Florida Defenders of the Environment, Inc. “Working to protect Florida’s environment since 1969” 309 SR 26 P.O. Box 357086 Melrose, Florida 32666 Gainesville, Florida 32635 website facebook phone www.fladefenders.org www.facebook.com/floridadefenders (352) 475-1119

Top Ten Reasons to Restore the Ocklawaha River

1. Rodman Reservoir is not a healthy ecosystem. The reservoir is choked with exotic vegetation and requires constant manipulation to avoid fish kills. (In 1985, 8.5 million dead fish; in 1987, 2 .5 million dead fish, and in October 2000, 2 million dead fish. Many smaller fish kills have gone unreported.) Management techniques to control the growth of hydrilla is currently flooding an additional 3,200+ acres of conservation lands on the Cross Florida Greenway and in the Ocala National Forest. This additional flooding represents a 34.8% increase in the size of the impoundment. Herbicides including Imazapyr, glyphosate and diquat are applied to unwanted aquatic vegetation which sometimes cause blockages in the canal and riverine sections and make boat ramps inaccessible.

2. A restored river provides greater economic opportunities. There are at least 20 natural springs now submerged under the reservoir, one of which is a second magnitude spring that could be a major tourist draw. Restoring the river will restore these springs and the potential for numerous nature-based tourism ventures, including better fishing and river access. The restoration process itself will create numerous jobs and will attract tourists and scientists interested in the process. Manatee viewing is an extremely popular eco-tourist: activity. Allowing manatees access to the river and springs, including Silver Springs, has the potential to pay big dividends.

3. Save taxpayer dollars. Currently, between $300,000 to $500,000 is spent each year to maintain the Buckman Lock, Kirkpatrick Dam, and Rodman Reservoir. The cost to breach the dam and restore the river soon be recovered through reduced maintenance costs.

4. The Ocklawaha River is better for drinking water. The St. Johns River Water Management District has determined that more water is available from a restored river. Evaporation from the shallow Rodman impoundment is approximately 35 million gallons per day (mg/d). Evaporation from a restored floodplain forest is much less and would yield an increased flow to the St. Johns River of approximately 150 mg/d. To use the reservoir as a surface water source will require greater variation in water levels that will stimulate hydrilla growth, lead to low oxygen levels, and cause fish kills.

5. Valuable wetlands will be re-established. Sixteen miles of the Ocklawaha River will be restored by breaching Rodman Dam and will allow more than 9,000 acres of one of the most threatened ecosystems in Florida, forested floodplain wetlands, to re-grow. The US Fish and Wildlife Service has concluded that fish and wildlife now at the reservoir will not be harmed by restoration and valuable habitat will take the place of the shallow, open water impoundment. 6. Endangered species will benefit. Manatees, black bear, indigo snakes, and many fish species will benefit from restoration. Florida Department of Environmental Protection studies show that the dam is degrading the St. Johns River by blocking natural water and nutrient flows and inhibits the movement of animals through the Osceola to Ocala Wildlife Corridor, one of the most vital wildlife corridors in the southeastern United States.

7. Greater fish diversity, including sport fish. Many species of fish are eliminated or drastically reduced in the Ocklawaha River system because of Rodman Dam. Breaching the dam will allow eel and migratory fish like shad, striped bass, channel catfish, and mullet to access the upper parts of the river and Silver Springs. A comparison of sport fish abundance from the 1970's to 1993 showed a decrease from 67% to 16% in Rodman impoundment Largemouth bass, specifically, dropped from 15% to 2% of the fish caught. The study concluded that 1981 was the peak year· for largemouth bass in the impoundment area. More current info is available.

8. Restoration will help restore Silver Springs. Fish populations have decreased in Silver Springs by an astounding 92% since the mid 1950’s, due mainly to the construction of Rodman Darn. Providing access to fish, like catfish and mullet, will reduce accumulated algae at the springs that is killing vegetation and contributing to decreased water quality and overall ecosystem degradation.

9. Avoid legal conflict with the Federal government. Over one square mile of the Ocala National Forest is flooded by Rodman Reservoir and 40 % of Rodman Dam lies is on Forest service lands. The Forest Service wants to see the river restored and has refused to issue a Special Use Permit for these lands to the state of Florida. Without this permit, the state is trespassing on Federal lands.

10. As good stewards of our· natural resources, it is our responsibility to protect the environment. When mistakes are made, like the Cross Florida Barge Canal, it is up to us to make things right. Restoration of the Ocklawaha River is one of the simplest and cost effective environmental disasters to fix and we will all benefit from taking action. Email Marion & Putnam County Commissioners & State Legislatures

[email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Bobby Payne Stan McClain- [email protected] [email protected] 2700 Fairway Dr. 315 Southeast 25th Avenue Palatka, FL 32177 Ocala, FL 34471-2689 Phone: (386)-530-9345 Phone: (352) 732-1313 Rob Bradley- [email protected] Keith Perry- [email protected] 4650 NW 39th Place Suite C 1279 Kingsley Avenue Suite 107 Gainesville, FL 32606 Orange Park, FL 32073 Phone: (352) 264-4040 Phone: 904-278-2085