Seminole County wanting to draw water from the St. Johns.

I don't see the counties mentioned doing anything that Seminole county isn't, fighting for something they believe in, and/or want.  The St Johns River belongs to no one, and everyone in the state. Once it starts where does it end, and the long term impact to the enviroment cannot truly be known, it can only be guessed at.  I would be just as against it if it were Clay County.  What will happen is 15yrs down the road when the damage is done "they" will go "oops my bad" and then make us all pay for damage control which could turn out to be an exercise in futility. 

It's already been established that it is not a long term solution so why go there.  I think the River already has enough damage to deal with.  It's not just the River, it's every tributary that connects to it.  The current of the River is like none other except for perhaps one so it's not like other studies are pertinent to the St Johns.

Where the St. Johns River begins or ends isn't germane to the debate about massive amounts of water being withdrawn on a daily basis.  The river, as Marsha stated, belongs to everyone.  Even more, the St. Johns River belongs to generations of Floridians who haven't even been born yet.  It is not one region's to claim as its own and change for everyone else.

Millions of gallons a day from "our" river to accommodate growth that did not otherwise properly plan for needed infrastructure is not a proper solution to Central Florida's water problem.  It is, at best, a stop-gap measure and, at worst, a prescription for environmental disaster.

Kudos to the County Commission for taking another step in its fight to preserve the St. Johns at yesterday's BCC meeting.  The same to the Clay County Chamber of Commerce for joining the fight.

Michael S. Mann

Yesterday a lady appeared before the BCC she was from Seminole County. She wanted to organize an event in Clay County for the bike riders. She asked for the vote of the Commission. She will be back in April due to some insurance issues.

When questioned why in Clay County? She stated there was some much building in her county they had no place to ride. They really enjoyed the scenic veiw and the rural areas to ride in our county. She stated her other alternative was Miami and that was out of the question.

Wake up call to the Commissioners and the people who want to protect the River. After all is our River and for the generations to come in Florida. The Old Florida once destroyed can't be replaced.

There is building slated for Hwy 16 all way across where they want to ride at the present time including the proposed beltway. They discussed the Highlands DRI yesterday that goes all the way to Bradford County off 218.

What problems they are having in Semionle County not only with the water but as a consequence of the over building. Will be the same problems we will have in Clay County if we refuse to connect the two and put a halt to both until some solutions can be worked out for Florida as a whole.

Draining the river will not fix the problems but will create more problems.

So no one should have more say over this river then the next.  It belongs to all.

I seem to be on a roll with old sayings, but I think it pertinent.  Just because something CAN be done, it does not necessarily follow that it SHOULD be done.  The question of using the river for this purpose is not the first, only or last time this type of problem has reared its head.  If nothing else, there should be ample history of what these kinds of decisions have wrought.  I truly hope that someone in the decision making process thinks of past consequences to similar actions.  JATFUR.

RichK

"Water, Water everywhere, but not a drop to drink."

This is fast becoming a reality and not just a saying.

If you really want to know why Clay, Duval and any other county should worry about what Seminole county does with the water, just go do some research on the Colorado River.

It no longer reaches the Gulf of California unless there are some very heavy rain storms in Mexico.

If everyone upstream were allowed to take all they wanted we wouldn't need any bridges to cross the river bed. 

Mike Heemer

Bloggers,

While the BCC wrangles with the legality of slowing down SJRWMD's impetus to draw down on the St. Johns, I encourage everyone who is interested and available to join us this Friday at the Thrasher-Horne Center for the Arts as we continue to envision the future for our natural environment. This committee has members from all walks of interests: agricultural, environmental, forestry, riverkeeping, conservation, and mining.

The working vision is: Clay County’s abundant natural resources are effectively managed and carefully preserved and protected.  Clay County manages its growth in a sustainable fashion without compromising the natural environment, and conserves and protects its water resources.  Open rural space is valued and its protection is balanced with the county’s agricultural heritage.

Now we have to support it with indicators that will measure our ability to keep the vision and strategies to achieve the balance.

Not to beat a dead horse but the best way to affect a change you feel is necessary is to be part of it.

Karen Lake

If "Clay County manages its growth in a sustainable fashion without compromising the natural environment" as you say then take a drive down LongBay outside of Middleburg and once you see the developement that is in year 2 you might want to change that statement some.  Along with the new developement that is being planned for the corner of HWY 21 and 16.  In my book these don't fall under "sustainable fashiions".  All in May the moritorium is up so we shall really see what our High priced public officials have to say.