Suwannee-St. Johns Group

Sierra ClubNewsletter

Published monthly except June and August from Gainesville, VOLUME 39 • NUMBER 2 • February 2009

high river bank that holds timeless history. Experience the sunrise mysteries of each new morning (the fantastic food that was prepared will not be available; sorry, you re- ally have to take the trip to enjoy that!). Imagine the professional entertainment each night around the fire, exploring the Wilderness Camping sites, making new “water huggers,” and enjoying the camaraderie in sharing each new day’s adventures. Come see if the Spring Paddle Florida, March 19-26 Trip could be your new envi- ronmental adventure! All skill levels of pad- dlers can participate, with each individual able to find their own personal enjoyment with nature, in a trip they never would have taken alone! GENERAL MEETING Thursday, Feb. 5, 7:30 p.m. Paddling the Entomology/Nematology Building on the UF campus, ** Room 3118 ** (Just east of the Performing Arts Center. Turn south off Suwannee River Hull Road on to Natural Areas Road.) virtual 8-day rom the comfort (and safety) of they take on the challenges that Florida’s most famous river can dish out: freezing paddling trip on Fyour own chair, experience 900 the suWANNEE pictures that chron- nights in tents, the ever- changing, colorful autumn PADDLE FLORIDA icle this week long riverbank scenery and nev- camping/paddling er-ending white sand river trip offered by www. shoals. Vicariously experi- paddleflorida.org, ence running the Class 3 attracting paddlers whitewater Big Shoal - lit- from as far away as erally by the seat of your pants! Canada. Natural Area Drive Paddle around the bend Join 75 “Paddle Florida” adventurers as of the next centuries-old, limestone-carved

WITHLaCOOCHEE GULF PRESERVE TO OPEN ...... 3 ALACHUA COUNTY PROPOSES PORK ...... 5 A marina on the rodman?...... 7 2 Suwannee-St. Johns Sierra Club February 2009

our mission to explore, enjoy and protect the planet. The SSJ group covers 14 counties from the Withlacoochee River to the Georgia Fresh Beginnings border and from the Gulf of Mexico to the By rob brinkman consumption of our natural resources. The mighty St. John’s River. To the East we am writing this column on Inau- challenge is to create jobs building the clean have proposed nuclear plants and aggregate I guration Day, bringing thoughts energy future, the sustainable agriculture mines, to the West the only new coal plant of both the challenges and oppor- and the transportation systems we need to to be permitted in Florida, and proposals to avoid a legacy of disaster. siphon our rivers to feed the unsustainable tunities confronting us all. The need is urgent; the time is now to growth to our South. Throughout our area, One thing President Obama spoke of are seize this opportunity to replace the old springs, creeks and lakes continue to decline the duties we all have to our community, unsustainable economy with one that con- in both quantity and quality, while much- nation and world, duties that should be serves not only financial capital, but needed farmland continues to be taken up with enthusiasm to create a better social and natural capital as well, for CHAIR’S converted to other uses. world. In this time of global economic de- future generations. Although creating The Sierra Club needs and cline, bordering on collapse, many are go- the sustainable future we need will re- deeply appreciates everyone’s fi- ing to need help from their fellow citizens. quire lots of money, more importantly nancial support, but we need This presents an opportunity to strengthen it will require diligence and innovation volunteers now more than ever. our communities by getting to know each and, yes, shared sacrifice, for what is Most new members learn of the other better. good does not come easily. Most of CORNER Sierra Club and decide to join as A significant decrease in world econom- all, it requires all of us working in a co- a direct result of our outings pro- ic output would likely result in an overall operative manner; the future hinges on it. gram. With more volunteers we can recruit global decline in greenhouse gas emissions The Sierra Club faces many challenges as and train more outings leaders, enabling the (GHG), similar to the decline in emissions well as new opportunities. Funding levels offering of more and varied outings. This from the Soviet Union when it suffered an are expected to decline significantly; even will help increase membership which will abrupt decline in economic output. How- if we had more money there would never expand our abilities to adequately address ever, masses of people without jobs is no be enough to confront the many issues we more issues. Thanks to recent volunteers more sustainable than pollution or over- face. Social or human capital is essential to see CORNER, page 4

FOLDING PARTY Visit the National and Local Sierra Club Websites! Interested in hosting a newsletter folding National: http://www.sierraclub.org • Local: http://www.gatorsierra.org party? Contact Scott Camil at 375-2563

Suwannee-St. Johns Group Chairs & Executive Committee Suwannee-St. Johns Group Sierra Club Chair Rob Brinkman 225-3230 [email protected] Newsletter (UPS 317-370) is published 10 Conservation Chair and Program Co-Chair Paula Stahmer 373-3958 [email protected] months a year, except June and August, Education Chair Maryvonne Devensky 352-871-1606 [email protected] by the Suwannee-St. Johns Group Sierra Administrative and Program Co-Chair dwight Adams 378-5129 [email protected] Club, 1024 NW 13th Ave, Gainesville, Legislative Liaison Steve Williams 386-397-2945 [email protected] 32601. Non-member subscription rate Social Chair Brack Barker 352-528-3751 [email protected] is $5.00. Periodicals Postage Paid is paid Treasurer and Publicity Roberta Gastmeyer 336-2404 [email protected] at the Gainesville, FL 32608 post office. Membership Chair Whitey Markle 352-595-5131 [email protected] Postmaster: Send change of addresses to Outings Chair Robert Fisher 514-7674 [email protected] Suwannee- St. Johns Group Sierra Club Events Coordinator Sherry Steiner 375-2563 [email protected] Newsletter, c/o The Sierra Club, Mem- Newsletter Folding Scott Camil 375-2563 [email protected] ber Services, P.O. Box 52968, Boulder, Webmaster Louis Clark 373-5377 [email protected] CO 80328-2968. Send both your old Fundraising Chair Knox Bagwell 468-1790 [email protected] and new addresses and a Sierra address Newsletter Executive Editor Kathy Cantwell 395-7441 [email protected] label, which contains your member- Newsletter Design Colin Whitworth 372-2464 [email protected] ship number. PLEASE ADDRESS ALL Secretary Art Stockwell 339-6528 [email protected] GENERAL CORRESPONDENCE FOR Excomm member Karen Garren 371-0008 [email protected] THE SUWANNEE-ST. JOHNS GROUP Excomm member Coral McDonald 363-0617 [email protected] OF THE SIERRA CLUB TO: P.O. BOX 13951, GAINESVILLE, FL 32604. February 2009 Suwannee-St. Johns Sierra Club 3

monkeys are old and tough), swimsuits, change of clothes (if you’re a tipsy paddler). Withlacoochee Gulf Remember to dress for the day’s tempera- ture. Upon returning to Ray’s we will partake Preserve to Open in a service activity by cleaning up the “left- behinds” of fisher people around the bridge By Robert Fisher Friends of the Withlacoochee Gulf Preserve area from the water and land areas at the ankeetown is celebrating the at [email protected]. confluence of the Ocklawaha and Silver grand opening of the With- rivers. All trash collection gear will be pro- lacoochee Gulf Preserve Valentine’s Silver vided, as well as Dark Chocolate Kisses, to

Chocolate Kisses Paddle Outing all trash collectors. Y(WGP) on Saturday, February 7, Rentals are available, but reservations are 2009. This is the re-scheduled Pad- required. Contact Knox Bagwell at 352-

WGP is a 413-acre passive nature park lo- dle Outing from January. 468-1790; [email protected] for more cated at 1001 Old Rock Road, Yankeetown, We will meet at Ray’s Wayside Park at 9560 information. Florida, 34498 (6.5 miles west on Highway NE 28 Lane, Silver Springs, around 9:30 am This event is open to the public. 40 from the traffic light located at the in- on Saturday, February 14. Ray’s is about five tersection of Highway 40 and Highways 19 miles east of the Water Park,“ which is about Pros on Pros of Restoration and 98). Purchased with a grant from Flor- 5 miles east of Ocala on S.R. 40. There is of the Ocklawaha River ida Community Trust, WGP is a unique a $5 car entry fee, with picnic tables, rest- rooms and Saturday, February 21, 2009 - 12 pm to 3 easy bank pm at the Rodman Dam. WGP is a unique coastal wetlands area access to the The Rodman Dam, completed in 1968, water. We caused the flooding of approximately containing streams, lakes, and salt marshes plan to be 10,000 acres and blocked the normal flow on the wa- of the Ocklawaha River. along with pine and hardwood forests. ter before 10 Bring a picnic lunch and sit on the Dam a.m. to avoid to partake in discussions with professionals most of the on why removing the Rodman Dam and coastal wetlands area containing streams, power boats that can scare wildlife and are a restoring the natural riverine ecosystem “lakes, and salt marshes along with pine and nuisance with their noise and smell. will benefit birds, migrating fish, the mana- hardwood forests. We will paddle up to the head waters of tees, trees, and preserve water volume and The celebration takes place Saturday, Silver Springs, taking about two hours for its quality. In the end, humans February 7, from 9:30 am to 4 pm. A dedi- the five mile trip, while enjoying will benefit. Short boat rides cation ceremony will take place at 11 am. all the wildlife and atmosphere will be available on the natu- The all day event includes music, food and around the glass-bottom boat ral river. Bring binoculars, beverages, kayak rides, raffles, GPS/photo areas. While we cannot get out spotting scopes, and cameras. contest, and environmental displays that onto the private property at Silver Springs, This event is open to the public. will educate us about the natural systems in there is a nice county pull-out a mile before the preserve. the springs where we can stretch, eat and In the near future WGP offers several wilderness trails for whatever else nature calls. nature walks, including a handicapped ac- For the more adventuresome, there are “A Walk in the Woods: Discovering and cessible boardwalk with a fantastic view of several places along the way to swing and Rediscovering Nature in Alachua County” a natural salt pond. Additional highlights swim from the trees. The current pretty well Starting in March, we will begin taking include a 30-foot observation tower over- takes you back home as long as you keep the monthly hikes through recently dedicated looking tidal wetlands for wildlife viewing pointed end headed down-stream. The total nature preserves and old favorites. Please and a kayak/canoe launch site for offshore trip time is around 4-5 hours, depending send us a list of your favorites. The hikes viewing of the preserve and access to the upon the likes of the group, though anyone will be designed to have educational and, if Waccasacca Bay. Other amenities include could come back sooner. Beginning pad- possible, service components. All hikes will picnic tables and restroom facilities. dlers are welcome. be open to the public. The preserve will be open daily 9:30 am Be sure to bring a Personal Flotation De- Please send your comments and outings sug- to 3 pm, including holidays. vice (PFD) and a whistle to be legal, wa- gestions to Robert Fisher at rcblast1@yahoo. For more information, contact the ter, sun protection as needed, lunch (as the com or (352) 514-7674. 4 Suwannee-St. Johns Sierra Club February 2009

CORNER, from page 2 increase the visibility and the credibility of communities for everyone. the Sierra Club. In these times everyone is busy, but if for our newsletter committee, we can ex- Inside the front cover of the SSJ newslet- you volunteer, your neighbor or co-worker pand the number of articles and depth of ter is a box listing SSJ leaders; any of them is more likely to do so. President Obama’s content by placing expanded versions of se- can help you get involved in an area of your successful campaign was made possible by lect articles on our website. interest, commensurate with your abilities. hundreds of thousands of dedicated volun- There is always a need for volunteers It is gratifying that, in President Obama, teers and millions of contributors, more than to staff Sierra Club tables at community the Sierra Club has a partner who shares our ever before in our history. The Sierra Club events; the more places we can meet people vision and goals for a renewable, sustainable needs a similar groundswell of volunteers in the more people will both volunteer and future that benefits everyone. In order to order to partner with the Obama Adminis- look to us for help with issues of concern sustain hope for our future we must have tration in bringing change to America and, to their community. A committee of peo- change, and each of us must be the change indeed, to the world. Pick up the phone or ple dedicated to various ways to fund-raise we desire. Our planet and all beings on send us an e-mail to discuss how you can would provide not only continuity to our it are at a crossroads. We could live in a best help out. efforts but an expansion of the number of veritable Garden of Eden or a hot, crowded Together the future is ours to create or to issues we can address. In the previous year thirsty planet; it is up to all of us to work merely survive; we still control our destiny, the outings program began a series of ser- within our communities, for all change is but only if we act now. Please find a way vice outings from clean-ups of the road we local. Please consider not only what you to reorganize your personal schedule to find have adopted to tree plantings and beach can do in your own home to reduce your the time to help build a safe, healthy, and restoration projects. These outings not only personal impact, but how you can help the sustainable world. I look forward to your provide a service to our communities, they Sierra Club to build healthy, sustainable help. To mitigate the mitigation—how outrageous! By Kathy Cantwell ally purchasing a wetland. perpetuity - that is until recently! Mitigation is a scheme where environ- For decades, the Army Corps of Engineers The SJRWMD has been ordered to devel- mental impacts are supposed to be offset or has allowed developers to buy conservation op rules whereby they can now release those balanced by an environmental “credit.” In easements (CE) on wetlands owned by indi- easements when it is “for the public good.” other words, you do something good to the viduals and then donate the CE to the state The developers are drooling over this and environment to make up for something you Water Management Districts. The Water have been haggling with the Water Manage- did that was bad for the environment. Management Districts then monitor those ment staff over what these rules will say. TheU S Government (via the Army Corps easements to make sure they are not vio- The Water ManagementD istrict (WMD) of Engineers) and the Florida Department lated. It is estimated that the St Johns River staff has told the board that they believe the of Environmental Protection have been al- Water Management District (SJRWMD) developers should pay the WMD the mon- lowing mitigation for years, especially for monitors over 700,000 acres of CE. etary value of the CE and replace it with wetland destruction. Developers are allowed A conservation easement is a legal restric- another CE or put money into a mitigation to offset the destruction they would do to a tion on land which usually prohibits de- bank. Staff also believes developers should wetland by permanently protecting another velopment of the land and may have other replace the wetland with a wetland in the wetland or enhancing or rehabilitating an- restrictions, especially if it is a wetland. The same hydrological basin, and they want other wetland. Developers can also buy landowner still owns the land and can sell a narrow definition of “public interest” to credits in a mitigation bank in lieu of actu- the land but the restrictions are to remain in see MITIGATION, page 5 February 2009 Suwannee-St. Johns Sierra Club 5

methane is produced and captured in the enclosed facility. The County’s proposed Economic Stimulus or Pork? solar PV to be installed on the roof of a composting facility would produce about By Dwight Adams • New heating and air-conditioning for $500,000 per year from electricity. An Alachua County has submitted its request Alachua County Jail: Improving HVAC anaerobic digestion facility would produce for stimulus projects to Congress. Unfortu- for the Jail would reduce energy use, but more than ten times as much energy worth nately, many of the projects offer few long- would only provide a few short-term jobs about $10 million per year. Furthermore, term green jobs or result in energy savings to the HVAC contractor. the methane could power buses in the BRT or production of renewable energy. Sev- A better project is that of the County’s system, providing a fantastic demonstration eral projects promote more planned sprawl Energy Conservation Strategies Commis- project that would be copied nationwide. growth that will encourage further ineffi- sion (ECSC), namely the weatherization • Fairgrounds commerce center: The cient use of personal automobiles. Some of homes of low-income persons who must County requested economic develop- specific projects and suggested alternatives spend a disproportionate amount of income ment funds to create new fairgrounds that would meet the objectives of the stimu- on heating or cooling of poorly constructed while redeveloping existing fairgrounds lus package that Congress and the President housing. Gainesville Regional Utilities’ into a commerce center. are considering are: (GRU) rebate program for energy-related Instead, a higher priority should be given • $99.4 million for SW 62 Boulevard: improvements is inadequate to address the to another ECSC recommendation, name- This project was born as an earmark of problem and many cannot afford improve- ly, inorganic waste recycling through an about $1 million for a developer to in- ments averaging $1,000 per home. County expanded material recycling facility (MRF) crease the colossal Butler Plaza shopping residents who are not GRU customers do with waste-based industries concentrated center. The project would have never not have this option. around it. An EPA study indicates that a made it as a top priority without the ear- Ten million dollars will weatherize 10,000 75% recycling rate for the County (220,000 mark. Awarding funds for this from the homes at $1,000 each. Gainesville has sev- population) could produce over 1500 jobs stimulus package would be converting eral small home energy improvement busi- with an average pay of $30,000 per year. the earmark into full-fledged pork. nesses that could hire and train additional Nationwide, the current recycling rate of Instead of this project and other road workers to make the improvements. This about 35% provides about 1.1 million jobs. resurfacing projects, we suggest funds to model program could be copied elsewhere, An increase of recycling to 75% would pro- improve mass transit. Alachua County is creating thousands of new green jobs while duce another 1 million jobs. To create a de- considering Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) that saving energy and reducing utility bills for mand for recycled materials, stimulus leg- would reduce the use of private automo- low-income people. islation should require 75% recycling and biles and would be especially beneficial to • Organics recycling facility—ECSC rec- mandate recycled content in packaging and low-income persons who depend on pub- ommended more recycling to include or- manufactured products. Subsidies to small lic transportation. Without Federal fund- ganics. However, an anaerobic digestion waste-based industries would be far more ing, BRT is unlikely to happen in Alachua facility was recommended rather than effective in creating jobs than subsidies to County in the near future. (Limited space the composting facility that the County large agricultural conglomerates for grow- to mention, but Gainesville is planning at (ECSC?) requested. ing corn. least one megabuck direct commuter bike The advantage of anaerobic digestion (For more information on this, go to our trail from SW Haile to Shands). over composting (aerobic digestion) is that website at www.gatorsierra.org.)

MITIGATION, from page 4 Board will be deciding on these rules on by a wetland in the same basin. Email your Feb 10. This board of businessmen and comments to [email protected], mean projects that are local government citizens appointed by the Governor will be with subject, “rules regarding release of con- public works projects, such as a road. making the final decision after hearing all servation easements.” Address your com- Of course the developers are saying this is arguments. ments to the Governing Board. unfair, that a CE has no monetary value and The Board needs to hear from you (as Please go to www.gatorsierra.org to see the WMD has no property rights conveyed does the Governor) that this whole scheme the letter written to SJRWMD by SSJ Sierra by a CE. They want to be able to replace a is a betrayal of public trust. regarding this. It was presented at the Jan juicy prime development property that hap- A conservation easement is supposed to 13 SJRWMD Governing Board meeting. pens to be a wetland with a CE on it with be permanent; any exceptions to this should Because of the public outcry, the decision a much cheaper property in another hydro- be rare. was postponed until Feb 10, the next Gov- logical basin. They want the definition of The WMD needs to receive the full mon- erning Board meeting. “public good” to be expanded as well. etary value of the easement if there is no (For more information on this, go to our The St Johns River Water Management other alternative, and it needs to be replaced website at www.gatorsierra.org.) 6 Suwannee-St. Johns Sierra Club February 2009 February 2009 Suwannee-St. Johns Sierra Club 7 Why Are We Building a Marina?

By Karen Ahlers contact information such as your name, home or business address President of Putnam County Environmental Council and phone number. cklawaha Restoration opponents are at it You can also contact: again. The St. Johns River Water Manage- Colonel Paul L. Grosskruger, District Engineer, Jacksonville Dis- ment District (SJRWMD) is currently re- trict Corps of Engineers, Attention: Norma Fouraker, Regulatory Oviewing a permit application to build a 400 slip ma- Division ([email protected]) or PO Box 4970, rina in Rodman pool. Could it be a ploy to hamper Jacksonville, FL 32232 RE: Rebel Investment Corp.; Permit Ap- plication #SAJ-2008-2172. restoration?? Be sure to also cc: The project site is adjacent to the Cross • Eric Hughes, EPA-USACOE Liaison ([email protected]) or Florida Greenway and the and currently PO Box 4970, Jacksonville, FL 32232. consists of an existing RV park, forest, and portions of Rodman • Karen Ahlers, President ([email protected]) Putnam County pool. Environmental Council, Inc., PO Box 1836, Interlachen, FL The permit application proposes a 10-foot wide, 3,757-foot long 32148. Call 352-475-1936 or 352-546-3560. perimeter boardwalk along the entire property as well as construc- Please don’t hesitate to ask if you have any questions. tion of four floating dock structures with a total of 400 boat slips. (Editors note: Go to www.gatorsierra.org to see more information re- The complete permit application can be found on the SJRWMD garding this issue.) website (www.sjrwmd.com) e-permitting section by searching the project name, Lake Oklawaha RV Park (Docks), or permit num- ber 40-083-26668-6. Gov. Crist and the Florida Department of Environmental Pro- tection (FDEP) Secretary, Michael Sole, have publicly committed to restoring the Ocklawaha by removing Rodman Dam. Other state agencies, including FDEP’s Office of Greenways and Trails, have pointed out that FDEP is pursuing permit applications to restore the pre-Rodman dam flows to the Ocklawaha system. The Florida Division of Historical Resources (DHR) says that plans filed with the SJRWMD indicate that the dock structure will Want to go most likely be located directly above a submerged prehistoric ca- paperless? noe. The project site is also close to other identified archeological resources and other potentially significant historic sites, including human remains. Contact Moreover, the project site is located within the Florida Fish and Roberta Gastmeyer Wildlife Conservation Commission’s (FWC) designated primary at range for the Florida black bear. [email protected] The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has recom- to receive your newsletter mended denial of the permit application after determining that by e-mail. the proposed project does not comply with guidelines of the Clean Water Act for dredge and fill operations. EPA has also ex- pressed concern that the proposed project impacts have not been adequately described, including the proposed effects on the gov- ernmental resources expended over the last 25+ years of funding, plan development, coordination, and legal actions to restore the Ocklawaha River. Please write a letter addressed to the SJRWMD and the Army Corps of Engineers. Send your letters to Mike Dinardo and Brian Abrams at [email protected], or SJRWMD PO Box 1429, Palatka, FL 32177 RE: ERP Application #40-083- 26668-6, Lake Oklawaha RV Park (Docks); Applicant - Minor’s Marine Construction, Inc. To file as an objector you must provide Suwannee-St. Johns Group Sierra Club Periodicals U.S. POSTAGE NEWSLETTER PAID P.O. Box 13951 Gainesville FL 32608 Gainesville FL 32604

Explore, enjoy and protect the planet

February 2009 CALENDAR OF EVENTS FEB 5— SSJ Sierra Club Group general meeting, 7:30 p.m., in the Entomology/Nem- atology Building on the UF campus, room 3118 (see page 1 for details). FEB 7—Grand Opening of Withlacoochee Gulf Preserve, 9:30 to 4 p.m. (see Outings article page 3). FEB 9—Sweetwater Branch/Paynes Prairie Sheetflow Restoration project status meeting, 9 to 11 a.m., at the GRU Multi-purpose room. FEB 12— SSJ Sierra Club Executive Committee meeting, 7 p.m., at the Santa Fe Community College Downtown Gainesville campus. Board meeting room. Feb 14— Valentine’s Paddle Outing, 9:30 a.m. (see Outings article page 3) Feb 21— Lecture on Rodman Dam Restoration, noon to 3 p.m. (see Outings article page 3). FEB 27— Folding Party for the February newsletter, 7:30 p.m., at Scott Camil and Sherry Steiner’s house. Call 375-2563 for more information. Volunteer Now! President Obama has challenged us to make a difference and volunteer. Want to make a difference? Find out how you can volunteer for your local Sierra Club by going to www.gatorsierra.org. Or check out the listed executive committee members and their subcommittees on page 2 and call them up to see how you can help.