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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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February 2024 Newsletter
Friends of the Rivers Coalition E-Newsletter
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Rivers Coalition Meeting
Thursday, February 22, 2024
11:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Stuart City Hall Chambers
121 SW Flagler Ave, Stuart, FL
This meeting is in person and via Zoom, and is open to the public, with plenty of free parking available. Email info@riverscoalition.org for Zoom link.
LAKE OKEECHOBEE DISCHARGES AND IMPACTS TO THE ST. LUCIE RIVER ESTUARY
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) announced they will begin discharges on Saturday, February 17th from Lake Okeechobee into the northern estuaries.
Join us on February 22nd to hear representatives from the USACE and the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) explain the reasons for the discharges and what we can expect in the days to come.
Featured speakers will be Col. James Booth, USACE District Commander of the Jacksonville District, and SFWMD team members John Mitnik, Assistant Executive Director, and Lawrence Glenn, Division Director of Water Resources.
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Business Matters:
- Call to Order and Chairman’s Comments: Mark Perry, President
- Rivers Coalition, Inc. Business matters and Membership roll call
- Presentation:
LAKE OKEECHOBEE DISCHARGES TO BEGIN--
HOW WILL THIS IMPACT THE ST. LUCIE RIVER ESTUARY?
Col. James Booth, USACE District Commander of the Jacksonville District
John Mitnik, SFWMD Assistant Executive Director
Lawrence Glenn, SFWMD Division Director, Water Resources
Government & Agency Progress Reports:
- Martin County: John Maehl
- City of Stuart/LOSOM: Ben Hogarth
- South Florida Water Management District: John Mitnik, Lawrence Glenn
- State and Federal Agencies: FDEP, USACE, FWC
- Lake Okeechobee Update: Dr. Paul Gray
- State and Federal Legislation: Eve Samples/Gil Smart
Coalition Reports:
- Rivers Coalition Committee Updates:
- River Kidz: Nic Mader
- Speakers Bureau: Todd Weissing
- Local Issues & Estuary Water Quality: Mark Perry
- Seagrass Update: Todd Thurlow/Jim Moir
- Riverkeeper Update: Jim Moir(Indian River)
- Member Comments and Announcements
- Adjourn
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Call to Action by Martin County Forever
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Exciting times are ahead as we gear up to make our voices heard at the Martin County Commission meeting on Tuesday, February 20 at 10:30 am (note time change for when the agenda item will be heard).
Please join us for SIGN WAVING at 8:30 am to show your support for placing a referendum on the November 2024 ballot for a 10-year, half-cent sales tax to purchase and conserve natural lands in Martin County. We’ll be gathering outside the Martin County Admin building (2401 SE Monterey Rd in Stuart). And what better way to show our grassroots support than with some handmade posters! Nothing fancy needed. Just head over to your local craft store, Walgreens, CVS, Target or Walmart and buy posterboard and a pack of colored markers. Then, write a supportive message on your sign. Here are a few suggestions:
"Let Voters Decide"
"Vote Yes for Land Conservation"
"Vote Yes for the Referendum"
If you want to wave a sign but can’t make one yourself, don’t worry. We’ll have some already made. Note, signs are not permitted inside the building or commission chambers.
Let's make our voices heard and stand together in support of preserving our natural environment and quality of life.
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River Kidz Assisted with Shoreline Planting
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The River Kidz did an amazing job with their eco-art to educate the public on our upcoming shoreline planting project! A huge thanks to the B the Change Native Plants & Landscape Designs for supplying the pizza and Environmental Studies Center for the space.
We are excited to participate in this incredible restoration project in Jensen Beach! And there is still time to get involved.
Join us for the shoreline planting on Saturday, February 17th from 9 a.m. to noon. Volunteers will actively participate in the planting/installation process.
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4th Annual IRK Sand Spike Shootout March 23-24
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Rivers Coalition Meeting January 2024
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At our January public meeting, Gil Smart, Executive Director of VoteWater, took us on a deep dive
through the bad (and some good) bills being considered in the Florida 2024 legislative session and gave a summary of the ones to keep an eye on.
Gil Smart gives a preview of the legislative session.
Maj. Cory Bell, USACE Deputy District Commander for South Florida |
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Rivers Coalition Meeting Minutes: January 18, 2024
Summary of Comments
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Mark Perry called the meeting to order at 11:02 am. There were 40 attendees in person, 14 attendees on ZOOM call.
Minutes taken by Miki Blumenthal, Administrative Assistant
Opening Comments: Mark Perry welcomed everyone and announced that the Florida Legislature is currently in session and we are currently tracking bills. Gil Smart will be giving a presentation at today’s meeting.
Membership Roll Call: The microphone was passed around the room and everyone present introduced themselves and what member organization they represent. Those present on Zoom did the same.
Introduction of 2024 Rivers Coalition Board: Mark Perry announced the 2024 Rivers Coalition board members and officers and introduced those present at the meeting.
Presentation: “Tallahassee: A Look at the Bad (and Good) Bills to be Considered During the 2024 Legislative Session”
Gil Smart, Executive Director of VoteWater and board member of Rivers Coalition, gave an informative presentation summarizing the bills currently being introduced at this year’s Florida legislative session. This year’s session appears to be an even worse version of last year’s “session of sprawl.” Gil did mention a couple of good bills also coming up.
Mark Perry thanked Gil, VoteWater, and Friends of the Everglades for their diligent work on tracking the legislation. For more information, go to votewater.org and everglades.org. He mentioned that the governor’s proposed budget is done and has to go to the Senate and House.
The above presentation in its entirety can be seen at www.riverscoalition.org.
Discussion: (summary of discussion-not verbatim)
Government & Agency Reports:
Martin County: John Maehl agreed that this Florida legislative session has a massive bill dump. He introduced a new member of his team, Amy Eason, Environmental Resource Engineer.
City of Stuart/LOSOM: Ben Hogarth mentioned that he is also responsible for doing legislative analysis for the city, and he addressed the fertilizer ordinance. He talked about concerns about high lake levels, the amicus brief recently filed by the City of Stuart, and an update on the septic-to-sewer conversions.
SFWMD: Kathy LaMartina, Project Manager at SFWMD, gave a “big picture” overview of current projects the SFWMD is working on. She mentioned that they will be hosting a reception at EVCO next week.
USACE: Major Cory Bell, Deputy District Commander for South Florida USACE, gave an update on USACE projects and lake discharges (currently none going east and 2000 CFS going west). Agencies met in mid-November and expect to put the new LOSOM regulations into effect sometime this year.
Lake O Update: Paul Gray said the lake level has been at 16 feet for months. Heavy rains have caused excess nutrients in the lake, causing depletion of fisheries and loss of the lake as a winter habitat for migrating birds.
State and Federal Legislation: See presentation.
Coalition Reports:.
River Kidz: Casey Kniffin announced that the River Kidz are partnering with the Environmental Studies Center on a shoreline planting project on February 17th.
Speakers Bureau: In Todd Weissing’s absence, Mark Perry announced that the Speaker’s Bureau is scheduled to speak at the Jensen Beach Club in February and at the Fort Pierce Yacht Club in early March.
Seagrass Update: Todd Thurlow showed his new website section that is now live. It gives a visual representation of phosphorus levels, with detailed maps.
Extensive discussion ensued about the C44 reservoir and STAs (Stormwater Treatment Areas).
Riverkeeper Update: Jim Moir mentioned there is seagrass recovery in Mosquito Lagoon, but not much in this area since July. Lots of dredging projects are currently ongoing. He reminded us of the importance of keeping boats in the channels, as he has seen injured manatees and sea turtles.
Member and Public Comments:
Mark Perry announced that the Dolphin Ecology’s Project 40th Anniversary Celebration is March 15th. See the sign and postcards in the back of the room.
Jacqui Thurlow-Lippisch handed out brochures about the 100th Anniversary of the St. Lucie Canal.
Greg Braun announced that the Guardians of Martin County’s Loxalucie project received an endorsement from the Stuart Garden Club.
Merritt Matheson gave an update on the “Martin County Forever” initiative. Their goal is to have the proposal written and ready by February 20th.
Amanda Purnell (Friends of the Everglades) announced that applications are now being accepted for this year’s Karen Mashburn Environmental Scholars Program scholarship and internship. Details are available at everglades.org.
Diane Goldberg mentioned that she is available for lectures on native plants. She is giving a free lecture at the IRSC Pruitt Campus on February 13th on “Native Edibles and Historical Medicinal Plants.”
Mark Perry announced that the Florica Oceanographic’s Coastal Lecture Series has begun and will be held at the Blake Library on Tuesday nights from January 9th through March 12th at 6:30 p.m.
Renee Lessard-Moreshead reminded everyone of the Martin County Commission meeting tonight at the Blake Library at 6:00 pm.
The meeting was adjourned at 12:25 p.m.
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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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All Meetings are at 11:00 a.m.
Stuart City Hall Chambers
121 SW Flagler Ave, Stuart, FL
February 22, 2024 - Thursday
March 28, 2024 - Thursday
April 25, 2024 - Thursday
May 23, 2024 - Thursday
June 27, 2024 - Thursday
July 25, 2024 - Thursday
August 2024 - no meeting
September 26, 2024 - Thursday
October 24, 2024 - Thursday
November 21, 2024 - Thursday
December 2024- no meeting
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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2024 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
Gil Smart, Director
Merritt Matheson, Director
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PO Box 2627
Stuart, FL 34995
772-225-6849
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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 & Marina of Stuart, Audubon Florida, Audubon of Martin County, Ballantrae Anglers Club, Ballantrae Yacht Club, Beau Rivage HOA, Business Development Board of Martin County, 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, Guardians of Martin County, Harborage Yacht Condominiums, Harbour Ridge Yacht Club, Hutchinson Island Preservation Initiative, Humanists of the Treasure Coast, Indian Riverkeeper, Indian River Plantation POA, Jensen Beach Chamber of Commerce, Joe's Point HOA, Keep Martin Beautiful, Lake Okeechobee Restoration Initiative, 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, 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, Martin County Future Group, Martin County Hotel & Motel Association,Miramar POA, Nettles Island Community Action Assoc., North River Shores Prop. Assoc., Ocean Research and Conservation Association, 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, Sandhill Cove Retirement Living, Sailfish Point POA, Sailfish Point Yacht Club, Savanna Fishing Club, Save the Manatee 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 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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