News Stories about WWALS 2024.
For the rest see News.

• 2024-08-27: Valdosta Today, August 27, 2024 Five finalist named for Suwannee Riverkeeper Songwriting Contest,

  HAHIRA – Five finalists have been selected to play at the Finals of the Suwannee Riverkeeper Songwriting Contest at the Turner Center.

  For the rest, see WWALS PR.

• 2024-08-13: Valdosta Today, August 13, 2024, Suwannee Riverkeeper Songwriting Contest entries deadline extended,

  HAHIRA — WWALS River Revue extends the entry deadline for the Suwannee Riverkeeper Songwriting Contest.

  For the rest, see WWALS PR.

• 2024-07-30: Valdosta Today, July 30, 2024, Suwannee Riverkeeper Songwriting Contest deadline extended,

  HAHIRA — The Suwannee Riverkeeper Songwriting Contest has extend the entry form deadline for two more weeks.,

  For the rest, see WWALS PR.

• 2024-07-26: WWALS to host webinar on Georgia bats in Banks Lake, Douglas,

  
  Photo: Emily Ferrall, a Wildlife Biologist, in the Wildlife Resources Division of the Wildlife Conservation Section of the Georgia Environmental Protection Division (GA-EPD) of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources (GA-DNR)

  HAHIRA – WWALS will host a webinar with a Wildlife Biologist from the state to give an overview on the bats of Georgia.

  Release:

  See WWALS PR.

• 2024-07-23: Rylan DiGiacomo-Rapp, WUFT, July 23, 2024, North Central Florida river task force reactivated following raw sewage spills across Georgia state lines, (see WWALS blog post)

  The Sante[Santa] Fe River was familiar with Joanne Tremblay, with their morning routine, lying still as she waded calf-deep to collect a sample of its water.

  It was a warm shade of tangerine….

  
  Downstream dozen Florida counties task force reactivated after raw sewage spills across Georgia state line –WUFT 2024-07-23

• 2024-06-03: Amber Nolan, Greenmatters, June 3, 2024, A Georgia City Has Spilled Millions of Gallons of Raw Sewage Into 2 Pristine Rivers: And the city is hardly doing anything to clean up its mess. (WWALS blog post)

  …

  In April 2024, the City of Valdosta issued a press release stating that 6.7 million gallons of sewage had spilled into the Withlacoochee River, which merges into the Suwannee River in north Florida. An estimated 1.34 million gallons of the spill was raw sewage, with the Spring Branch testing positive for seven times the alert limit for E. coli,per WWALS Watershed Coalition, a nonprofit that monitors water quality.

  
  Spring Branch 2024-04-14

  Testing results also showed an elevated presence of fecal matter along certain sites on the Withlacoochee River. Although the wastewater plant has two equalization basins designed to help prevent overflows during inclement weather, the system overloaded when about 6 to 8 inches of rain fell within four hours.

  According to WWALS Watershed Coalition, Inc., the City of Valdosta acknowledged that it was made aware of the spill on April 12; however, the city did not inform the public until April 15. Meanwhile, Madison County, Fla. issued a health advisory for residents who might have come in immediate contact with the Withlacoochee River, due to the potential threat of fecal matter.

  …

• 2024-03-19: Valdosta Today, March 19, 2024, Okefenokee Swamp resolution reached against strip mine,

  ATKINSON, CO. – The Atkinson County Commissioners recently passed a unanimous resolution for the Okefenokee Swamp against the strip mine.

  See WWALS PR for details.

• 2024-01-29: WALB TV, January 29, 2024, Mayor of Valdosta and Chairman of Lowndes County invite you to paddle the Withlacoochee River (see also WWALS PR),

  
  The cost of the outing is $30 per boat as a fundraising opportunity for (WWALS), but elected officials from Florida and Georgia have free entry.(Phil Hubbard | WWALS Watershed Coalition)

  VALDOSTA, Ga. (WALB) – Mayor Scott James Matheson and Chairman Bill Slaughter are inviting the community to join them on leisure paddle down the Withlacoochee River on Saturday, Mar. 2nd.

  According to the WWALS Watershed Coalition, Inc. (WWALS), guests should have the usual personal flotation device, boat, paddles, food, drinking water, warm clothes, and first aid kit. Trash pickers and trash bags are asked for as well because every WWALS outing is also a cleanup.

  With Phil Hubbard leading, the group will paddle along the west side of the most populous city in the Suwannee River Basin and the side of future Troupville River Camp and Nature Park.

  A seven mile trip is planned as part of a new route this year. Guests are instructed to arrive at Langdale Park, drop off their boats, and drive to Troupville Boat Ramp. Shuttle from there back to Langdale Park. A one 15-seat van provided by the Boys & Girls Club will shuttle guests back to Troupville.

  “The annual paddle event provides a unique opportunity for residents to come together and explore the natural beauties of Lowndes County, immersing themselves in the serenity of our waterways,” said Bill Slaughter, Chairman of the Lowndes County Board of Commissioners. “We encourage residents of all ages to come out and join us for a fun morning.”

  The cost of the outing is $30 per boat as a fundraising opportunity for (WWALS), but elected officials from Florida and Georgia have free entry.

  “Together, we will showcase the natural beauty of our blackwater rivers and continue to work towards finding the most cost-effective solutions to educate our citizens and eliminate the trash that is littering our creeks and rivers,” said Valdosta Mayor Scott James Matheson.

  Tickers are available online.

• 2024-01-10: Valdosta Today, WWALS River Revue fundraising dinner to feature songwriting contest winner,

  
  Photo: Jane Fallon Returns as Headliner for WWALS River Revue 2024 and Chuck Roberts Returns as M.C.

  HAHIRA — The WWALS River Revue will raise funds with a sit-down dinner featuring the 2023 songwriting contest winner Jane Fallon.

  For the rest, see the WWALS press release.

• 2024-01-04: Craig Pittman, Florida Phoenix, January 4, 2024, Florida observatory may be forced to shut down if county OKs sand mine:
  Neighbors and astronomers join forces to ask Levy County to nix mining proposal
  UF’s Rosemary Hill Observatory in Levy County would be next door to the proposed sand mine (see also WWALS blog followup on SWFWMD ERP permit),

  What makes it even more interesting is where the mine’s runoff would go. According to Suwannee Riverkeeper’s John Quarterman, state maps show that it lies in the springshed of Rainbow Springs. That means any waste that washes off the mining site is likely to wind up in there.

  
  SWFWMD ERP for 3RT Sand Mine does not mention Rainbow Springs springshed