Bob Knight, creator of the Summit
To Develop a Plan to Restore Our Springs. That is the goal and we know what is wrong.
Todd Kincaid told us that our water models are flawed.
Bob Palmer told us that the chest-thumpers in Tallahassee haven’t made a workable law yet. Senator Simmons told us we should not expect too much, and he explained why he supports fracking in Florida.
Jim Gross told us how our water managers can make a small start toward credibility, which is non-existent today. The water district executive directors were invited, but did not attend. The water scientists on the staff, it is rumored, were discouraged from attending, although invited. Discouragement means better not.
The water district representatives told us that the districts are doing a good job managing our waters. The DEP told us it is protecting the environment.
Bob Knight told us that we need to reduce groundwater pumping by at least 50 percent.
Many, many people told us that we can reduce nitrate in ground water by reducing fertilizers and septic tanks, and that we can reduce over-pumping by simply regulating. If we decide we want to. If……
Linda Young told us that our DEP is willingly and happily allowing us to drink poisoned water. Tom Frick did not explain why we should have these poisons, as he did at length last summer at the ERC meeting in Tallahassee.
John Moran gave us a beautiful verbal and visual essay even though his message was one of pessimism.
John Thomas told us that we have fine water laws which our state ignores.
Nathan Crabbe explained why the Gainesville Sun did not endorse one of our best environmentally oriented politicians.
Merrillee Malwitz-Jipson told us that art is an expression of our spirit and if we value it we should expect to pay for it. Margaret Tolbert told us we must immerse ourselves in and surround ourselves with art. Whitey Markle lamented for the Ocklawaha in his own beautiful, inimitable way.
Someone said that our BMAPs are not working. Someone else said that maybe our governor could do a bit more to help the environment.
Bob Ulanowicz gave us, free and at no charge, the true and inevitable solution to our water problem: everyone must pay for it.
Burt Eno told us that persistent advocacy defeated the Rainbow River Ranch and prevented developer greed from further destroying the Rainbow River.
Cris Costello told us that the water-takers are devious and that they want to divide us and that we must unite and connect all over the state. Cris Costello explained the need for environmental justice in a way that we can understand. Katie Tripp told us to start close to home and that we must connect and not give up.
Dan Hilliard told us that politics has no business swimming in our waters.
Lu Merritt told us how much time we have. She would probably add here that it is running out.
And Gwen Graham gave us a glimmer of hope which may come in about two years.
Thank you Bob for doing this and making it possible. Please do another soon so we can continue making progress and networking.
Following are a few images of some of the identities involved. Sorry we could not get more.
Sometimes we need a little humor
:
Jim just finished his moderating duties Bob is dreaming of First Magnitude, but not springs
Jim Gross geologist John Quarterman, WWALS Whitey Markle Sierra Club
Todd Kincaid geologist Jacqui Sulek Audubon Society Cris Costello Sierra Club
Jim Pruitt OSFR David Moritz environmentalist Chris Bird Alachua Co.
River lover Environmental Protection Dept.
Linda Young Kristin Cathey environmentalist Jacki Lopez Center for
Fl. Clean Water Network and biologist Biological Diversity
Melissa Redon, FL Springs Institute Bob Palmer, Florida Springs Council
President Pam Smith, OSFR and Heather Obara, Florida Springs Institute
OSFR President Pam Smith and Vice President Terry Phelan
Comments by OSFR historian Jim Tatum.
-A river is like a life: once taken, it cannot be brought back-
Absolutely love anything about
What a great group of dedicated people we have working to protect our water from the forces of profit and greed. I am so proud of you all.