About a year and a half ago OSFR, along with others including the Florida Springs Council, had a challenge to the infamous Seven Springs Water Company’s pumping permit dismissed by Administrative Law Judge Francine Ffolkes. The permit allows up to nearly one million gallons per day.
The recent hearing was an appeal to that dismissal, asking that the initial legal challenge be allowed to proceed. Three judges will make a ruling on the appeal in perhaps three months or so.
Here is a link to an interview by Ryan Smart with lawyer Doug MacLaughlin.
OSFR board member Merrillee Malwitz-Jipson attended the hearing and provided the following comments and images.
Comments by OSFR historian Jim Tatum.
jim.tatum@oursantaferiver.org
– A river is like a life: once taken,
it cannot be brought back © Jim Tatum
Florida water law is complicated and this case is so unique it gathered an audience of UF Law School students who were able to speak directly to the judges after the hearing.
In plain language, Florida Springs Council, along with Suwannee River Water Management, asked for a rehearing of a Department of Administrative Hearing to refute the original premise of denial.
At the heart of the water grab is a government-permitted allocation to one private interest for mere profit which has the potential to cause harm to a protected waterway in Florida. This case is about challenging water laws on how Consumptive Water Use Permits are issued.
The recent hearing was an appeal to that dismissal, asking that the initial legal challenge be allowed to proceed.
Thank you Merrilee Malwitz-Jipson & Ryan Smart (and all the others) for staying with this fight for Florida’s water!
Thank you, Merrillee Malwitz-Jipson, for attending the recent hearing which was an appeal to challenge the Seven Springs Water Co. water permit. Merrillee’s comments following the hearing included, “At the heart of the water grab is a government-permitted allocation to one private interest for mere profit which has the potential to cause harm to a protected waterway in Florida.” I agree with Merrillee’s comments following the hearing.