http://www.firstcoastnews.com/story/news/local/2015/01/12/strange-bedfellows-chamber-port-riverkeeper/21632271/
I'd love to see the Ocklawaha run free, but...really? is this a deal with the devils by an org that used to stand and fight? a flim flam pre-election sham of poly-ticks ambitious who are eager to create the illusion of protection of The St Johns with sanction by a non-profit org that appears to have lost its moral compass, ever pressed to simply sustain the financial status quo?
marry the Jax Chamber, the Jacksonville Port Authority, city officials + a non-profit funded by citizens hoping to save our water...and expect them "to find funds and obtain permission...." Time will tell if COJ can find funds or business leaders become environmentally sensitive. Smells fishy to me.
Seems weird - if the RK was really against dredging wouldn't you want to stand up for that and not make sacrifices?
BTW, the RK is touting it as a "major victory" for St Johns, so maybe it outweighs the dredging? Maybe the RK knew they'd lose any dredging lawsuits? Maybe dredging isn't as bad as thought? I have no idea.
https://www.facebook.com/stjohnsriverkeeper/posts/10153077732121162
edit: you may want to update the title of this thread to reflect more of what's going on, it would be easier to find :)
The removal of the rodman dam is a big deal. That river has for all intents and purposes been closed to all navigation aside from bass boats since they built it. If they had a part in bringing that about, then I have to say, dam ('scuse the pun) good job.
I really "should" reply to this thread but for now,will not. Not after this mornings' note to Ron Littlepage,referencing decades- long involvement.
8)
Funny post on Facebook, that the RK was basically holding NE Florida hostage for 25 million. Sad, but about right.
On their Facebook page, the SJRK says they can still file suit against the Corps of Engineers environmental study if the upcoming Legislative session does not approve removing Rdoman Dam.
Does the "deal" say where the couple hundred million for Jacksonville's share of the dredging will come from?
Now known as the "Ockleewahlala" river. ;D
Removing the dam is all well and good but they've been trying to remove it for 30 years with no success. I'll believe it when I see it.
TV News tonight had stories about Putnam County and the recreational fishing industry will be opposing removing the dam.
Going to be an interesting Legislative session.
How will legislators from other port cities vote on their competition?
The best coverage of the story so far is from the Times-Union:
http://jacksonville.com/news/florida/2015-01-10/story/business-leaders-st-johns-river-watchdogs-form-unlikely-pact-dredging
a lot of interesting information + discussion of the Ocklawaha mitigation plan at the Jaxport Task Force November 12, 2014 mtg http://www.coj.net/mayor/port-task-force.aspx (http://www.coj.net/mayor/port-task-force.aspx)