Author Archives: jsq

Agenda: WWALS Quarterly Board Meeting 2025-10-12

Here is the draft agenda and the zoom parameters for the WWALS Quarterly Board meeting Sunday evening, October 12, 2025.

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89308028204?pwd=VmwyMzVTMVR6WGJxbUFUSlFXWFRWQT09

WWALS Quarterly Board Meeting

When: 6:30 PM, Sunday, October 12, 2025

What: The usual board business.

Event: https://www.facebook.com/events/1737521980245805/

[Agenda: WWALS, Quarterly Board Meeting , Online by zoom, 6-8 PM, Sunday, October 12, 2025]
Agenda: WWALS, Quarterly Board Meeting , Online by zoom, 6-8 PM, Sunday, October 12, 2025

Here is the agenda (see also PDF). Continue reading

Full Beaver Moon Paddle, Banks Lake 2025-11-05

Join us for a leisurely Sunset and Full Moon Paddla on our mini-Okefenokee just west of Lakeland, Georgia. Watch the sun set, the moon rise, and there may be bats.

This Outing is honoring Veterans, who get free entry.

When: Gather 4:45 PM, launch 5:15 PM, moonrise 5:39 PM, sunset 5:41 PM, end 6:45 PM, Wednesday, November 5, 2025

Put In: Banks Lake Boat Ramp, 307 Georgia 122, Lakeland, GA 31635, in Lanier County, on the Alapaha River Water Trail (ARWT).

GPS: 31.034824, -83.096725

[Full Beaver Moon Paddle, Banks Lake 2025-11-05, Sunset, Moonrise, and maybe bats]
Full Beaver Moon Paddle, Banks Lake 2025-11-05, Sunset, Moonrise, and maybe bats

Continue reading

Pictures: Lower Ichetucknee River Springs Protection Zone @ Suwannee BOCC 2025-10-07

The Suwannee Board of County Commissioners agreed to support the Lower Ichetucknee River Springs Protection Zone. Specifically, they support the no wake zone. They expressed no opinion on the personal watercraft ban.

That was yesterday, Tuesday, October 7, 2025.

[Suwannee County is for the Lower Ichetucknee River Springs Protection Zone, October 7, 2025]
Suwannee County is for the Lower Ichetucknee River Springs Protection Zone, October 7, 2025

You can also write to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FFWC), using this handy form:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScYFArSQsstOauhRVYTCMoikXYIo0i_gDmkuDlbTC-7OSsgQQ/viewform?usp=sharing&ouid=114012348461689332646

Or you can write to:

Captain Rachel Bryant <Rachel.bryant@myfwc.com>
Major Bill Holcomb <William.holcomb@myfwc.com>
Rob Klepper <Robert.klepper@myfwc.com>

Before a dozen people spoke for the zone, and none against, Parks & Recreation Director Alden Rosner presented the FFWC request for input as item 14 in the Suwannee County Commission agenda, which took up pages 88-130 of the board packet. Here’s who was who up front. Continue reading

Public Hearing, Bradford Road subdivision @ Berrien Planning Commission 2025-10-16

After it was tabled a second time, there’s yet another Public Hearing about plopping ten houses in the middle of an agriculture character area, with runoff and recharge issues that affect the neighbors, Gin Branch Creek, the Withlacoochee River, and groundwater down to the Floridan Aquifer. As well as all the usual issues of trespassing, poaching, pets, livestock, traffic, and road erosion.

Plus transparency and the Berrien Planning Commission should follow the Berrien County Code and Comprehensive Plan.

The farther out from existing services, the more a subdivision costs the county in calls on Sheriff Deputies, Fire Rescue, school buses and places at the schools. Property taxes on those houses would not pay for all that. The rest of Berrien County would have to pay the difference.

[Public Hearing, Bradford Road subdivision @ Berrien Planning Commission, Thursday, October 16, 2025]
Public Hearing, Bradford Road subdivision @ Berrien Planning Commission, Thursday, October 16, 2025

For what happened at the previous Public Hearing and why it was tabled, see previous post:
https://wwals.net/?p=68463

Here’s a facebook event to encourage people to come to this Public Hearing:
https://www.facebook.com/events/1476163917000214/

This is what the Public Notices on the roads say:

PUBLIC NOTICE

Public Hearing:

Cole Livingston, Subdividing multiple lots off the Old Valdosta Hwy, Bradford Rd and Strawder Rd
Ray City, Ga 31645

Time: 5:30 October 16, 2025 Planning Commission Meeting
6:00 pm November 4, 2025 County Commissioners Meeting

Public Hearing

Location: Planning Commission 201 N. Davis Street Nashville GA
County Commissioner’s Board Room 201 North Davis Street Nashville Ga 31639 Continue reading

Lower Ichetucknee River Springs Protection Zone @ Suwannee BOCC 2025-10-07

Update 2025-10-08: The Commissioners agreed to support the no wake zone. Pictures: Lower Ichetucknee River Springs Protection Zone @ Suwannee BOCC 2025-10-07.

Come on down to Live Oak to speak or be seen in support of the Lower Ichetucknee River Springs Protection Zone.

That’s 5:30 PM today, Tuesday, October 7, 2025
at the Judicial Annex Building, 218 Parshley Street Southwest, Live Oak, Florida 32064

It’s item 14 the Suwannee County Commission agenda, and it takes up pages 88-130 of the board packet.

Florida Parks “does not oppose,” and FFWC Research and SRWMD recommend more study.

Suwannee County could support more study, or it could say the evidence is already convincing enough.

[Lower Ichetucknee River Springs Protection Zone @ Suwannee BOCC, Tuesday, October 7, 2025]
Lower Ichetucknee River Springs Protection Zone @ Suwannee BOCC, Tuesday, October 7, 2025

Linda Dicker says:

The petition will be presented by Mr. Alden Rosner, Parks & Recreation Director for Suwannee County. I will not be permitted to present the petition and will be in attendance only to address any questions the commission may have.

It is critical that our community express their support of this petition and let the county commission know that we are passionate about preserving the Ichetucknee. Please plan to arrive at least 15 minutes before the meeting starts to sign in for public comments.

You can also write to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FFWC), using this handy form:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScYFArSQsstOauhRVYTCMoikXYIo0i_gDmkuDlbTC-7OSsgQQ/viewform?usp=sharing&ouid=114012348461689332646

Or you can write to:

Captain Rachel Bryant <Rachel.bryant@myfwc.com>
Major Bill Holcomb <William.holcomb@myfwc.com>
Rob Klepper <Robert.klepper@myfwc.com>

What FFWC says it wants from Suwannee County is: Continue reading

Saylor Dollar, Tallahassee, FL, a Bluegrass song, Suwannee 2025-09-06

The two judges awarded Saylor Dollar Best Song from Outside the Suwannee River Basin. In addition to a plaque, the organizing committee chair Sara Squires Jones handed them a $50 check.

Thanks to Dale Dollar and Lisa Saylor Dollar of Tallahassee, Florida, for writing the song, and to Saylor Dollar for playing it, at the Suwannee Riverkeeper Songwriting Contest 2025.
https://wwals.net/pictures/songwriting2025

About Saylor Dollar:

Saylor Dollar is a husband-and-wife duo hailing from Tallahassee, Florida, comprised of lifelong musicians Lisa and Dale Dollar. They are known for their original songs and eclectic Americana sound infused with elements of bluegrass, folk, and blues.

Lisa Dollar, a music teacher by profession, boasts a degree in music education and has performed with professional orchestras and as a freelance violinist. Dale Dollar, a guitarist, also studied guitar at Florida State University, has taught private guitar lessons, and played in local bands for many years.

Their music has been praised for its “pristine production, extraordinary writing and performing,” according to indiestrong.com. Reviewers have praised their “sassy angelic vocals, flawless guitar chops, and fiddle that hits right on the mark.” Saylor Dollar’s original songs are noted for their introspective and poetic lyricism, drawing inspiration from Appalachian storytelling and love. Their song catalog is available on all streaming platforms.

Dale on guitar and Lisa on fiddle were assisted by Bradley Waldron on bass.

[Saylor Dollar, Tallahassee, FL, a Bluegrass song, Suwannee, Suwannee Riverkeeper Songwriting Contest, September 6, 2025]
Saylor Dollar, Tallahassee, FL, a Bluegrass song, Suwannee, Suwannee Riverkeeper Songwriting Contest, September 6, 2025

Our song, Suwannee, was inspired when we spent time along the Suwannee River during our first visit to perform at the Florida Folk Festival this year. We loved the beauty of the river and wanted to learn more about its history. We read about the Timucuan legend that said the Moon of the Suwannee infused the earth with all the colors of the rainbow; then the Sun drew out the colors by putting them into flowers that bloomed along the Suwannee. We used that in the first verse of the song. We were intrigued by the meaning of the name “Suwannee”. We used some of the possible origins of the name: “Echo River” and “Crooked Black Water” in the lyrics of the song. We also learned that the Suwannee is a rare wild and free-flowing river, so we made sure to write that in the chorus of the song. Dale and Lisa played all the instruments on the recording of their song, Suwannee. Dale played guitar and banjo; and in addition to singing, Lisa played fiddle and string bass.

Here’s Saylor Dollar singing their song:
https://youtu.be/LIu8nLROvEE?si=8IPMOd8wQY5NKrU- Continue reading

Clean Withlacoochee, Alapaha, Santa Fe, and Suwannee Rivers 2025-10-02

WWALS testers found the Alapaha, Suwannee, and Santa Fe Rivers clean within the past seven days, and the Withlacoochee River clean upstream and downstream.

But according to Valdosta Utilities Sugar Creek was again filthy, and the Withlacoochee had too much E. coli downstream of Sugar Creek at GA 133. And One Mile Branch was above the 410 one-time-test limit at Wainwright Drive, but not downstream at West Gordon Street. There hasn’t been much rain. Are there still one or more undiscovered sewage leaks in the City of Valdosta?

No new sewage spills have been reported in the past week in the Suwannee River Basin in Georgia or Florida.

Storms are predicted this weekend, but mostly in the afternoon.

I’d avoid Sugar Creek and the Withlacoochee River near it, But if you can beat the rain, happy paddling, boating, swimming, and fishing this weekend.

This image is an overview. Scroll down for the details.

[Clean Alapaha, Santa Fe, and Suwannee Rivers, Clean Withlacoochee up and down, Filthy Sugar Creek 2025-10-02]
Clean Alapaha, Santa Fe, and Suwannee Rivers, Clean Withlacoochee up and down, Filthy Sugar Creek 2025-10-02

Follow this link for the WWALS composite spreadsheet of water quality results, rainfall, and sewage spills in the Suwannee River Basin in Georgia and Florida:
https://wwals.net/issues/testing/#results

The image below is a current excerpt from that spreadsheet. Continue reading

Florida Men Canoe Entire 240-Mile Suwannee River in 48 Hours 2025-10-02

Received yesterday.

Florida Men Complete Nonstop 242-Mile Paddle of the Suwannee River in 2.5 to Spotlight Wild Florida

SUWANNEE RIVER, FL — In an inspiring demonstration of endurance and purpose, six Florida men, Mason Gravley, Jordon Wolfram, Zach Franco, Bo Meyering, Robin Beemer, Daniel Weber successfully canoed the entire Suwannee River, over 242 miles, in just 2.5 days. Launching from the headwaters in Georgia’s Okefenokee Swamp at daybreak on 9/26 and finishing in the Gulf at Suwannee, FL on 9/28, World Rivers Day, the group completed the nonstop journey to raise awareness for the urgent protection of this area of the Florida Wildlife Corridor, and the connection of water and land between Georgia and Florida.

[Florida Men Canoe Entire 240-Mile Suwannee River in 48 Hours, 2025-09-26-28]
Florida Men Canoe Entire 240-Mile Suwannee River in 48 Hours, 2025-09-26-28

The expedition, which began at daybreak from Stephen Foster State Park in Georgia on Friday, September 26th and concluded after sunset on Sunday, September 28th, combined grueling physical effort with a message rooted in conservation. Two of the paddlers work for Florida conservation groups. Franco, the Conservation Partnership Coordinator at Archbold Biological Station in Lake Placid; Gravley, the Impact Campaigns Manager at the Florida Wildlife Corridor Foundation in St. Pete.

“This wasn’t just an adventure, it was Continue reading

Senate Study Committee on Making Georgia the No. 1 State for Tourism meeting in Valdosta 2025-10-15

Update 2025-10-03: Clarification:
This event is primarily for the invited people in the tourism industry.
Please note the breakfast has only enough for the invitees.
You can also watch the speakers in the livestream, so you don’t have to come to see what they say.

Suwannee Riverkeeper is supposed to speak for five minutes to a Georgia Senate Study Committee on Making Georgia the No. 1 State for Tourism.

Suwannee Riverkeeper is supposed to speak for five minutes to a Georgia Senate Study Committee on Making Georgia the No. 1 State for Tourism.

That will be at 9 AM, Wednesday, October 15, 2025,
at the Rainwater Conference Center, 1 Meeting Place Valdosta GA 31601-7710.
That’s between I-75 Exits 16 and 18.

[Senate Study Committee on Making Georgia the No. 1 State for Tourism, Rainwater Conference Center, Valdosta, GA, 2025-10-15]
Senate Study Committee on Making Georgia the No. 1 State for Tourism, Rainwater Conference Center, Valdosta, GA, 2025-10-15

There doesn’t seem to be any facebook event by the state, county, or city, so here’s one by WWALS:
https://www.facebook.com/events/796397306306784/

I’m listed under Arts & Education Tourism, so I might as well mention the WWALS River Revue and Suwannee Riverkeeper Songwriting Contest, as well as the education component of the future Troupville Nature Park and River Camp.

This committee was completed by Senate Resolution 323, which includes:

WHEREAS, Georgia has beautiful vistas and natural resources meant to be seen and savored, including mountains, canyons, waterfalls, lakes, rivers, and beaches; and

Well, let’s talk about the Mayor and Chairman’s Paddle and the Alapahoochee River chainsaw cleanup with the surprise dead gator. Plus the Banks Lake Full Moon paddles, and the Suwannee River and Okefenokee Swamp campouts and paddles in November and December.

Also: Continue reading

Bear and Robert of Jacksonville, FL with a folk song, Suwannee River in White Springs 2025-09-06

Bear and Robert sang a song about the Florida Folk Festival, which is held is held at Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park in White Springs, Florida, on Memorial Day, when flags fly.

They wrote for the Suwannee Riverkeeper Songwriting Contest:
https://wwals.net/pictures/songwriting2025

What do you get when you cross a Folkie with a Bluesman? You get Bear and Robert! Bear and Robert (row-bear) are Cindy Bear and Franc Robert, an award winning singer-songwriter duo from Jacksonville, FL. Together their acoustic sound has been described as a deep well of Folk, Blues, and Americana with a high energy Je Nais Se Quois! Their CD’s, “Travels With Bear and Robert,” and “Hearts in Blues,” Franc’s solo and band CD’s, and Cindy’s solo CD “Start Over Again” are available on iTunes, Amazon, Spotify, and on their website at https://www.bearandrobert.com

[Bear and Robert, Jacksonville, FL, with a folk song 2025-09-06, Suwannee River in White Springs, Suwannee Riverkeeper Songwriting Contest]
Bear and Robert, Jacksonville, FL, with a folk song 2025-09-06, Suwannee River in White Springs, Suwannee Riverkeeper Songwriting Contest

They say about their song, “This is a soulful and evocative folk hymn written to transport listeners on a poetic journey to a sacred haven on the banks of the Suwannee River, which is full of cherished memories, and reminiscent of a church.”

Here are Bear and Robert of Jacksonville, Florida, singing their song:
https://youtu.be/_XAxtI3uB1s Continue reading