OSFR takes a busload to Tallahassee for the Springs Rally and EPA Hearing

February 17, 2010 Miscellaneous by Media Committee Leave a Comment

There was an estimated 400 citizens and elected officials in attendance at the Florida Springs Rally 2010 yesterday in the state Capitol.

Bruce Ritchie covered the event in his article here:

http://bruceritchie.blogspot.com/2010/02/springs-rally-at-capitol-attracts-about.html

At the EPA Hearing, a fact sheet was handed out. You can view it at the following link:

http://www.epa.gov/waterscience/standards/rules/florida/factsheet.html

Here are pictures telling our story at the Springs Rally in Tallahassee on Feb. 16th, 2010.

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Nitrate loving algae flourishing in the winter months on the Santa Fe River, 2010.

Small spring run at Rum Island Park in Columbia County

Rum Island Spring on the Santa Fe River, Columbia County, Florida. This is one of 700 springs in the state of Florida needing Springs Legislation. We heard in Tallahassee they are drafting a Springs bill "commissioning" yet another study. OSFR feels strongly that rules and regulations are necessary, not more legislation directed to focus/study groups. — Rum Island Spring on the Santa Fe River, Columbia County, Florida. This is one of 700 springs in the state of Florida needing Springs Legislation. We heard in Tallahassee they are drafting a Springs bill “commissioning” yet another study. OSFR feels strongly that rules and regulations are necessary, not more legislation directed to focus/study groups.

Bob Knight and Debbie Segal demonstrate at the Springs Rally 2010. Dr. Knight was one of many speakers that day.

Members of our bus trip met with Senator Oelrich to discuss Springs Legislation. We met with approximately 5 Senators and Representatives before the Rally. Senator Dean and Representative Boyd were also gracious with their time. Each one gave us insight on how they felt about Springs Protection. All want to do their best to protect our natural resources, but each expressed the economic impacts. OSFR wants each of us to understand that is ultimately up to us to be conservative with how we impact our natural resources. It will mean changing your ways at home and work. Contact your legislatures and discuss your concerns with them, AND contact companies/industries to put pressure on them to change their business practices.

OSFR arranged bus transportation to the Springs Rally. And, although only 23 riders joined us. This ride was a very effective tool for like-minded individuals to have meaningful discussions with people who had a wealth of information to share. For instance, we were told by one of the members on our bus ride that Sunniland, a fertilizer company in Florida, has a commerical product that has no nitrates. Scots and Seminole are also located in Florida. Tell these companies that you want nitrates and phosphorus removed from fertilizers in our state.

Riders on our bus represented the following groups:

Alachua County

Wetland Solutions, Inc.

Four Rivers Audubon of Florida

Save Our Suwannee

Withlacoochee Area Residents

Pelican Lake Birds of Prey

Visitor Provider with the State and Campground at Ichetucknee Head Spring

Shady Greenway Conservation Alliance

Florida Federation Of Garden Clubs

Marion Audubon of Florida

Sierra Club

Our Santa Fe River, Inc.

….and Florida residents.

Speaker Jim Stevenson, organizer of the Springs Rally 2010. Works diligently to educate the public and elected officials about what is happening to our watersheds.

A large group of students from the Wakulla area listen to the Springs Rally speakers.

Representative Leonard Bembry, from Madison, spoke to his corporate interests which the audience responded to in shock and disbelief.

Over 400 individuals attended the Florida Springs Rally, 2010.

Various signs and residents demonstrating their concerns.

Concerned citizens — Young and old voicing their concerns

Several larger then life costumes paraded through the crowd.

2010 Springs Fest — Artists were there to show their love of Florida’s picturesque springs

My kids, Verlyn and Merrill, display the new Our Santa Fe River t-shirt. John Moran, photographer, spoke eloquently and passionately to the crowd… For the next generation, it is up to us to protect our precious jewels of the state of Florida. We were told the Gainesville Sun plans to print his entire speech in their newspaper this week, look-out for it.

EPA Hearing 02/16/2010 — The EPA Hearing began this very same day a few blocks from the Capitol. The hearings are taking place in Orlando on Feb. 17, 2010 and Feb. 18 in West Palm Beach.

Ultimately, know your neighborhood and it’s watershed and protect it for all it’s worth. Rum Island, Ft. White, Florida 2010.

Sincerely,

Merrillee Malwitz-Jipson

President,

Our Santa Fe River Inc. a non profit Florida Corporation

OUR SANTA FE RIVER works with the following environmental groups and supporters:

David Guest

Earthjustice

Andrew McElwaine

Conservancy of Southwest Florida

Becky Ayech

Environmental Confederation of Southwest Florida

Manley Fuller

Florida Wildlife Federation

Frank Jackalone

Sierra Club

Neil Armingeon

St. John’s Riverkeeper

Dawn Shirreffs

Clean Water Action

Linda Young

Clean Water Network

Adam Rivera

Environment Florida

Ericka D’Avanzo
Surfrider Foundation

John Marshall

Arthur R. Marshall Foundation

Rick Roberts
The Snook Foundation

Joe Murphy

Gulf Restoration Network

John Hitchcock
United Waterfowlers – Florida

Glenn Compton – Chairman

ManaSota-88

Michael J. Valiquette

PURRE Walter Coalition

“People United to Restore our Rivers and Estuaries”

Captain Wayne Genthner

Wolfmouth Charters

Connie Washburn

Friends of the Everglades

Dennis Mader

3PR-People for Protecting Peace River

Chasidy Fisher Hobbs

Emerald Coastkeeper, Inc.

Michael J. Holsinger

Holsinger Horticultural Services

Laurie Macdonald

Defenders of Wildlife

Rae Ann Wessel
Sanibel Captiva Conservation Foundation

Karen A. Fraley

Around the Bend Nature Tours LLC

Sara Fain

National Parks Conservation Association

George L. Jones

Indian Riverkeeper

Annette Snapp

Caloosahatchee River Citizens Association/Riverwatch

Laura Reynolds

Tropical Audubon Society

Linda Mattos

Marine Engine Surveyor Inc.

Katie Tripp, Ph.D.

Save the Manatee Club

Paul G. Johnson

REEF RELIEF

Helen Jelks King

POW (Protect Our Watersheds, Inc.)

Kathy Malone

Council of Civic Associations, Inc.

Dan Hilliard

Withlacoochee Area Residents (W.A.R.)

George L. Jones

Conservation Alliance of St Lucie County

Bill Newton

Florida Consumer Action Network

Gus Muench

Gus’s Crabby Adventures-Oyster Reef Designs, Inc.

Bruce Turley

Wilcox Nursery and Florist

Ed Chiles

Solutions To Avoid Red Tide – START

Jim Cooper

Lemon Bay Conservancy

Ian Pollack

Palm City Civic Association

Carol Gula

Gulf Coast Conservancy

Ruby Daniels

Alva, Inc.

Sandy Gilbert

Sarasota Bay Watch

Rusty Chinnis

Outdoor Travel Productions Inc.

Rusty Chinnis

Rusty Chinnis Contractor Inc.

Carie Call, LEED AP
Pine Island Consulting, Inc. – Environmental Consulting

Jeremiah Lockwood

YardGreen of Tampa Bay

Matt Taylor

Manatee-Sarasota Fish Association, Inc.

Jim Egan

Marine Resources Council

Merrillee Malwitz-Jipson

Our Santa Fe River

Lindsey Pickel

Florida Coastal and Ocean Coalition

Tags: Florida Legislature, Florida DEP

Media Committee

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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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