Note that in the images the court reporter, the three judges, and all the lawyers (except our Doug MacLaughlin whose back obstructs desk) has a plastic throw-away bottle of water at hand.  This is what keeps springs-killer,  land-polluting companies like Seven Springs Water Co. in business.  Of the law students, those with water have reusable bottles, none has a single-use plastic throw-away.  Students wiser than the pros?

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.

 

Foreground, Ryan Smart of FSC, Bob Palmer, appellant lawyers Tommy Reeves, Doug MacLaughlin.

Published by OSFR

Our Santa Fe River, Inc is a Florida not-for-profit 501 (c)(3) organization composed of concerned citizens working to protect the waters and lands supporting the aquifer, springs and rivers within the watershed of the Santa Fe River. We do this by promoting public awareness pertaining to the ecology, quality, and quantity of the waters and lands immediately adjacent to and supporting the Santa Fe River, including its springs and underlying aquifer.

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  3. 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.

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