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Saturday, July 21st, 2012 #1372 |
The Kingfisher Newsletters
Each quarter we publish our newsletter The Kingfisher. It details what's going on in the organization and what's happening with our river. Inside you'll find news, events, awards relating to The St. Johns Riverkeeper.
Summer 2012
Speak Up for Florida's Waters. Protect our Conservation Lands. Nutrient Pollution Standards. Download |
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My Mentor
I want to be like an old bald cypress
that drops its needles in the dry season -
appearing weak and vulnerable
but in reality, is gathering strength
by saving energy when times are hard
and then refoliates
when refreshed by summer rains
Mark Renz photo & words
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 EPA to Review Technical Information on Mercury and Air Toxics Standards for New Power Plants Routine review has no impact on cost or vital health benefits of first national standards for mercury pollution WASHINGTON - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is reviewing technical information that is focused on pollution limits for new power plants under the Mercury and Air Toxics Standards, based on new information provided by industry stakeholders after the rule was finalized. This review, which is not an uncommon step for major standards, will have no impact on the sensible, achievable, and cost-effective standards already set for existing power plants, which will protect millions of families and, especially, children from air pollution. By moving quickly to review the new information, this action will provide greater certainty for five planned future facilities, in Georgia, Kansas, Texas, and Utah, that would be covered by the standards. This review will not change the expected costs or public health benefits of the rule. EPA's Mercury and Air Toxics Standards, which take advantage of existing flexibilities, are the first national standards to protect American families from power plant emissions of mercury and toxic air pollution like arsenic, acid gas, nickel, selenium, and cyanide. By ensuring that existing power plants install widely available pollution control equipment, the standards will prevent as many as 11,000 premature deaths and 4,700 heart attacks a year. The standards will also help America's children grow up healthier-- preventing 130,000 cases of childhood asthma symptoms and about 6,300 fewer cases of acute bronchitis among children each year. EPA will review monitoring issues related to the mercury standards for new power plants and will address other technical issues on the acid gas and particle pollution standards for these plants. The agency's review will not change the types of state-of-the-art pollution controls new power plants are expected to use to reduce this harmful pollution. This type of review, known as a "reconsideration," is a routine tool that EPA often uses to ensure that its standards incorporate all relevant information, in cases where information only becomes available after a rule is promulgated. The agency's decision to reconsider the standards for new sources reflects its ongoing commitment to work with industry and other stakeholders to ensure that all of EPA's standards protect public health while being achievable and cost-effective. The agency will follow an expedited, open and transparent process that includes public comment on any proposed changes. The agency will complete the rulemaking by March 2013 and will also use its Clean Air Act authority to stay the final standards for new power plants for three months during this review. More information: http://epa.gov/mats/actions.html
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The next meeting of the County Coalition for Responsible Management of Lake Okeechobee, St. Lucie and Caloosahatchee Estuaries and Lake Worth Lagoon will be held onWednesday, August 1st at 10:00 a.m. at the Judge William L. Hendry Courtroom, located at 304 NW 2nd Street, Okeechobee Florida, 34972 |
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Corps achieves major construction milestone at Tamiami Trail
Story and photo by Jenn Miller
A major milestone for the Tamiami Trail Modifications project was reached shortly after midnight July 13 as the first concrete pour on the bridge deck was completed.
MIAMI-DATE COUNTY, Fla. - A major milestone for the Tamiami Trail Modifications project was reached shortly after midnight July 13 as the first concrete pour on the bridge deck was completed.
"This is a major milestone for the team as it signifies the start toward the end of the project's bridge construction," said U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Jacksonville District project manager Tim Brown.
The completion of the first concrete pour signifies the first piece of the road base being filled in on the one-mile bridge. A bridge, that once completed, will allow increased water flows into Everglades National Park.
"This is indeed a major milestone," said Everglades National Park project manager Dave Sikkema. "Everglades National Park appreciates all of the effort that has been made to reach this point."
Construction of the $81 million Tamiami Trail project, a key component of the Modified Water Deliveries to Everglades Nation Park, began in 2010. The project includes constructing a one-mile bridge and raising and reinforcing an additional 9.7 miles of road, allowing increased water flows that are essential to the health and viability of the Everglades.
"As we applaud this milestone it is clear that we've come a long way since November 2009," said Brown. "However, there is still more work to do and it is our collective discipline that will ensure our project's success."
Read more: http://www.dvidshub.net/news/91819/corps-achieves-major-construction-milestone-tamiami-trailixzz21A3MzoXL
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Low budget traveler
Mark Renz photo
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Thousands of activists have already taken action to protect our rivers. But we need to send a clear message to policymakers reminding them that Americans want clean, healthy rivers. Will you take action for this year's endangered rivers?
Protecting rivers is not just about aesthetics, but about every American's right to clean water and all the benefits rivers provide. Most of our drinking water comes from rivers and streams, but many of our rivers are too polluted to use.
We cannot afford to turn back the clock on clean water safeguards. Will you take action for this year's endangered rivers?
Together, we can save each of this year's most endangered rivers -- and rivers nationwide for generations to come.
Thank you for your continued support for our rivers.
For the rivers,
Wm. Robert Irvin
President
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A Message To The World
The countdown has started! We will be joining hands around the globe on August 4th, 2012 at noon in your timezone. Thousands of people will join hands to say NO to filthy fuels and YES to clean energy sources. Click on your state to see where there are events or click on Join Hands on our web page and post an event. Please promote your event using alternative transportation to get to your events. Car pool, bike, take your electric car, skateboard, walk, swim, Segway and most of all, public transportation.
Any person in the world can download tools to create their own event and join hands with their friends and neighbors at 12:00 noon in all world time zones. The event will begin in New Zealand, move across the world, and end in Hawaii.
We are joining hands for clean energy. We are joining hands to keep near and offshore oil drilling out of our waters. We are joining hands to end our dependence on the dirty fuels that foul our air, water and food.
Hands Across The Sand is a 501c3 non profit organization.
Mission Statement
- To bring together like-minded individuals and organizations with the conviction to organize a Global movement to promote a clean energy future for our earth and end our dependence on dirty fuel sources. These gatherings will bring thousands of American and Global citizens to our beaches and cities and will draw metaphorical and actual lines in the sand; human lines in the sand against the threats Fossil Fuels and offshore oil drilling pose to our present and future planet.
- To convince our State Legislators, Governors, Congress and President Obama and World leaders to adopt policies encouraging the growth of clean and renewable energy sources in place of oil and coal.
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Kelly Telford, a member of the Naples community. This story is neither endorsed by nor affiliated with the Naples Daily News. ....
Join us and the rest of the world, on Fort Myers Beach, to 'draw a line in the sand', to protect our waters and our shores by saying NO TO OFFSHORE DRILLING & YES TO CLEAN ENERGY!!! HANDS ACROSS THE SAND was created locally by Dave Rauschkolb, in Florida--the first event being in February 2010. That following April, came the BP Deep Water Horizon Spill, which brought massive worldwide attendance to the event in June 2010! The following year, June 2011 event, was a success but with less attendance...out of sight out of mind! Let's show the world that Ft. Myers Beach is important to all of us and that we strive to protect our pristine piece of paradise from the chaos experienced in Louisiana & Mississippi!!
This year's event will be held at CRESCENT BEACH FAMILY PARK on Ft. Myers Beach and is co-sponsored by Lee County Parks & Recreation. The park is located at: 1100 Estero Blvd Fort Myers Beach, FL 33931, between the Top O' Mast & Nemo's, [MAP] where all can meet, starting at 11:00 AM to browse the many local environmental information booths, as well as enjoying a local musician, Keith Clanton, live, on the beach, powered by FAFCO SOLAR!!!
There will be giveaways, activities and fun for future generations to develop awareness of our fragile ecosystem and the need to preserve it! At noon, we will join HANDS for 15 minutes, to show solidarity to protect our world from disasters such at the BP Horizon oil spill.
Among the organizers, Robin Curley, John Heim and Lena Neroni invite all of you to...TAKE A STAND, MAKE A DIFFERENCE!!!
Contact information for FMB event: Robin A. Curley (239)265-6552
Facebook event page: https://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Fort-Myers-Beach-FL-Hands-Across-The-Sand/175316592525482
Official website: www.handsacrossthesand.com
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My Word: Cooperation key to saving Fla.'s waters
by Herschel T. Vinyard
July 20, 2012
As a Jacksonville native and St. Johns River enthusiast, I take the health of our waters personally. I sharethe frustrations of my fellow Floridians that some of our state's water bodies - including our springs - have been in serious decline for years.
Our water bodies are facing real, longstanding and complex problems that we won't be able to fix overnight. We know there is much to be done, which is why the Florida Department of Environmental Protection is working with the state's water-management districts, local governments and stakeholders to address the issues facing our water bodies.
Last year, with the support of Gov. Rick Scott, DEP elevated its Office of Water Policy to an invigorated, higher-profile role in the agency. Part of the idea for this office came after a family trip to Stephen Foster State Park in Hamilton County. During our visit, we learned the mighty spring that once flowed through the park essentially stopped flowing about three decades ago. A key role of the new office is to focus on preserving Florida's water resources through better coordination of science and policy at DEP and throughout Florida's water-management districts.
Because the rivers and tributaries that feed our springs flow beyond district boundaries, it's imperative that our science doesn't end at the district lines. We must take into account what's going on upstream or in the neighboring district to truly understand the impacts downstream.
An example of this collaborative approach is the Central Florida Water Initiative, an agreement launched between DEP, three water-management districts, local government and various stakeholders to study regional water demands and identify cross-boundary groundwater issues. We have started a similar effort to protect the waters and springs in North Florida, and we've also deployed the scientists at DEP's Florida Geological Survey to work with the St. Johns and Southwest Florida water-management districts to share data on Silver and Rainbow springs.
The efforts we've initiated over the past year are creating a better path to protecting Florida's waters and springs. DEP recognizes that the only way to resolve the water body issues is by working with our partners and stakeholders. We remain committed to moving forward to ensure a sustainable supply of water for Floridians and our environment. We have to do this now, and we must succeed.
Herschel T. Vinyard Jr. is secretary of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.
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Roadkill King
Crested caracara
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A coalition of over 6,300 organizations supporting increased and dedicated funding for wildlife conservation education and nature based recreation. |
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The Teaming With Wildlife Staff
TWW Associate202-624-5429
Administrative Assistant202-624-5829
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ACTION ALERT (Urgent)
Your Help is Needed to Save Funding for the State and Tribal Wildlife Grants Program
Once again the US House of Representatives has proposed a massive (50%) cut to the State and Tribal Wildlife Grants Program for the fiscal year starting in September. This program has already been cut by over 30% since 2010. We understand the fiscal constraints of the country and know everyone needs to do their part. However this large and disproportionate cut to a successful program that is preventing endangered species listings does not make economic sense. We know that when a species has to be federally listed, costs skyrocket! The last two years the US Senate has worked hard to restore funding to this program but only after they heard from the Teaming With Wildlife coalition. Please consider adding your organization's name to the attached letter to the Chair and Ranking Member of the Senate Interior Appropriations Committee. Time is of the essence so the deadline for signing on is August 17th. Send an email with your organization's name and state to mhumpert@fishwildlife.org to sign on. Help us reach our goal of at least 300 organizations by the deadline to send a strong statement of support for the program. Thanks for all that you do to support fish and wildlife conservation.
Click here to view the Teaming With Wildlife National Sign on Letter
Deadline: August 17, 2012
Send an email with your organization's name and state to mhumpert@fishwildlife.org
to sign on.
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Best Practices
Mary Pfaffko
The SWAP Best Practices Working Group is developing a set of best practices that states may use voluntarily to revise their State Wildlife Action Plans (SWAP). The purpose is to help create consistency across the plans to enable better use for landscape-level conservation and easier navigation for partners. Examples include standardizing criteria for identifying species of greatest conservation need, prioritizing species, habitats, threats, and conservation actions, and making use of the latest innovations in mapping. The practices are voluntary for states that aspire to go above and beyond the basic requirements to apply lessons learned over the past 10 years since SWAPs were developed. These efforts to make the SWAPs the best they can be are important to demonstrate to Congress as it develops its annual budget for the State and Tribal Wildlife Grants (SWG) program, which is the primary funding source for SWAP implementation.
The first draft of the best practices document just underwent a 2-week comment period by SWAP Coordinators and state Wildlife Diversity Program Managers. A second 2-week opportunity for review and comment will be opened up for the larger conservation community on July 9, 2012.
The group is comprised of 23 members from state fish and wildlife agencies, the US Fish and Wildlife Service, and the National Wildlife Federation. The group convened in February 2012 after the need was identified at the Wildlife Diversity Program Manager meeting in January. The group meets via conference call and had one in-person meeting in Austin, TX in May. The group endeavors to submit the final product for approval to the Teaming With Wildlife Committee at its next meeting in September 2012. |
| Become a Member of the Teaming With Wildlife Coalition
The TWW Coalition includes state fish & wildlife agencies, wildlife biologists, hunters, anglers, birdwatchers, hikers, nature-based businesses and other conservationists who support the goal of restoring and conserving our nation's wildlife. Individual members will receive our WILD Call Newsletter. If you are a group you will be added to the 6,300 coalition member list and receive our WILD Call Newsletter. Sign UP here at www.teaming.com |
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I am pleased to announce the selection of Lesley Bertolotti as Principal Scientist in the Office of Everglades Policy and Coordination. Lesley currently serves as Lead Project Manager in the Office of State Policy and Coordination and brings to the position a strong knowledge of the Northern Everglades Protection Program and other state and federal water resource protection programs and regulations, including the Florida Department of Environmental Protection's Total Maximum Daily Load and Basin Action Management Plan programs and the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration program. In her new role, Lesley will be responsible for all Northern Everglades program management activities including both internal and external coordination.
Lesley has a Master of Science in Environmental Science from Florida Atlantic University and a Bachelor of Science in Zoology from Michigan State University.
Lesley Bertolotti
lbertolo@sfwmd.gov
561-682-6415
Please join me in welcoming Lesley to her new role.
Ernie Barnett
Director of Everglades Policy and Coordination
South Florida Water Management District
3301 Gun Club Road, MS 8110
West Palm Beach, Florida 33406
(561) 951-2840 |
Having researched the Everglades intensively while at the U. S. Army War College in 2008-2009, I read and scoured through dozens of well-known resources and there is none better than Godfrey and Catton's "River of Interests," commissioned by the Corps in 2004. "River of Interests" is the best book I've found to date to provide the reader with a comprehensive understanding of the Everglades' story and journey in a factual, clear and candid manner.
Colonel, U. S. Army
Jacksonville District Commander
July 2009 - July 2012
Col. Pantano has been deployed to Afghanistan. We thank him for his service here and wish him safe travels and a speedy return to his family. The Moderator |
Forum on Cape Coral Ceitus Spreader System.
SWF Watershed Council August 16th from 1:30 pm
Royal Palm Yacht Club in Ft. Myers
The next regular public forum hosted by the SWF Watershed Council will August 16th from 1:30 pm to 3:00 pm in the second floor Edison Room at the Royal Palm Yacht Club (RPYC). This month's presentation topic will be the Ceitus Spreader Canal and impacts on Matlacha Pass and Pine Island.
Register
The RPYC is located at 2360 West 1st Street in Fort Myers.
All are welcome to attend this free program.
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Rush hour on the ranch
Mark Renz photo
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The America's Great Outdoors report, announced in 2011 by the US Interior Department, includes a recommendation on establishing a National Recreational Blueway Trails Initiative.
Discussions are underway on how to create a Blueways program and how it would relate to the existing National Recreation Trails program.
See more resources on water trails |
Red Tide and Algal Blooms
No reports of blooms.
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:
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and click on "Harmful Algal Bloom Species". |
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Kayak jumper
Mark Renz photo
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Sincerely,
Eco-Voice Moderator
Eco-Voice, Inc.
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