cynthia Barnett reports on the many ways one of the most water-rich nations on the planet has squandered its way to scarcity, and argues the best solution is also the simplest and least expensive: a water ethic for America. ... The first book to call for a national water ethic, Blue Revolution is also a powerful meditation on water and community in America. |
 | Giant airplant discovered at Okaloacoochee Slough State Preserve
(Okay, so it only appears big...)
Mark Renz photo art
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Eco-Voice Moderator
Eco-Voice, Inc.
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