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Rainbow River NEEDS NOTHING — NEEDS EVERYTHING

RB RALLY

RB RALLY
Rally before MFLs Workshop Photo courtesy Merrillee Malwitz-Jipson of Sierra Club

 

RB BOB In: Rainbow River NEEDS NOTHING -- NEEDS EVERYTHING | Our Santa Fe River, Inc. (OSFR) | Protecting the Santa Fe River
Dr. Robert Knight of Florida Springs Institute, quickly, thoroughly and effectively refutes the inept science of SWFWMD

Workshop to present the MFLs to the public.  Lots of science, lots of graphs, lots of explanations.  A very critical Peer Review which called for  less subjectivity, more discussion, more explanation, more study, more justification, additional guidance, less conflicting results, and a capping on withdrawals until the nutrient issues are effectively addressed.

RB WHITEY In: Rainbow River NEEDS NOTHING -- NEEDS EVERYTHING | Our Santa Fe River, Inc. (OSFR) | Protecting the Santa Fe River RB KATHRYN In: Rainbow River NEEDS NOTHING -- NEEDS EVERYTHING | Our Santa Fe River, Inc. (OSFR) | Protecting the Santa Fe River RB MM In: Rainbow River NEEDS NOTHING -- NEEDS EVERYTHING | Our Santa Fe River, Inc. (OSFR) | Protecting the Santa Fe River
Whitey Markle                                  Kathryn Taubert              and Merrillee Malwitz-Jipson,   all Sierra Club

 

In other words, it calls for a better job.  And consideration of a more stringent threshold standard.   The Peer Review said in a nice way that the Southwest Florida Water Management District  fell far short of its  mission, which was to justify their recommendations of a minimum flow and level.

The “needs nothing” group worked very hard to “rationalize” (the word of Whitey Markle) and paint a rosy picture, pretty much of sweetness and light.   The “needs everything” group did very little rationalization (the opinion of your writer) and spoke with confidence,  science, passion, experience and observation, common sense and facts.

And the latter group far outnumbered the former.  There were some very intelligent and learned people in the crowd.  These were people who were not fooled by pictures and graphs and numbers scattered around. And to a person they wanted the Rainbow River “left alone” (more of Whitey’s words.)

Robert Knight, the first and by far the strongest speaker,  laid it out all at once and immediately punched all the air out of the water management bag.  He refuted with facts, numbers and science just about everything the two water management scientists (Ms. Holzwort and Mr. Russo) said.  And it took him a whole lot less time to do it.

Dr. Robert Knight essentially refuted about twelve years of SWFWMD work in about five minutes.

After that, everyone else pounded on the bag, but it was completely flat, and almost no more air came out.

But before long the bag will be inflated again and presented to the SWFWMD governing board in Brooksville, where it will be voted on and passed.  We can hope it will be substantially amended before that happens, following the numerous suggestions of the Peer Review Panel.  Experience suggests it will not be.

RB JANET In: Rainbow River NEEDS NOTHING -- NEEDS EVERYTHING | Our Santa Fe River, Inc. (OSFR) | Protecting the Santa Fe River  RB HARRIET J In: Rainbow River NEEDS NOTHING -- NEEDS EVERYTHING | Our Santa Fe River, Inc. (OSFR) | Protecting the Santa Fe River  RB ENO In: Rainbow River NEEDS NOTHING -- NEEDS EVERYTHING | Our Santa Fe River, Inc. (OSFR) | Protecting the Santa Fe River
Janet Barrow                                 Harriet Jones                               Burt Eno

Many of the speakers were local users of the river, and many represented environmental groups.  OSFR was represented by four members and your historian spoke.  The Sierra Club was heavily present with several speakers.

RB BILLIE JO In: Rainbow River NEEDS NOTHING -- NEEDS EVERYTHING | Our Santa Fe River, Inc. (OSFR) | Protecting the Santa Fe River RB MAXINE In: Rainbow River NEEDS NOTHING -- NEEDS EVERYTHING | Our Santa Fe River, Inc. (OSFR) | Protecting the Santa Fe River RB KAREN In: Rainbow River NEEDS NOTHING -- NEEDS EVERYTHING | Our Santa Fe River, Inc. (OSFR) | Protecting the Santa Fe RiverRB CINDY In: Rainbow River NEEDS NOTHING -- NEEDS EVERYTHING | Our Santa Fe River, Inc. (OSFR) | Protecting the Santa Fe River
Billie Jo Benedict                Maxine Connor                           Karen Arrington                             Cindy  Noel

 

Comments by OSFR historian Jim Tatum.
-A river is like a life:  once taken, it cannot be brought back-


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4 Comments

  1. I wish to express my thanks to all who attended the events on Feb. 23, 2017….the rally, workshop, and meeting. I admire the fact that “Dr. Robert Knight essentially refuted twelve years of SWFWMD work in about 5 minutes”, as reported by Jum Tatum. Keep in mind, this is an educated, passionate, and determined group of citizens who will continue with their efforts…..until a scientifically sensible decision and plan for the future is agreed upon by all involved stakeholders.

  2. The Minimum Flow Level (MFL) that the Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD) is proposing for the Rainbow Spring is a necessary step in the right direction. Until now, there has been no MFL and no true limit to the amount of water use permits issued by SWFWMD. Also, the fact that the MFL is based on historic flow levels, is setting a high bar for any new permits issued. As the historic flow fluctuates, so will the amount of allowable drawdown. We should gather all the facts we can before criticizing the hard work and research that has gone into reaching this very conservative MFL.
    Nathan Whitt – Former Mayor of Dunnellon and Owner of Rainbow River Canoe and Kayak

  3. Outstanding turnout last night for this important meeting. Thanks to Jim Tatum for cataloging it. Dunnellon Fire Chief Troy Slattery says there were 150 people in the building and waiting outside to get in. Now, we have to make a showing at the SWFWMD on March 28 to the SWFWMD Board of Directors. This isn’t over yet, but we still have a chance. THANKS to all who participated in getting the word out and documenting the effort! Kathryn Taubert, Suwannee-St. Johns Sierra Club

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