May 3, 2011

The St. Johns River Water Management District has to its credit finally recognized that area lakes are in need of protection and that Lake Geneva does not currently meet all of its Minimum Flow Level’s (MFL’s) based on historic water level data. This finding requires that the lake be placed in recovery and protective status expeditiously. The District has also recognized that area lakes are suffering from over pumping in addition to the lack of rainfall.

The Lake Area Water Alliance has been formed for the sole purpose of uniting the grass roots organizations in the Keystone Heights and Melrose area so that the community has a larger voice in standing up for water conservation and, the rehabilitation and recovery of the lakes in our region when they meet government agencies and elected officials. Representatives from 13 local organizations have been meeting for educational and strategy sessions. Some of the members attended a very productive meeting with SJRWMD staff last week to discuss the huge consumptive use permit (CUP) being requested by the Jacksonville Electric Authority (JEA) from Duval County.

A Board meeting of the Management District will be held on May 10 at their Palatka headquarters to decide whether to approve the JEA’s permit to pump 165 million gallons of water a day from the Floridan Aquifer or approve their staff’s technical staff’s recommendation which reduces the pumpage allowed and includes conditions to recycle, reuse and participate in strategy for recovery of the lakes in our area.

The Alliance is asking that as many people as possible show up at this meeting to show they support strategies that will help our lakes recover from the damage that has already been done to our lakes by huge water withdrawals and greatly support our lakes being put in a recovery and protective status as soon as possible. Every person in this community needs to stand up for our water rights before the lakes are beyond repair. Complete details about the TSR and JEA CUP, can be obtained from the Management District at SJRWMD.com.

The Alliance also has a petition to Governor Scott and the SJRWMD that is circulating on behalf of the community that objects to any large withdrawals or lowering of MFL’s and requests protection and recovery of the region’s threatened lakes. It is at the KH City Hall and will be at the Farmer’s Market on Saturday. Your signature on that petition is needed.

Jackie Host, President,
of the Lake Area Water Alliance