Despite about 30 people requesting the opposite, the governing board of the Southwest Florida Water Management District approved the recommendation of their staff, and approved an 11 per cent reduction in flow for the river and springs.
The district scientists insisted the aquifer has not fallen in that area, although Resource Management Director Mark Hammond admitted that the river and springs are negatively impacted, but not because of groundwater withdrawals. They insist their science is the “best available,” although Dr. Robert Knight and other geologists disagree completely.
Opponents say the district is ignoring data collected earlier by the U.S. Geological Survey which prove that the flow in the 1960s was 58 per cent higher than currently. Several people accused the district staff of using later, diminished flow numbers as a baseline, to give the district a means to rationalize their withdrawals.
No less than five opponents of the proposed MFL referenced the name Dr. Robert Knight in their comments to the governing board. Dr. Knight has published an extensive study of the Crystal River and Kings Bay, but it was not listed in the bibliography of the district’s report. From this came the accusations of some that the district staff did not do competent research.
The staff of the SWFWMD used the words “science” and “best available science” many times during this meeting. The governing board members did also. Many of those in the audience were not convinced.
The vote was unanimous among those board members attending save for one “nay,” unidentified for now but thought by some to be newcomer Joel Schleicher.
Comments by OSFR historian Jim Tatum.
-A river is like a life: once taken, it cannot be brought back-
We have to stand up and get them out. They are driving us to the point of rebellion so they can enforce military law. This is coming from the WH on down through the Republican controlled states. They only care about themselves and money. They want all of us to have to buy water to survive… and to get at the oil and gas to ship out to make them even richer.
I hope Republican Voters are happy with their votes. They have destroyed our country. Their children and grandchildren will not thank them someday.
It is now time to replace the board. And find someone within the organization that understands why the Water Management Districts were created. Far from good science, just look at this “The district scientists insisted the aquifer has not fallen in that area, although Resource Management Director Mark Hammond admitted that the river and springs are negatively impacted, but not because of groundwater withdrawals. They insist their science is the “best available,” although Dr. Robert Knight and other geologists disagree completely.” Just talk to anyone that has been in Kings Bay for over 50 years or look directly at the flow rate of Kings Bay Springs and you can see the flow has dropped annually for many of the 50 years. Please contact the Governor Directly and ask him to have true science presented to the board. This must be overturned. But the intention seems to allow more drawing of water from the aquifer, for business, homeowners and cities. The communities have failed the process also. Take a stand for reassessing the min flow it is important as we should be looking at re-establishing oysters in the estuary, and living shorelines, historically some of the best oysters. If we don’t have a healthy estuary, then prepare for major problems with blue green algae similar to Indian River Lagoon. The problem is deeper, and needs to be resolved.
Just a carbon copy of the Rainbow River meetings. SWFWMD is like FERC – they already made their decisions and just have meetings to let the public speak because they have to. No interest in what the public has to say. It is a ridiculous process (for a purported democracy) and has to be changed.
Corrupt, carpetbaggers. We gotta throw them out. The legacy of gov Scott is environmental degradation
It is painful to watch TRUE FACTS being blatantly ignored. I second the recommendation to “….throw them out”.
bastards
Shame on them. karma