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Our Mission is to stop discharges into the St. Lucie River from Lake Okeechobee and to fight for a safe, healthy, and ecologically balanced St. Lucie River Estuary and Indian River Lagoon, and the natural resources that are vital to the economy and quality of life of Martin County and the Treasure Coast. |
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August 2023 Newsletter
Friends of the Rivers Coalition E-Newsletter
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**No Rivers Coalition Meeting in August**
WE WISH ALL OUR MEMBERS A VERY SAFE AND HAPPY LABOR DAY WEEKEND!
Our next meeting will be:
Thursday, September 28, 2023
11:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Stuart City Hall Chambers
121 SW Flagler Ave, Stuart, FL
TOPIC/SPEAKERS TO BE DETERMINED--STAY TUNED FOR SEPTEMBER NEWSLETTER FOR MORE DETAILS
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Rivers Coalition Meeting July 2023
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Eve Samples, Executive Director of Friends of the Everglades, discussed the recent national spotlight on the toxic algae levels in Lake Okeechobee, both in the New York Times and Time magazine. Dan Egan, author of the New York Times article and of the book, The Devil’s Element: Phosphorus and a World Out of Balance, answered questions from the audience.
Dan Egan attended the meeting via Zoom.
A peek "behind the scenes" at our hybrid meeting.
Our August meeting, as well as the majority of our meetings this year, was well attended both in person and via Zoom.
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Lake Okeechobee Approaching Discharge Level
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A reminder to our members to PLEASE BE PREPARED as we approach the peak of the hurricane season (September 10th) and the very likely scenario of toxic discharges from Lake Okeechobee if we do get a storm. The graph below shows the lake levels over the years. **Note how high Lake O is right now compared to past years.**
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 LTC Todd Polk, Deputy District Commander for South Florida with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, retired this month. LTC Polk came to all of our Rivers Coalition public meetings and was extremely responsive on reporting updates to the Coalition. We all appreciated working with him over the years and wish him well!
We would like to welcome his replacement, Major Cory Bell, whom we look forward to working with. Stay tuned for more information on Major Bell in an upcoming newsletter.
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Friends of the Everglades' "Sugar Reform Now" Petition
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Every 5 years Congress renews the Farm Bill. For the better part of a century, the U.S. Farm Bill has protected billionaire-backed sugar companies at the expense of clean air and water in Florida.
The current Farm Bill expires September 30, 2023. Friends of the Everglades is calling on Congress to stop subsidizing the environmental and human-rights abuses of Big Sugar by ending the sugar program.
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SIGNATURES NEEDED
"The Right to Clean and Healthy Waters" Petition!
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A reminder that the "Right to Clean and Healthy Waters" petition needs 900,000 signatures by November 30th to get on the 2024 ballot. More information on the proposed amendment can be found at: https://fronn.org/the-right-to-clean-water. The petition can be read in its entirety and printed out and signed here:
**IMPORTANT** The petition must be mailed to the address found in the link above; OR
contact the local organizations listed below to obtain and/or drop off your signed petition:
Diane Goldberg (St. Lucie Audubon Society): digoldberg@bellsouth.net Ph: (772) 343-8666
Friends of the Everglades: info@everglades.org Ph: (305) 669-0858
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River Kidz Upcoming Events
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This year's International Coastal Cleanup is just around the corner, and we are so excited for one of Martin County's most significant cleanup events of the year! Last year, more than 1,000 motivated volunteers teamed up to beautify our beaches, parks, and waterways. River Kidz is a proud sponsor and volunteer, and we hope you'll join us at Stuart Beach on September 16 from 8-11 a.m. If you want to volunteer with River Kidz at this event, RSVP here!
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10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
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Rivers Coalition Meeting Minutes: July 27, 2023
Summary of Comments
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Charles Grande called the meeting to order at 11:04 am. There were 50 attendees in person, 19 attendees on ZOOM call.
Minutes taken by Miki Blumenthal, Administrative Assistant
Opening Comments: Charles Grande welcomed everyone and introduced Eve Samples, mentioning that Dan Egan would be joining via Zoom after Eve’s talk.
Presentation: National Spotlight on Lake O
Eve Samples, Executive Director of Friends of the Everglades, discussed her recent visit to Washington, DC to meet with elected officials about the upcoming farm bill. She talked about the recent national spotlight on the toxic algae levels in Lake Okeechobee, both in the New York Times and Time magazine. Eve then introduced Dan Egan, author of the New York Times article and author of the book, The Devil’s Element: Phosphorus and a World Out of Balance. Dan attended via Zoom and answered questions from the audience, including what led him to write the book and article. A lengthy Q&A session ensued.
The above presentation in its entirety can be seen at www.riverscoalition.org.
Comments:
Charles Grande belatedly recognized City Commissioners Becky Bruner, Campbell Rich, and Chris Collins, as well as County Commissioner Sarah Heard and LTC Polk.
Discussion: (summary of discussion-not verbatim)
Government & Agency Reports:
Martin County: Dr. Elizabeth Kelley, Environmental Programs Coordinator for Martin County, gave an update on recent meetings the county has had with regard to workshops and LOSOM. She talked in length about 2 upcoming programs: (1) a long-term water-quality monitoring program, and (2) a seagrass project. A Q&A session took place with regard to the above and STAs.
City of Stuart/LOSOM: Ben Hogarth stated the city’s main project is managing stormwater runoff and talked about how the city is following the BMAP guidelines. He also discussed LOSOM and the importance of the USACE’s flexibility in recovery operations.
Dr. Paul Gray elaborated on the fact that 2 of the 3 triggers for recovery operation are in place; the 3rd being the lake level. Currently the lake is stressed due to the deep water.
SFWMD: N/A
USACE: Lt. Col. Polk thanked the City of Stuart for its letter of support with regard to LOSOM. He is retiring in August of this year.
Lake O Update: See Dr. Paul Gray’s comments under “City of Stuart” above.
State and Federal Legislation: See Eve’s comments in the opening presentation.
Coalition Reports:
River Kidz: Nic Mader thanked all current and former River Kidz members and introduced Kelli Dore, one of the River Momz. Kelli Dore gave an update on River Kidz activities, including upcoming Back-to-School cleanup and collaborating with the Young Friends of the Everglades’ school programs.
Speakers Bureau: Todd Weissing mentioned how busy the speakers bureau has been this year and emphasized that he is available upon request.
Riverkeeper Update: Jim Moir was not present.
Water Quality: See below.
Seagrass Update: Todd Thurlow stated the current lake level is 14.98. The seagrass levels are significantly higher than in January of last year. He showed updated images from his website eyeonlakeo.com and also talked about the phosphorus data mentioned by Dan Egan. He discussed the increased number of water quality stations.
Public and Closing Comments:
Diane Goldberg mentioned she also is available for lectures on the Clean Water Initiative and also on what we can do in our gardens with regard to not using pesticides and fertilizers. She discussed the topic of farms getting their own restoration areas and why it has not been at the forefront. Diane reminded us of the Right to Clean Water petitions.
Jacqui Thurlow-Lippisch commented (via Zoom) that we should be restoring the land around Lake Okeechobee to what it once was.
Charles Grande announced that there would not be a public Rivers Coalition meeting in August.
The meeting was adjourned at 12:35 pm. |
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The Newest Version of the River Kidz Workbook has been published!
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The River Kidz workbooks have arrived from Southeastern Printing
The workbooks were distributed to the
4th grade classes of all Martin County Schools
FREE OF CHARGE
Thanks to the generous donations of kind supporters of the River Kidz
If you are a homeschool or a private school
please email info@riverscoalition.org
to receive your free copies
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2023 Rivers Coalition Board Members
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Mark Perry, President
Charles Grande, Vice President
Jim Moir, Secretary
Darrell Brand, Treasurer
Eve Samples, Director
Nicole Mader, Director
Todd Thurlow, Director
Todd Weissing, Director
Blair Wickstrom, Director
Gil Smart, Director
Merritt Matheson, Director
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All Meetings are at 11:00 a.m.
Stuart City Hall Chambers
121 SW Flagler Ave, Stuart, FL
NO MEETING IN AUGUST
September 28, 2023 - Thursday
October 26, 2023 - Thursday
November 16, 2023 - Thursday
NO MEETING IN DECEMBER
For updates, please visit our Facebook page by clicking below:
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Check out the Rivers Coalition website
https://riverscoalition.org/
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Rivers Coalition Organizational Members
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Members: 1000 Friends of Florida, 27-80 Paddlers, American Association of University Women, Arthur R. Marshall Foundation, Atlantic Point Yacht Club and Marina of Stuart, Audubon Florida, Audubon of Martin County, Ballantrae Anglers Club, Ballantrae Yacht Club, Beau Rivage HOA, Business Development Board of Martin County, Circle Bay Yacht Club Condo Assn. Inc., Citizens for Clean Water, Computer Network Services, Conservation Alliance of St. Lucie Co. Inc, Cypress Lake HOA, Dolphin Ecology Project, Driftwood Motel of Jensen Beach. Economic Council of Martin County, Florida Oceanographic Society, Florida Sportsman, Fort Pierce Yacht Club, Four Rivers Property Association, Four Winds Condo Association, Friends of The Everglades, Friends of Harbor Branch - FAU, Gregor Woods HOA, Guardians of Martin County, Harborage Yacht Condominiums, Harbour Ridge Yacht Club, Humanists of the Treasure Coast, Hutchinson Island Preservation Initiative, Indian Riverkeeper, Indian River Plantation POA, Jensen Beach Chamber of Commerce, Joe's Point HOA, Keep Martin Beautiful, Lake Worth Waterkeeper, Leadership Martin, League of Women Voters of Martin Co., League of Women’s Voters of SLC Co., Lighthouse Point Association Inc., Locks Landing HOA, Lost River Plantation HOA, Marine Cleanup Initiative Inc., Marine Industries Assoc. of Treasure Coast, Marine Resources Council, Martin County Anglers, Martin County Chapter of the Florida Native Plant Society, Martin County Conservation Alliance, Martin County Democratic Environmental Caucus, Martin County Farm Bureau, Miramar POA, Nettles Island Community Action Assoc., North River Shores Prop. Assoc., Ocean Research and Conservation Association, Palm City Chamber of Commerce, Palm City Civic Assn, Palm Cove Yacht Club, Palm Cove HOA, Pierpoint Condominium Assoc., Port Salerno Commercial Fishing Dock Assoc., Port Sewall Harbor & Tennis Club Owners Ass, Port Sewall Property Owners Assoc., Port St Lucie Anglers, President’s Council of Hutchinson Island, Realtor Association of Martin County, Rio Civic Club, River Club Dock Owners Association Inc., River Kidz, River Vista HOA, River Warriors, Royal Harbor Homeowners Assn, Sailfish Point POA, Sailfish Point Yacht Club, Sandhill Cove Retirement Living, Savanna Fishing Club, Seagate Harbor Homeowners Assoc., Sierra Club-:Loxahatchee Group, Snug Harbor Yacht Club, St. Lucie Audubon Society, St. Lucie River Yacht Club, St. Lucie Sailing Club, St. Lucie Settlement Inc., Stuart Corinthian Yacht Club, Stuart Heritage, Stuart Rod & Reel Club, Stuart/Martin County Chamber, Surfrider Foundation, Teamsters Local 769, The Garden Club of Stuart Inc, The Estuary at North River Shores, The Junior League of Martin County, Treasure Coast Buddhist Cooperative, Treasure Coast Builders Association, Treasure Coast Democratic Environmental Caucus, Treasure Coast Golf Course Superintendents Association, Treasure Coast Rowing Club, Treasure Coast Unitarian Universalist Church, US Sailing Center of Martin County, Venture Three Community, VoteWater, Windjammer Condo Association
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PO Box 2627
Stuart, FL 34995
772-225-6849
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