Consider Recreation and Aesthetics As Well

The following is a draft letter dated October 14, 2011, from Webb Farber that he intended to send to SJRWMD:

Dear Jennifer, Tom, Sonny, and Cliff:

Thanks again for visiting our group in Keystone last Wednesday to explain the process of establishing MFL's for the lakes in our area.  We all learned from your presentation of the biological and botanical analysis of lake levels.  As we discussed during and after the meeting, there is quite a strong concern among our group that the criteria of recreation and aesthetics be considered as well, particularly for lakes Brooklyn and Geneva.

These lakes have a long and well known history of being a recreational draw to our area.  The very fact that our lakes are featured in many newspaper articles focusing on the lost recreational resources clearly shows that this is how the lakes are regarded, in Keystone, Gainesville, Jacksonville, and other locations.  As I noted during the meeting, the recreational aspect was first on the list of criteria to be considered when setting MFL's. 

Perhaps the most striking statement I heard during Wednesday's meeting was that lakes Brooklyn and Geneva were viewed as "recreationally unfriendly" in the MFL analysis.

I have a few notes to begin building a case for for a strong consideration of these recreational/aesthetic qualities of the lakes:

1. The fact that the waterfront of the lakes is lined with homes, summer camps, and public areas bought at a premium price, shows that these qualities are indeed present.
2. The local economy is largely affected by residents attracted to the area due to the lakes, i.e. businesses of all kinds, particularly those catering to visitors to the lakes.
3. The "theme" of the area is tied to these lakes.  Popular events have included the "Festival of the Lakes".

The damage done to the area resulting from low lake levels follows as:

1. Fewer residents/visitors -- a quick look will reveal many vacant houses, some falling into disrepair, that might be termed as "blight".  These homes were often formerly well kept and regularly visited byseasonal or weekend visitors from Jacksonville, Gainesville, and elsewhere. 
2. The local economy suffers with fewer customers.  There have been a number of business closings recently, restaurants for instance.  Others that support swimming, fishing, boating skiing, etc. are affected.  New business is discouraged from moving into the area.
3. Property values declining, especially waterfront.  (This results in less tax revenue collected, including for SJRWMD.)
4. A general negative perspective is drawn from the dry lakes.  Anyone driving across Brooklyn Bridge and glances at the lake bed will think of the decline of water resources, rather than the natural attractiveness of the area.  This is discouraging to visitors and residents.

Also discussed during the meeting was quantification of the lake levels with regard to the above items.  This could be approached several ways with details and defensibility to be developed:

1. Historical usage could be studied with consideration of MFL's to provide a reasonable useful area of lake surface area commensurate with this usage. 
2. Adequate depth for boat navigation could be a criterion, perhaps a minimum depth of three feet over major sand bar areas to prevent grounding hazard.
3. A high enough lake level for access, i.e. from established boat ramps, water edge distance from residences, camps, and public areas.

The above is a beginning for establishing a vital regard for the recreational/aesthetic qualities of our lakes.  It doesn't seem to us that these qualities should be compromised by groundwater withdrawals, local or distant, and certainly not if these withdrawals are made without full attention to conservation, recycling, efficiency, alternative sources, and all other opportunities to minimize adverse effects on our water resources.

Your suggestions and comments are welcome.

Webb Farber