There was an estimated 400 citizens and elected officials in attendance at the Florida Springs Rally 2010 yesterday in the state Capitol. Please see news coverage by Bruce Ritchie here:
http://bruceritchie.blogspot.com/2010/02/springs-rally-at-capitol-attracts-about.html
This EPA Hearing fact sheet was handed out at the hearing:
http://www.epa.gov/waterscience/standards/rules/florida/factsheet.html
Here are pictures telling our story at the Springs Rally in Tallahassee on Feb. 16th, 2010.
Nitrate loving algae flourishing in the winter months on the Santa Fe River, 2010.
Small spring run at Rum Island Park in Columbia County.
Rum Island Spring on the Santa Fe River, Columbia County, Florida. This is one of 700 springs in the state of Florida needing Springs Legislation. We heard in Tallahassee they are drafting a Springs bill "commissioning" yet another study. OSFR feels strongly that rules and regulations are necessary, not more legislation directed to focus/study groups.
Bob Knight and Debbie Segal demonstrate at the Springs Rally 2010. Dr. Knight was one of many speakers that day.
Members of our bus trip met with Senator Oelrich to discuss Springs Legislation. We met with approximately 5 Senators and Representatives before the Rally. Senator Dean and Representative Boyd were also gracious with their time. Each one gave us insight on how they felt about Springs Protection. All want to do their best to protect our natural resources, but each expressed the economic impacts. OSFR wants each of us to understand that is ultimately up to us to be conservative with how we impact our natural resources. It will mean changing your ways at home and work. Contact your legislatures and discuss your concerns with them, AND contact companies/industries to put pressure on them to change their business practices.
 OSFR arranged bus transportation to the Springs Rally. And, although only 23 riders joined us. This ride was a very effective tool for like-minded individuals to have meaningful discussions with people who had a wealth of information to share. For instance, we were told by one of the members on our bus ride that Sunniland, a fertilizer company in Florida, has a commerical product that has no nitrates. Scots and Seminole are also located in Florida. Tell these companies that you want nitrates and phosphorus removed from fertilizers in our state.
Riders on our bus represented the following groups:
Alachua County
Wetland Solutions, Inc.
Four Rivers Audubon of Florida
Save Our Suwannee
Withlacoochee Area Residents
Pelican Lake Birds of Prey
Visitor Provider with the State and Campground at Ichetucknee Head Spring
Shady Greenway Conservation Alliance
Florida Federation Of Garden Clubs
Marion Audubon of Florida
Sierra Club
Our Santa Fe River, Inc.
....and Florida residents.
Speaker Jim Stevenson, organizer of the Springs Rally 2010. Works diligently to educate the public and elected officials about what is happening to our watersheds.
A large group of students from the Wakulla area listen to the Springs Rally speakers.
Representative Leonard Bembry, from Madison, spoke to his corporate interests which the audience responded to in shock and disbelief.
Over 400 individuals attended the Florida Springs Rally, 2010.
Various signs and residents demonstrating their concerns.
Several larger then life costumes paraded through the crowd.
My kids, Verlyn and Merrill, display the new Our Santa Fe River t-shirt. John Moran, photographer, spoke eloquently and passionately to the crowd... For the next generation, it is up to us to protect our precious jewels of the state of Florida. We were told the Gainesville Sun plans to print his entire speech in their newspaper this week, look-out for it.
The EPA Hearing began this very same day a few blocks from the Capitol. The hearings are taking place in Orlando on Feb. 17, 2010 and Feb. 18 in West Palm Beach.
Ultimately, know your neighborhood and it's watershed and protect it for all it's worth. Rum Island, Ft. White, Florida 2010.
Sincerely,
Merrillee Malwitz-Jipson
President,
Our Santa Fe River Inc. a non profit Florida Corporation
OUR SANTA FE RIVER works with the following environmental groups and supporters:
David Guest
Earthjustice
Andrew McElwaine
Conservancy of Southwest Florida
Becky Ayech
Environmental Confederation of Southwest Florida
Manley Fuller
Florida Wildlife Federation
Frank Jackalone
Sierra Club
Neil Armingeon
St. John’s Riverkeeper
Dawn Shirreffs
Clean Water Action
Linda Young
Clean Water Network
Adam Rivera
Environment Florida
Ericka D’Avanzo
Surfrider Foundation
John Marshall
Arthur R. Marshall Foundation
Rick Roberts
The Snook Foundation
Joe Murphy
Gulf Restoration Network
John Hitchcock
United Waterfowlers – Florida
Glenn Compton - Chairman
ManaSota-88
Michael J. Valiquette
PURRE Walter Coalition
“People United to Restore our Rivers and Estuaries”
Captain Wayne Genthner
Wolfmouth Charters
Connie Washburn
Friends of the Everglades
Dennis Mader
3PR-People for Protecting Peace River
Chasidy Fisher Hobbs
Emerald Coastkeeper, Inc.
Michael J. Holsinger
Holsinger Horticultural Services
Laurie Macdonald
Defenders of Wildlife
Rae Ann Wessel
Sanibel Captiva Conservation Foundation
Karen A. Fraley
Around the Bend Nature Tours LLC
Sara Fain
National Parks Conservation Association
George L. Jones
Indian Riverkeeper
Annette Snapp
Caloosahatchee River Citizens Association/Riverwatch
Laura Reynolds
Tropical Audubon Society
Linda Mattos
Marine Engine Surveyor Inc.
Katie Tripp, Ph.D.
Save the Manatee Club
Paul G. Johnson
REEF RELIEF
Helen Jelks King
POW (Protect Our Watersheds, Inc.)
Kathy Malone
Council of Civic Associations, Inc.
Dan Hilliard
Withlacoochee Area Residents (W.A.R.)
George L. Jones
Conservation Alliance of St Lucie County
Bill Newton
Florida Consumer Action Network
Gus Muench
Gus’s Crabby Adventures-Oyster Reef Designs, Inc.
Bruce Turley
Wilcox Nursery and Florist
Ed Chiles
Solutions To Avoid Red Tide – START
Jim Cooper
Lemon Bay Conservancy
Ian Pollack
Palm City Civic Association
Carol Gula
Gulf Coast Conservancy
Ruby Daniels
Alva, Inc.
Sandy Gilbert
Sarasota Bay Watch
Rusty Chinnis
Outdoor Travel Productions Inc.
Rusty Chinnis
Rusty Chinnis Contractor Inc.
Carie Call, LEED AP
Pine Island Consulting, Inc. - Environmental Consulting
Jeremiah Lockwood
YardGreen of Tampa Bay
Matt Taylor
Manatee-Sarasota Fish Association, Inc.
Jim Egan
Marine Resources Council
Merrillee Malwitz-Jipson
Our Santa Fe River
Lindsey Pickel Florida Coastal and Ocean Coalition
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EPA & Springs Rally 
