Join Apalachicola Riverkeeper
Join Riverkeeper
|
|
|
|
|
Updates, Changes, Activities...
There's been a lot going on since our last newsletter.
The oil spill crisis has abated for the time being.
Volunteer opportunities were happening with the Indian Creek sea-grass planting and the Coastal clean-up project.
And ongoing projects like the ACFS Stakeholders met to continue their search for a comprehensive solution to theAlabama, Florida, and Georgia "water wars".
We completed a successful fund raiser with the Jack Johnson Foundation, and we have another in progress, RiverTrek 2010.
|
| The Ongoing Mission of Riverkeeper...
|
 | | ACFS Meeting. Apalachicola Riverkeeper Dan Tonsmeire at right |
ACFS Stakeholders
The Apalachicola Riverkeeper was well represented at the September 22 & 23, 2010, quarterly meeting of the ACF Stakeholders, ACFS Stakeholders. Dan Tonsmeire participated as the Apalachicola sub-basin representative on the four member ACFS executive committee and David McLain and Riverkeeper Board member Chad Taylor participated as members of the 56-member ACFS governing board.
This was the fourth meeting of the ACFS governing board and we're pleased to say that the group has navigated most of its procedural hurdles. A consortium of facilitators from Auburn University and the University of Georgia facilitated the meeting; this consortium, with the addition of facilitators from the University of Florida, is now on contract to facilitate all of the meetings of the ACFS.
If you've been following the progress of the ACFS and the Apalachicola Riverkeeper's participation in it, you'll know that one of our primary objectives is to get the group to demand that there be a comprehensive assessment of the ecological capacity and needs of and consumptive demands on the Apalachicola-Chattahoochee-Flint River and groundwater system. The surface and ground waters of the ACF are finite and until we understand how much water and in what flow cycles is required to sustain ecological integrity in the ACF and the present and future withdrawals from the surface and ground waters we will be destined to deplete and degrade the system. Time is not on the Apalachicola's side and twenty years of litigation have not produced a resolution. Your Apalachicola sub-basin representatives, led by Riverkeeper Dan Tonsmeire, convinced the ACFS governing board to commit ACFS funds to the development of this initiative.
In addition, the Apalachicola sub-basins representatives, through the initiative of Bill McCartney, brought a draft action plan to the governing board. This precipitated action by the governing board to develop and commit to a plan for substantive ACFS action. In this vein, the ACFS voted to develop a position on the upcoming draft revised Water Control Manual that the US Army Corps of Engineers will release for public comment in the spring of 2011.
We believe that the ACFS has unprecedented potential to contribute to the progressive resolution of the ACF water wars. The Apalachicola Riverkeeper is a party in the twenty-year old ACF litigation, but all indications are that the litigation may last another twenty years, which with Georgia's continually increasing water consumptive is not good for the Apalachicola. We hoped that Judge Magnuson's 2009 ruling that the Corps was illegally managing the federal reservoir system by providing for Georgia's consumptive water uses would precipitate positive dialogue among the states. In fact, the governors of each state "committed" to finding a resolution by the end of 2010. With Georgia's appeal of the 2009 decision (oral arguments are slated for the week of January 24, 2011, before the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals in Atlanta), Florida's recently filed appeal of Judge Magnuson's 2010 decision, and Georgia Senators Issakson and Chambliss' introduction of legislation to reauthorize Lake Lanier for water supply indicate that states aren't talking.
 | | ACFS meeting in progress, September 22 & 23. |
The Apalachicola Riverkeeper is also working hard to get the Corps to expand the scope of the environmental impact review that it doing of its water control manual revision. Unfortunately, the Corps shows no indication that it will broaden its review beyond the narrow scope of the authorized purposes for the federal reservoirs. In other words, the Corps will not review alternative plan components or impacts of its operations such as water conservation, seafood production, or ecological integrity. In fact, Dan Tonsmeire and David McLain travelled to Washington, DC to meet with Jo Ellen Darcy, Assistant Secretary of the Corps of Engineers, Civil Works to try and convince her to take a broader view. Their admonitions fell on deaf ears. And recently, Andy Smith met with Pete Taylor, the chief administrator for the revision of the water control manual; Taylor informed Smith that the Corps received a huge volume of comments (if it had of been a fish it would have been more than a foot tall!) from myriad stakeholders, each wanting the Corps to includes its interests in the scoping. Not to be, not to be, was the answer.
We will keep working every angle we see. It just may be that until the ACF stakeholders speak with a unified voice, nothing will knock the powers-that-be off their frustrating, closed, and destructive course.
The next meeting of the ACFS governing board will be in Albany, Georgia in December 2010.
|
|
Indian Creek Sea Grass Planting
If you haven't been to Indian Creek Park in Eastpoint recently, you should make a trip. Your Apalachicola Riverkeeper, Dan Tonsmeire, has been moving mountains to finish our Shoreline Restoration project there by the end of this year. Dan led the planting of spartina alternaflora, spartine patens, and muley grass ...... and the implementation of the final design for a reconstructed drive and recreational area. He even installed a well and an irrigation system, by hand!
There is no way we could have moved the project without the wonderful assistance of Rosalyn Kilcollins, who is a pro at designing and implementing "living shorelines" like we are creating at the Park. Rosalyn, who is the Coastal Training Program Coordinator for the Apalachicola National Estuarine Research Reserve, made it happen by coordinating the efforts of the Franklin County Schools in helping us plant approximately 2,000 marsh grass plants on September 8 & 9 and again on September 24.We're thankful that our schools have teachers like Lydia Countryman and Spencer Tolbert who brought, instructed, and watched over 25 middle schoolers to help out. We had a great day of planting!
Franklin County has been our lead partner throughout the course of the project. Recently, the County has provided us with engineering services (thank you Dan Rothwell!), moved rock, dirt, and trees (thanks Alan Pierce! thanks Will Umberto and Reggie from Lubertos! thanks Fonda Davis!) pitched in on the purchase of plants, and coordinated inmate labor.We'd also like to thank Dink and Carole Braxton who have provided water, electricity (for the pump), and supplies and George Allen who loaned us the pump. On planting day Turner Bain worked for hours through the intense late summer sun as did Mike and Robin Vroegop (who also contributed and planted red maples).
In addition, one of our long-time volunteers, Neva Watford, has been Dan's right arm in ensuring that all phases of the project go to completion. Neva's dogged every problem, searched out every solution, and been the glue that's held it together.
Through the Indian Creek Shoreline Restoration project, Dan has created a lasting, tangible legacy that improves habitat, fish production, and beauty. Get over there and check it out!
|
|
CHATTAHOOCHEE LANDINGS
For a couple of years we've been monitoring the city of Chattahoochee's proposed land use changes that it is developing to accommodate George Kirvin Floyd's plans for his property, Chattahoochee Landings, just downstream of the public boat ramp on the Apalachicola River.The proposed comprehensive plan amendments are for twenty floodplain acres, five of which are adjacent to Mosquito Creek and the Apalachicola River and were heavily impacted by Martin Marietta's gravel operations.The property is adjacent to beds of some of the Apalachicola's endangered mussels and is just downstream from some of the few remaining sturgeon spawning beds.George Kirvin Floyd, who also owns a canoe livery, the Dam Store, at Lake Lanier and is the force behind the resurrected Apalachicola Maritime Museum, has a superlative vision of using world class nature-based recreation to unite the entire Apalachicola-Chattahoochee-Flint River basin.In fact, except for his proposed fueling station, we admire his plan for Chattahoochee Landings.We've been talking with George and his planner about the fueling station and hope that he will use a wheeled, state-of-technology, system that can be removed in times of high water.The final public hearing on the proposed changes will be November 16th at 6:30 p.m.
|
|
Save Our Gulf: A Coalition of Gulf Coast Waterkeepers
The Apalachicola Riverkeeper has banded with the other six waterkeepers on the Gulf Coast - Emerald Coastkeeper, Mobile Baykeeper, Lower Mississippi Riverkeeper, Louisiana Bayoukeeper, Atchafalaya Basinkeeper, and Galveston Baykeeper - to address the repercussions of the Deepwater Horizon disaster. Through Save Our Gulf the waterkeepers are conducting focused monitoring to determine the existence and extent of direct impacts, advocating for full restoration of the Gulf of Mexico and the Gulf coast, and keeping public attention on the need to reform drilling policy in the Gulf. In addition, through our parent organization, the Waterkeeper Alliance, we are supporting a Clean Water Act lawsuit against the US Environmental Protection Agency for its failure to test dispersants. You can read a copy of the 60-day notice letter to EPA on our website, Apalachicola Riverkeeper. Along with the other Gulf Coast waterkeepers, Andy Smith attended a Gulf Gathering hosted by the Gulf Restoration Network at the Episcopal Camp Beckwith at Weeks Bay, Alabama. More than forty organizations from across the Gulf Coast were at the conference and developed "The Beckwith Principles" for the restoration of the Gulf of Mexico. You can read the principles on our website, Apalachicola Riverkeeper. The expressed goal from the principles reads: Six months after the BP oil disaster began the diverse communities that live, work, and derive benefit from the Gulf call on the government to take responsibility to: · Make coastal communities whole again; · Commit to cleaning up and restoring the Gulf; · Hold BP accountable; · Ensure local participation in decision-making; · Conduct short and long-term monitoring; and · Invest in economic opportunities to support locally-driven, sustainable recovery that restores and enhances America's Gulf coast. See more at: Save Our Gulf.
We will continue to work with the Gulf Restoration Network. |
OSPREY Coastal Monitoring Program
In addition, the Apalachicola Riverkeeper is seeking funds to keep OSPREY alive. Robin Vroegop has done a tremendous job developing initial protocols, training volunteers, and organizing the data. We submitted a grant proposal to the Community Foundation of North Florida.
Check out the videos at: OSPREY |
Seed-Stock Sanctuary
Another of our initiatives to address the potential impacts of the Deepwater Horizon disaster was Dan Tonsmeire and David McLain's creation of the Seed-Stock Sanctuary concept.With the help of GIS mapping expert and Riverkeeper volunteer Lisa Cole, Dan and Dave mapped out eleven "sanctuaries" in the waters of Franklin County and developed price lists for materials and labor to cordon off sea grasses, oyster reefs, marshes and mangroves (yes, Franklin County has a small population of mangroves on Dog Island). They found "hydrophobic" screen that would be installed in moderately shallow water around the sanctuaries and which would capture all petroleum products while letting water, food, and critters pass through.The County approved the concept and Incident Command compensated us for our work developing it, even though it was never installed.We are proud that Dave and Dan came up with a practical concept that would (or will) protect vital seed stocks in case we were/are oiled.
|
|
Staffing Changes
This difficult summer ended with the most difficult organizational decisions we've made in years.Since 2007, we've had a stable staff structure of Riverkeeper, Executive Director, Senior Policy Advisor, Operations and Outreach Coordinator, and Bookkeeper. In our desire to address as many of the major threats to the Apalachicola as possible, we've always operated close to our financial margins.This summer, in response to the Deepwater Horizon Disaster, we finally burned through them.
In response to the Deepwater Horizon Disaster we increased Dave's contract hours from two days per week to whatever was needed to fully utilize his expertise in oil spill response and recovery.After a distinguished career with the United States Army, Dave started and ran an oil spill response company where for eight years he designed, conducted, monitored, and managed responses to spills from Texas to Siberia.We, our community, and Apalachicola Bay were fortunate to have him on staff for the past 9 years and during the summer of oil.
Katie Herzog served as our capable, energetic Bookkeeper since March of 2009. Katie's work increased during the spill as she took on more administrative tasks to help with the increased loads that we were all under.We miss her uplifting spirit and dedication.
In addition, Robin Rickel Vroegop showed up at our office eager to help with our volunteer efforts in response to the disaster.With spot-on insights, strong organizational skills, and a heart for volunteers Robin created our OSPREY project.Through OSPREY, Robin built a team of volunteer citizen scientists who are helping us construct a video database of the vulnerable natural resources of Apalachicola Bay.From May through June, Robin put in extraordinary hours at the office.Since August she has continued as OSPREY lead on a volunteer basis.
As of September first, we reduced staff to Riverkeeper, Executive Director, and Operations and Outreach Coordinator.Roberson and Associates will oversee our bookkeeping, but we won't be able to fill Dave's shoes. Fortunately, he has been able to raise funds from some of the riparian counties to cover his role as the Coordinator for the Apalachicola sub-basin caucus of the ACF Stakeholders (ACFS), www.acfstakeholders.org.This is crucial as the ACFS, which has the potential to significantly influence the short and long-term resolution of the ACF water wars, has begun to address substantive ACF issues.
Dan, Andy, and Kayd are now the core staff of the Apalachicola Riverkeeper.
|
We held our 3rd Wild and Scenic Film Festival in August and September.We had three programs which 249 people attended and netted $5,500 from sponsors.Thirty people became members of the Apalachicola Riverkeeper during the festival.The two most popular films were Cud and Working the Miles, by the Southern Foodways Alliance, Southern Foodways, although all of the films were thought-provoking, controversial, or inspiring.We'd like to thank those of you who attended and the wonderful folks in Carrabelle for the great refreshments and the folks in Carrabelle and Apalachicola who volunteered each night of the festival!Here's a final shout out to our sponsors: Franklin County Tourist Development Council Theriaque & Spain The Wilderness Way Apalach Outfitters House of Tartts Blue Parrott Restaurant/Water Street Seafood Trail & Ski Apalachicola ACE Taylor's Building Supply 13 Mile Seafood Market We couldn't have been successful without you! |
|
RiverTrek: A five-day, 107-mile, "paddle-a-thon"
On the morning of October 21, 2010, six paddlers will launch their kayaks at the northern end of the Apalachicola River just below the Jim Woodruff Dam in Chattahoochee, Florida. Five days and 107 miles later, they will reach their destination of Apalachicola Bay and the city of Apalachicola, Florida.
Protecting A Great American Treasure
The Apalachicola Riverkeeper invites you to recruit family, friends, and colleagues to sponsor RiverTrek paddling miles and, in turn, help raise resources and awareness for the Apalachicola Riverkeeper's initiatives to protect a great American treasure-the Apalachicola River and Bay.
Check out the web site for more information: RiverTrek 2010 |
|
JACK JOHNSON MATCHING FUNDS CAMPAIGN A HUGH SUCCESS
We really appreciate the support of Jack Johnson, Jack Johnson, for the work of the Gulf coast waterkeepers by matching donations, up to $2,500, collected in September through mid-October.It's great when artists step in to help local groups like the Apalachicola Riverkeeper.However, you are what keep us going and a prime example is your response to this fundraiser - you contributed $5,225! If only Jack would match the full amount (and believe me we've tried). THANKS!
|
|
Help By Serving on the Board...
We're always on the lookout for folks who want to serve on the Board of the Apalachicola Riverkeeper, so if you're interested in putting some energy and leadership into this small, but effective nonprofit, let us know. We have Board elections in March and it's never too early to start getting candidates. The pay is great and there's only occasional heavy lifting. Contact Board President Jeff Ilardi through Riverkeeper@apalachicolariverkeeper.org, subject line: Board Candidate.
|
|
|
