Monthly Archives: April 2017

Gretchen Quarterman about WWALS at Kiwanis 2017-04-07

WWALS Executive Director Gretchen Quarterman explained WWALS and Suwannee Riverkeeper to the Kiwanis Club of Valdosta, Friday, April 7, 2017. After a brief exercise in getting the windows covered to enhance the video projector brightness, the group was engaged and asked questions about river access, agricultural run off, land stewardship, and some shared their experiences of being on the rivers. It is always a pleasure to share our love of the rivers and our efforts to protect water quality with those in our community.

Wade Kruger of Kiwanis and Gretchen Quarterman of WWALS
Wade Krueger of Kiwanis and Gretchen Quarterman of WWALS
Picture by Justin Cabral of Kiwanis Club of Valdosta

 -jsq, John S. Quarterman, Suwannee RIVERKEEPER®

You can join this fun and work by becoming a WWALS member today!

BIG Little River Paddle Race on Scott James Radio 8AM 2017-04-27

At least three people are seriously training for the Fifth Annual BIG Little River Paddle Race. Maybe it won’t be the usual winner this time! Plus there are prizes in a wide range of categories (solo, double, male, female, ages, etc.) this Saturday April 29th, at Reed Bingham State Park between Adel and Moultrie, GA.

I’ll be on the radio 8AM this Thursday April 27th talking about that and related matters, such as WWALS is now also Suwannee Riverkeeper, with Scott James on his Talk 92.1 drive-time radio show, out of Valdosta, Georgia.

When: 8AM, Thursday, April 27, 2017

Where: You can listen on the air, or through the radio show’s own website, or through several online listening services.

Register: Don’t forget to register for the paddle race, either online or at the event. Continue reading →

BMAPs: Agriculture and water at the Suwannee River Basin crossroads 2017-04-13

The conclusion from FDEP in their BMAP presented to an almost-full SRWMD boardroom on April 13, 2017 was: nitrogen runoff into springs and rivers from all sources (the biggest being agriculture, dairies, and poultry) must decrease 83 to 93 percent. For once nobody seemed to argue with research by state agencies. Rather everyone, from representatives of the biggest of farmers to Pilgrim’s Pride to a wide variety of environmental groups seemed aghast at the severity of the situation.

Title slide

This Basin Management Action Plan (BMAP) for the Lower and Middle Suwannee River Basin turns out to include the Withlacoochee River almost to the Georgia line, because Continue reading →

Morgan Murray, Collier County Waterkeeper Harrison Langley, WWALS Science Committee Chair Tom Potter, Suwannee Riverkeeper John S. Quarterman

Update 2017-10-04: Pictures from all four days of Wanee.

At Wanee
Morgan Murray, Collier County Waterkeeper Harrison Langley, WWALS Science Committee Chair Tom Potter, Suwannee Riverkeeper John S. Quarterman

We’ll be at Wanee through Saturday.

 -jsq, John S. Quarterman, Suwannee RIVERKEEPER®

You can join this fun and work by becoming a WWALS member today!

Court suggests FERC is derelict of duty about pipelines including Sabal Trail

Two judges accused FERC of not doing its duty. At stake: shutting down Sabal Trail, and maybe reforming FERC, in oral arguments today on Sierra Club, Flint Riverkeeper, and Chattachoochee Riverkeeper v. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Case No. 16-1329 in the U.S. DC Court of Appeals.

Lena Moffit, Sierra Club Florida News, 18 April 2017, Sierra Club attorneys argue against Sabal Trail gas pipeline at DC Circuit Court of Appeals,

Judge [Judith W.] Rogers said at one point to the FERC lawyer, regarding their need to assess the full climate impacts of the project, “So, FERC just doesn’t have to do it’s duty because it thinks someone else will?”

Ellen M. Gilmer, E&E News, 18 April 2017, Judge slams FERC’s climate review,

[Judge Thomas B.] Griffith also appeared skeptical of FERC’s position, asking Continue reading →

Ask FL Sen. Nelson to oppose Sabal Trail 2017-04-18-21

When: 9AM-5PM April 18-21, 2017

Where: Call Florida Sen. Nelson’s offices

Event: facebook

Why: Because Sabal Trail’s fracked methane pipeline is unneeded, by FPL’s own admission, and destructive and hazardous. It’s time to get on with solar power for the Sunshine State.

NelsonSabalCalls

Statewide Week of Action: Continue reading →