The St Johns River Water Management is holding a meeting/workshop to explain to the public why they think it is fine to allow more withdrawals from the Silver River. If you can, please go to this meeting and tell the water scientists there why what they are doing is wrong. Ask why they think they must continue to placate industry by giving free water away, instead of restoring the river and springs to its historical flow.
The Florida Springs Institute and the Florida Springs Council have sent the following advisory:
Comments by OSFR historian Jim Tatum.
-A river is like a life: once taken, it cannot be brought back-
From 4:30-6:30 p.m. on March 16th, the St. Johns River Water Management District will host a public workshop to present the proposed Minimum Flow and proposed Prevention Strategy for Silver Springs. The MFL proposes to allow up to 10 million gallons/day in additional withdrawals from Silver Springs, a system that has already experienced a loss of 36% (185 million gallons/day) of its average flow since the 1970s.
The final draft of the proposed MFL can be found here.
The draft Prevention Strategy for Silver Springs can be found here.
Join the Florida Springs Council and its member organizations at 3:30 p.m. in front of the Marion County Commission Building for a demonstration urging the Water Management District to stop future withdrawals that will cause significant harm to Silver Springs by adopting an MFL Prevention and Recovery Strategy that will protect and restore our springs and aquifer. Following the demonstration, participants are encouraged to attend the public workshop and make comments on the proposed MFL.
BRING SIGNS AND COMMENTS!
Those unable to attend can submit comments directly to the District here.
Need help drafting your comments? Click on the link below to access a resource that may be helpful!
Florida Springs Institute Comments on the Proposed MFL for Silver Springs
