Wednesday, May 9, 2012

Florida's Perfect Storm Water Crisis

Two articles from Dr Robert L. Knight, founder and director of the H.T. Odum Florida Springs Institute, a Gainesville-based nonprofit organization:
The stated mission of the Florida Springs Institute is: "to provide a focal point for improving the understanding of springs ecology and to foster the development of science-based education and management actions needed to restore and protect springs throughout Florida."

Tuesday, May 8, 2012

Silver Springs Alliance

Dear Friends,
I joined the Springs Alliance and this is what they sent me so I thought I would pass this info on to you.  If you are so inclined, it costs only $15 to join the alliance.  It is a very worthy cause. This is an example of how big money is draining Florida of all it’s natural resources to line the pockets of a few.  It should be a crime to keep issuing water withdrawal permits in a severe drought.  What we have here is the Fox guarding the hen house.  It is about time to call for our water management board members to be elected locally instead of letting the Governor appoint all of his cronies who apparently care more about making money than protecting our water. 
Jackie

ATTACHMENTS:

From: Natalie Lyons [mailto:silverspringsalliance@gmail.com]
Sent: Thursday, April 26, 2012 10:53 AM
To: Barbara Schwartz
Subject: Silver Springs Alliance - Welcome New Members!
 

 
Dear New Member,

 
On behalf of the Board of Directors, we welcome you to the Silver Springs Alliance.  Thank you for your interest, support, and participation. We look forward to working together to preserve Silver Springs and keep the Springshed flourishing.
SSA is very new. Its founders include springs scientists, water specialists, a former county Commissioner, veteran environmental activists, teachers, community leaders and students.  We are united by our  scientifically supported conviction that Silver Springs-Florida’s most famous springs-needs our help. Its waters are degraded and its flow is diminished.

 
That’s why our main purpose is to be an advocate for Silver Springs; to restore  and protect the Springs for future generations. We are also committed to protecting and preserving  the Floridan Aquifer; source of the Springs, rivers and waterways, as well as  the water we drink, bathe in and grow our food in.
The biggest threat to Silver Springs right now is the Adena Springs Ranch project now being constructed in the Fort McCoy area within the Springshed.  This project includes a projected 30,000 head of cattle, a slaughterhouse, 135 large diameter wells, and a pending water permit (CUP-consumptive use permit) for 13.27 MILLION GALLONS OF WATER PER DAY. Water from OUR aquifer!

 
Robert Knight, PHD, of the Florida Springs Institute, and an SSA Board member states “That’s more than the city of Ocala consumes every day. The manure generated daily by the herd of 30,000 cattle expected on the ranch would be the equivalent  to that of 240,00 humans.”
We have a website! www.silverspringsalliance.org.  We are in the process of improving and expanding it every day, so tune in often.

 
Reach us via e-mail as well: silverspringsalliance@gmail.com.  We are also on Facebook and Twitter!
I am forwarding and attaching information about taking action on the Adena project. Please pass on to other interested people and give them our email/web addresses if they would like to join.

 
Upcoming events are as follows:
Saturday, April 28: EarthFest @ Tuscawilla Park in Ocala. We will have an information table there.

 
Thursday, May 3: Dr. Knight will be addressing the Conservation Trust of Florida. I will attach the information.
Tuesday, May 15: Public Forum in Jacksonville.  In conjunction with the Saint Johns  Riverkeeper. Attached.

 
Wednesday, May 16: Rainbow Springs event. Attached
Saturday, May 19: Rainbow River cleanup & Rainbow River Coalition event. More to come.

 

 
Barbara Schwartz
Secretary, BOD
Silver Springs Alliance

Water Levels Continue to Drop

Water Levels Continue to Drop, article from Citrus County Chronicle Online

Thursday, April 19, 2012

Water On The Table - Movie

Be sure to catch the documentary, Water On The Table, that explores Canada's issues with commercializing water. All movie showings at the Hippodrome in Gainesville, Florida.

Showtimes:
  • Fri, April 20 - 6:15p and 8:30p
  • Sat, April 21 - 4:00p
  • Sun, April 22 - 4:30p
  • Mon, April 23 - 6:00p
  • Wed, April 25 - 5:15p
  • Thu, April 26 - 8:30p
7:45p, Friday, April 20
Following the 6:15p show: a Free reception.

4:00p, Saturday, April 21
Following the 4:00p show: a Skype session with movie director Liz Marshall.

6:00p, Monday, April 23
Following the 6:00p show: Community forum with speakers:

  • Neil Chonin, Southern Legal Council
  • Dr. Bob Knight, Florida Springs Institute
  • Karen Ahlers, Ocklawaha River Restoration Activist
  • And others
Film will play through April 26th in conjunction with Play Again.

For more information: see
Water On The Table

Monday, April 16, 2012

STOP Water Mining!

The heinous practice of grabbing up water rights for future exploitation is a very real threat to Florida's springs, rivers, and aquifers. Adena Ranch is just one example of how this scam can be foisted on unsuspecting residents by mascarading as something else.

Adena Springs permit would put immediate and massive stress on water supply - Ocala.com