Ginnie Spring is dying with its flow decreasing and pollution increasing; it got a D grade from Florida Springs Institute whose science is not suspect.
The Santa Fe River is in recovery, meaning it is over-pumped and polluted beyond significant harm.
It is an outstanding waterway, meaning by Florida law it must be protected and restored.
Nearly twenty thousand people asked the Suwannee River Water Management District (SRWMD) to deny Seven Springs Water Company’s permit application. They know that further extraction will cause more harm and delay any possible restoration.
The water district says the additional pumping by Seven Springs will not harm the spring, the river nor the ecosystem they comprise, but to arrive at this conclusion they chose to use artificial models to estimate numbers instead of actual existing hard data. Florida law says they must use the best available science, but this is not that.
At times the meeting was run by SRWMD attorney Tommy Reeves and Seven Springs attorney Doug Manson, who told the board what they could and could not do.
The attorneys did not make it clear to the board members that they had the right to vote yea or nay, nor was it emphasized that they have the obligation to protect our springs and rivers, although speakers from the Public Comments told them that. The attorneys should not have to tell board members what their duties are.
These board members certainly failed the public.
Every member opted instead to listen to Reeves and Manson. They ignored the above information and unanimously voted to grant the permit at the special meeting Tues. Feb. 22, 2021 in Live Oak.
This action was expected but is still heart-breaking.
With lawyers conducting water management meetings, perhaps we really don’t need boards of directors after all.
Comments by OSFR historian Jim Tatum.
jim.tatum@oursantaferiver.org
– A river is like a life: once taken,
it cannot be brought back © Jim Tatum
Suwannee RiverKeeper John Quarterman Film maker Oscar Corral
Merrillee Malwitz-Jipson Kristin Rubin
Brenda Wells of Florida Springs Council Nicole Colson mermaid
Doug Manson Fred Reeves Tommy Reeves
THIS MEETING WAS ABOUT LAWYERS NOT ABOUT PEOPLE NOR SPRINGS
SIX THOUSAND BOTTLES PER MINUTE, MOST GOING INTO LANDFILL OR WATERWAYS
DON’T MESS WITH MOTHER EARTH MODERN WATER WARRIOR IN FULL BATTLE DRESS
NESTLE WATER FOUNTAIN CREATED BY MERRILLEE MALWITZ-JIPSON
NESTLE CAN MAKE THAT PILE OF BOTTLES IN JUST A FEW SECONDS
This action by the Board is malfeasance, at best. Yes, not surprising, as their action was “expected,” so what is the recourse for the public, now? I cannot accept that the authorities cannot or are not held accountable. Is it just a stark case of “follow the money?” In addition to SRWMB, Nestle, or whoever and whatever entity or shell corp will hence control the production, must have pressure applied to it to reconsider, reverse and cease this outrageous pillage. Among other consumer actions, plastic bottle consumption must be reduced, period. This “permit” is apparently just a license to steal.