OSFR president Merrillee Malwitz-Jipson, along with two board members, attended the Governing Board meeting and public hearing in Cedar Key today. The issue of main concern for OSFR and the public was a controversial mega water use permit (WUP) number 2-14-00012.001 which was approved with provisions.
This permit will allow a minimum of over three million gallons of water per day, and a maximum of many millions more. Several people spoke of the dangers inherent in this huge withdrawal, among them President Malwitz-Jipson, several farmers whose lands nearby would be impacted, and representatives of the City of Lee, FL. This permit will very likely be challenged by nearby residents since it is not in the pubic interest.
Should this permit be challenged, it will be but one more in a recent trend as the water management districts are finding that the public has lost confidence in their leadership and is demanding that our state’s water resources be preserved for all, not a select few.
