OSFR Is Protecting Our Water

As 2008 comes to a close…

Our Santa Fe River became a group of organized citizens sometime in the beginning of 2007.  When 5 water bottling facilities, within a 3-mile stretch of the Santa Fe River, wanted to withdraw upwards of 1.3 billion gallons annually from our public Floridan Aquifer, river and springs.  We’ve been at it almost  2 years and still going strong.

So far only one, Coca-Cola/Dannon plant, operates (has been since 1998).

The other 4 remain only as requests, tied up in legal proceedings through the court systems and local government agencies.

OSFR has made huge strides in educating the public about our most precious natural resources.  Perhaps diligence and perseverance has made information accessible and therefore motivated individuals to rise to the challenge (thank goodness for internet with this respect).   Or perhaps we are part of a national movement and consciousness to make protecting the environment for now and for future generations a priority.  Whatever the reason…we are here and we are proud of our accomplishments as we are proud of you for taking an active role in your backyard…your environment, the world is a very small place afterall.  Thank you and many blessings.

As for this sign below…

coming soon to a neighborhood near you?!

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ARTESIAN WATER FOR SALE

A day or two ago, I could hardly believe my eyes as I sped by this sign on US 441 driving to Gainesville from Alachua.  I first saw it over a year ago.  Although the next time I saw it…a blue tarp covered the phone number so I dismissed it as a mistake.  But the sign remained and stayed covered…till the wind blew the cover off recently.  So I called.  Ms. Maude Tanner answered the phone.  She stated she had a permit for 37 years to sell artesian water from her well.  I called our friendly Suwannee River Water Management District (who has jurisdiction over water uses in this county where the sign is posted).  John Kruse, a staff member who answers questions relating to consumptive water use permits, said that  Ms. Tanner would like a permit, but has yet to fill out the proper paperwork (and pay the fee).

So….. no, there is   NO  Artesian Water For Sale  HERE.

Although the sign is misleading and false advertising, it is a curiosity.  Is this the future of “Water for Sale in Florida?”  Actually it is not entirely different than what has gone on with the 5 water bottle plants we have been dealing with these past years, in the sense that these “individuals” (who simply owned the property surrounding a public spring), at least went into the SRWMD and filled out the paperwork and paid the approx. $300 fee.  The “individuals” negotiated with a buyer (usually a multinational corporation, such as Coca-Cola, Nestle or Pepsi) prior to having all the paperwork and government consent in order.  Ms. Tanner simply had the audacity to advertise in a high traffic area in advance of any paperwork or legitimate authority.  And what may complicate matters more…I understand she is hooked up to municipality water from the city of Alachua, her property is located in rural Alachua County (the sign ordinance or code enforcement may need a phone call…or two).

And so the water bottlers are alive and well in north central Florida doing what they do.  And OSFR, also brisk and lively, will inform the public as best we can of their doings.

And for 2009…As we contemplate our recent past…technology serves us well but is devastating too.  Our ancestors learned to harness the sun…they woke to sunlight, ate food made by sunlight and rested in the dark.  Watch The 11th Hour film, produced by Leonardo DiCaprio.