Riverkeeper pledges continued river protection

Riverkeeper pledges continued river protection



Publication Date: 04/22/09

Editor: "We will ensure the sustainable use and protection of water resources for the benefit of the people of the District and the state of Florida."

Based on this mission statement, you would probably assume that this organization is opposed to a plan by a California water bottling company to suck millions of gallons of water from our aquifer at virtually no cost, and is aggressively promoting and requiring water conservation efforts instead of potentially harmful water withdrawals from the St. Johns River.

You would be wrong.

On Monday, April 13, our St. Johns River Water Management District (SJRWMD) demonstrated how far it has drifted from its mission when it approved a permit application from Seminole County to begin withdrawing water from the St. Johns River for irrigation purposes.

Ironically on that same day, District staff and attorneys were also busy vehemently defending their support of a permit for the Niagara bottling plant in an administrative hearing in Groveland. The town of Groveland and Lake County don't want the water bottler to set up shop in their community and take their water, yet the District is hell-bent on issuing the permit.

Clearly water is not being used sustainably, our water resources are not being adequately managed and protected, and the best interests of the people are certainly not being represented.

Fortunately, citizens all over Florida are fed up with the ongoing mismanagement of our water resources and are demanding that their voices be heard. There is just too much at stake for us to allow a continuation of "business as usual" policies.

The health of our precious lakes, springs, aquifers, wetlands, and rivers is on the line, and we will not give up until changes take place that will ensure their protection.

Jimmy Orth

Executive Director

St. Johns Riverkeeper

Jacksonville

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