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Thursday, August 2nd, 2012 #1384
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And the lucky ol sunain't got nothin to dobut roll around heaven all day -- Willie Nelson
Mark Renz photo
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 SFWMD WRAC Meeting Today, August 2nd. West Palm |
The Water Resources Advisory Commission (WRAC) is an advisory body to the SFWMD Governing Board and the South Florida Ecosystem Restoration Task Force. It is a forum for improving public participation and decision-making about water resource issues in South and Central Florida.
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In a 3-2 vote yesterday, the Lee County commission approved sending a letter to the South Florida Water Management District, supporting back pumping into Lake Okeechobee as an option to augment water flows down the Caloosahatchee. News-Press
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By Editorial Board
Wednesday, August 1, 2012
Is anyone at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers listening?
It's a fair question.
Why does it take a lawsuit - like the one filed recently by three environmental groups in southwest Florida - to get the Corps' attention?
Algae blooms have fouled the Caloosahatchee River - the west coast counterpart of the St. Lucie River - eight of the past 11 years. Too little freshwater released from Lake Okeechobee raises salinity levels in the Caloosahatchee, creating stagnant water that can destroy plant and animal life. This recurring problem has closed a drinking water plant in eastern Lee County that serves 40,000 residents and prompted public health warnings.
If the latter sounds familiar, it's because our region has experienced almost identical problems.
In 1998, dozens of species of fish developed nasty lesions following discharges from the lake. In 2005, the South Fork of the St. Lucie River turned green when an algae bloom, triggered by discharges from Lake Okeechobee, choked oxygen from the estuary. Then, two years ago, "No Swimming" warnings were posted for the water in the St. Lucie River after the Corps wedged open flood gates to allow 1,800 cubic feet of water per second to flow from the lake.
The lawsuit, filed by Earthjustice on behalf of the Environmental Confederation of Southwest Florida, the Florida Wildlife Federation and the Conservancy of Southwest Florida, seeks to force the Corps to change the way it operates water control gates on the Caloosahatchee.
Environmentalists on the west coast simply are asking for something environmentalists in our region have been advocating for years: greater flexibility on the Corps' part with respect to water releases from the lake.
The ultimate solution for the Caloosahatchee and St. Lucie rivers - and their respective watersheds - is for the Corps and South Florida Water Management District to create a flow-way to move water south from Lake Okeechobee to the Everglades. While some progress has been made toward this objective, steps in this direction are moving at a glacial pace. It may be years - even decades - before this solution become reality.
In the interim, the Corps needs to listen to residents on both sides of the lake and adopt a strategy that protects and preserves these vital watersheds. The Corps' policy is wreaking havoc on our waterways. |
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We are fortunate that youth is stronger and more beautiful than wise so we have something to look forward to in old age Mark Renz photo art & words
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Volunteers Needed for Clam Bayou Mangrove Restoration
Be part of the ongoing restoration of mangroves in Clam Bayou! SCCF's Marine Lab will be collecting and planting red mangroves in August (10, 11, 24, 25, 31) and September (1, 7, 8) continuing a project begun in 2003. Volunteers are needed. Please call 395-4617 or email marinelab@sccf.org if you are able to join us. Pre-registration is required.
Click here for printable PDF fact sheet. Click here if you would like to learn more about our Clam Bayou Mangrove Restoration Project.
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The Sierra Club has released a new study, revealing that the days of cheap, affordable coal fired power are now over. The report, Locked In: The Financial Risks of New Coal-Fired Power Plants in Today's Volatile International Coal Market, challenges the traditional view that coal is a cheap and reliable energy option for countries around the world. At a time when coal-fired power is at a historic low in the U.S. and the EU, the report warns of developing countries locking themselves into coal plant investments that face significant financial risk from rising costs.
Authored by Bruce Buckheit, former director of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Air Enforcement Office, the report upends a common argument in favor of coal investment-that it is cheap and affordable.....
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http://www.fws.gov/southeast/evergladesheadwaters/quotes.html
"Working in close partnership with landowners, we are taking a major step to safeguard the long-term health of the Everglades in the Kissimmee Valley, while ensuring the area's ranching and farming heritage and economy remain strong."
- Interior Secretary Ken Salazar |
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Sheet flow music Mark Renz photo
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The Everglades Headwaters National Wildlife Refuge and Conservation Area authorized by Secretary of Interior Ken Salazar in January 2012 has seen a groundswell of landowner enthusiasm. As of the first week in June, over 30 ranchland property owners have now filed formal requests with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to sell easements protecting habitat and wildlife resources on their properties to the Department of Interior. The ranch owners who have formally applied to sell easements thus far represent more than 160,000 acres of land within the proposed refuge boundary.
Since the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's target for acquisition of easements and fee acquisitions was initially set at 150,000 acres, the landowner interest in selling easements can only be termed an overwhelming success.
Audubon has visited with many landowners and previously contacted every landowner in the Kissimmee watershed providing information and encouragement regarding participation in easement based and "payment for services" based conservation and water resource programs.
Audubon's view is that the Everglades Headwaters Refuge program is a "double win" for the remarkable environment in the Kissimmee Watershed.
The outstanding landowner interest in this program is important because in order for success to be assured, the funding for the acquisition of easements in the Everglades Headwaters Refuge and Conservation Area will have to be increased over time. Currently, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has only $1.5 million available for funding purchases in the designated Everglades Headwaters refuge area. The budget proposed for the next fiscal year contains only $3 million for purchases in this area.
Northern Everglades landowners have formed their own organization, the "Northern Everglades Alliance" to generate congressional support for action to adequately fund the Everglades Headwaters Refuge and Conservation Area purchases.
The first part of the "win" is permanent protection of the land against the possibility of future development destroying its hydrologic and wildlife habitat benefits. The second part of the "win" is that payments to cattle ranch owners in the Everglades Headwaters area will help keep ranching viable which is also important to the environment - ranchers have been excellent land stewards and are the reason the Kissimmee Watershed is one of the most ecologically productive and diverse parts of Florida. |
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commissioner Ron Bergeron
| "The FWC is a willing partner that can provide public hunting access on public lands acquired in fee-simple by the Service, something we find is imperative. We certainly see valuable conservation merits in targeting critical lands that support a rich diversity of natural resources. Conservation easements from willing private land owners are a smart tool to give ranching families an option that may help preserve their ranching heritage. The ranchers' long history as excellent land stewards have helped promote and sustain natural resource diversity in the basin. Continuing the ranching lifestyle in this landscape will continue conserving fish and wildlife resources and improve Everglades water resources as well." |
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Next CERP/CEPP August 28th. Webcast. With email comment link.
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Lake O Protection Plan
Lake Okeechobee
....Watershed is dominated by agricultural land uses that account for 51.2 percent of the total area (1.7 million acres); followed by natural areas including wetlands, upland forests, and water bodies (35.7 percent or 1.2 million acres); and urban areas (11.9 percent or ~410,000 acres), the majority of which lie within the Upper Kissimmee and Lake Istokpoga sub-watersheds
..... Although dairy farms in the northern basins cover less than
1 percent of the land use area, they represent a considerable source of phosphorus to some tributaries and up to 5 percent of the total external loading to the lake.....
http://www.sfwmd.gov/portal/page/portal/xrepository/sfwmd_repository_pdf/lopp_update_2011.pdf
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Deepwater Horizon Natural Resource Trustees
Announce Major Progress in Gulf Restoration Effort
by Ms Nicole
An estimated $60 million in early restoration projects soon will begin along the Gulf Coast
following the nation's largest oil spill, the Deepwater Horizon Natural Resource Damage
Assessment (NRDA) Trustee Council announced.
With finalization of the "Deepwater Horizon Phase I Early Restoration Plan & Environmental Assessment" (ERP/EA), eight restoration projects will be implemented. The projects provide
for marsh creation, coastal dune habitat improvements, nearshore artificial reef creation,
and oyster cultch restoration, as well as the construction and enhancement of boat ramps
to compensate for lost human use of resources.
The ERP/EA is the first early restoration plan under the unprecedented April 2011 agreement
with BP to fund $1 billion in early restoration projects. The funding enables the trustees
to begin restoration before the completion of damage assessment activities.
The trustees are working to move the next phase of early restoration forward. The selection
process for future early restoration projects will proceed along the same lines as the first.
After reaching preliminary agreement with BP on proposed projects, the trustees will
seek public comments before finalizing any future plan....
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Hemingway look-alike contestant Mark Renz photo
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Florida's Reuse Activities
Reuse has become an integral part of wastewater management, water resource management,
and ecosystem management in Florida.
During the past 20 years, Florida has risen to be recognized as a national leader (along with
California) in water reuse. Approximately 659 million gallons per day (mgd) of reclaimed
water was reused for beneficial purposes in 2010. This represents an average per capita
reuse of 35.08 gallons per day per person. Reusing 659 mgd of reclaimed water is estimated
to have avoided the use of over 121 billion gallons of potable quality water while serving
to add more than 80 billion gallons back to available ground water supplies.
The total reuse capacity of Florida's domestic wastewater treatment facilities has gone from
362 mgd in 1986 to 1,562 mgd in 2010 which amounts to an increase of 331 percent! The
current reuse capacity represents about 62 percent of the total permitted domestic wastewater
treatment capacity in Florida.
Florida's Reuse
Reclaimed water from public access reuse systems was used to irrigate 281,781 residences,
525 golf courses, 877 parks, and 324 schools. Irrigation of these areas accessible to the
public represented about 55 percent of the 659 mgd of reclaimed water reused.
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Colonel Alan M. Dodd Replaces Col. Al Pantano
Colonel Alan M. Dodd is the new Commander and District Engineer of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Jacksonville District. Col. Dodd assumed command on June 28, 2012.
Col. Dodd recently graduated from the U.S. Army War College at Carlisle Barracks, Pa. Prior to this assignment, he served as Commander, 27th Engineer Battalion (Combat) (Airborne), Fort Bragg, N.C., where he led the battalion during combat operations in Afghanistan for Operation Enduring Freedom from December 2009 to December 2010. Previous assignments include: Command Engineer, Joint Special Operations Command, Ft. Bragg, N.C.; Plans Branch Chief, Office of the Chief of Engineers, Headquarters, Department of the Army, Washington, D.C.; Special Assistant to the Commanding General, Headquarters, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Washington, D.C.; Battalion Executive Officer and Battalion Operations Officer (S3), 27th Engineer Battalion (Combat)(Airborne), Fort Bragg, N.C.; Command Engineer, 1st Corps Support Command, Fort Bragg, N.C.; Deputy Resident Engineer, Yokosuka Resident Office, Japan Engineer District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers; Commander, C Company and Battalion Assistant Operations Officer (S3), 317th Engineer Battalion (Combat), 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Benning, Ga.; Brigade Construction Officer, 20th Engineer Brigade (Combat)(Airborne Corps), Ft Bragg, N.C.; Executive Officer, Combat Engineer and Light Equipment Platoon Leader, B Company, 27th Engineer Battalion (Combat)(Airborne), Fort Bragg, N.C.
Col. Dodd was born and raised in Worcester, Mass. He enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1983 as an Atomic Demolitions Munitions Specialist and was assigned to the 66th Engineer Company (Atomic Demolition Munitions) at Ft Hood, Texas. In May 1989, he graduated from the U.S. Military Academy, West Point, N.Y. with a bachelor's degree in civil engineering and was commissioned in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. He has a master's degree in civil engineering from Pennsylvania State University. Col. Dodd is a graduate of the Army War College, Army Command and General Staff College, Combined Arms Services Staff School, Army Advanced Force Management Course, Engineer Officer Basic Course, Infantry Officer Advanced Course, 82nd Airborne Division Jumpmaster Course and the Air Movements Officer Course.
Col. Dodd's awards include the Bronze Star Medal with "V" device (three oak leaf clusters), Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (four oak leaf clusters), Army Commendation Medal (three oak leaf clusters), Army Achievement Medal (three oak leaf clusters), Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal with bronze service star, Southwest Asia Service Medal with two bronze service stars, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with two bronze service stars, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, Saudi and Kuwait Liberation Medals, NATO Medal, Overseas Service Ribbon, Combat Action Badge, Master Parachutist Badge, Australian, German, Japanese, Netherlands and Honduran Parachutist Badges, Army Staff Identification Badge and the Bronze Order of the deFleury Medal.
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Welcome to the Florida Youth Conservation Centers Network (FYCCN)
This bold new program jointly sponsored by the FWC and the Wildlife Foundation of Florida leads the effort to reconnect Florida's children with traditional outdoor activities.
A statewide network of conservation centers, it is designed to encourage and empower kids to participate in traditional outdoor recreation. Experts teach them how to safely enjoy the outdoor heritage we have worked so hard to maintain. The FYCCN includes Wild Outdoor Hubs offering deep-woods experiences that connect to Near Outdoor Centers offering experiences closest to children in their everyday lives.
Already in limited operation, the FYCCN is proving to be a formidable weapon in the fight against too much time spent indoors with electronic media and too little time spent outdoors with nature. But there is much more to be done, and we need your help to do it.
- We need businesses and organizations to become our partners.
- We need property owners and manufacturers to help us secure sites and resources.
- We need volunteers of every age and ability.
- We need fund-raising support and financial contributions.
Join with us to provide our youngsters the education and guidance they need to get safely engaged in traditional outdoor activities. Only in that way will they learn to love nature and the great outdoors, and be willing to accept stewardship of our precious outdoor heritage in the future. They will become the next generation that cares! |
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Lichen will outlive us all without ever forming a committee or acquiring a grant or arguing over water flow and quality or electing a political candidate or starting a war Perhaps we should be listening to someone other than ourselves Mark Renz photo and words
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Get Set for 'Kids Free Fridays' | |
If you thought last summer was fun, wait until you see what we have this year! We are celebrating marine mammals during changing weekly kid-friendly activities -- including a series of virtual dolphin encounter presentations and live video Q&A with trainers at the Dolphin Research Center in Marathon, Florida! Every Friday through Aug. 10. |
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'Oceans Edge' Summer Art Exhibit |
We again offer something whimsical and fun for children (and adults!) to enjoy in our Art Gallery during the summer.
Tampa artist Sigrid Tidmore's "Ocean's Edge: The Corridor of Life" through Sept. 7 includes 39 colorful paintings of sea life, birds, flowers and the environment. Images will include flamingos, giant tortoise, blue footed boobies,
iguanas and seals. |
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Calendar of Events | |
The Environmental Learning Center is open Monday through Friday now through October 30 and Saturdays from Nov. through April.
Wednesdays (9 to 11 am) - Guided Kayak Trips of Rookery Bay, Henderson Creek and mangrove tunnels. Fee for two-hour excursion is $45 ($40 members); includes equipment, instruction and learning center admission.
Through Sept. 7 -- "Ocean's Edge: The Corridor of Life" art exhibit.
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To August 10 (10 am to 2 pm) -- Kids Free Fridays.
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Snake in the Grass: An Everglades Invasion
By Larry Perez
Paperback: 200 pages
Publisher: Pineapple Press (March 1, 2012)
http://www.amazon.com/dp/1561645133
A plague is spreading throughout the Florida Everglades. Nonnative Burmese pythons--one of the largest snakes on the planet--are now known to be reproducing freely in the shallow waters of the famed River of Grass. Over the past decade, thousands of pythons have made themselves at home across the landscape. And though scientists work feverishly to learn as much as possible about this unprecedented invader, methods of control remain elusive.
Many questions remain in the wake of this troubling discovery. How far north might the Burmese python venture from the Everglades wilderness? What might their presence mean for the countless birds and mammals--some of them endangered--with which south Florida has become synonymous? And does history seem poised to repeat itself as new, large reptiles are discovered to be thriving in the area's favorable climate? The story unfolding in the Florida Everglades provides new opportunities to revisit our understanding of wilderness and man's place within it."
A ranger in Everglades National Park describes one of the most significant biological disasters in our nation-the invasion of potentially tens of thousands of nonnative Burmese pythons. Nowhere else on the planet has a species of snake so large, up to 200 pounds, established itself beyond its native range. They have already consumed dozens of species of birds, mammals and reptiles in south Florida-several of them threatened or endangered.
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Everglades National Park Interview: Larry Perez
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=En24IRdvsvQ
Everglades Invasives
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8CFL9gdcYAk
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Sincerely,
Eco-Voice Moderator
Eco-Voice, Inc.
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