Stir crazy from staying in due to Hurricane Idalia and want to go to a state park?
Many of them are open, but some remain closed, in the Suwannee River Basin in Georgia and Florida.
Or come to the WWALS Banks Lake Morning Paddle 2023-09-04.
![[Georgia and Florida State Parks Closed 2023-09-02]](https://www.wwals.net/pictures/2023-09-02--park-closures/many.jpg)
Georgia and Florida State Parks Closed 2023-09-02
According to Georgia State Parks Weather Alerts – Hurricane Idalia:
Continue reading
Update 2024-05-04: Videos: Chitty Bend East Distributary, Withlacoochee River, 2023-07-15
Seven shoals, one with a boat, Coffee Spring, second magnitude Hardee Spring, and several islands, and Chitty Bend East Distributary, where some of the Withlacoochee River runs into the woods into some swallets: we saw all of those on our Withlacoochee River paddle from Sullivan Launch to Florida Campsites on a fine July day.
The entire paddle was in north Florida, between Madison County on the right (east) bank and Hamilton County on the left (west) bank, starting in Madison County, ending in Hamilton County.
![[Rapids, Spring, Distributary, Withlacoochee River 2023-07-15]](https://www.wwals.net/pictures/2023-07-15--withlacoochee-springs-slough-pictures/many.jpg)
Rapids, Spring, Distributary, Withlacoochee River 2023-07-15
Thanks to Gee Edwards for leading this paddle.
Thanks to Gretchen Quarterman, Karen Lehnart, and Shirley Kokidko for additional pictures.
Pictures are below. Click on any small picture for a bigger one. Latlong links go to the WWALS map of the Withlacoochee and Little River Water Trail (WLRWT).
The pictures are also on facebook.
See also the facebook video, Seven shoals on the WWALS WIthlacoochee River paddle from Sullivan Shoals to Florida Campsites Ramp, 2023-07-15.
For more WWALS outings and events as they are posted, see Continue reading
You may have heard WWALS is having its first-ever sit-down fundraising dinner, Friday, September 22, 2023, at the Turner Center for the Arts in Valdosta, Georgia, including speakers, a silent auction, a kayak raffle, and the Suwannee Riverkeeper Songwriting Contest.
WWALS members who want to distribute flyers can get printable PDFs online here:
https://wwals.net/pictures/songwriting2023/
Or you can get paper copies at two locations this Friday and Monday.
![[Water quality test kit, Suwannee River State Park, Madison Blue Spring]](https://www.wwals.net/pictures/2023-08-25--revue-flyer-pickup/many.jpg)
Water quality test kit, Suwannee River State Park, Madison Blue Spring
Bonus: Monday, August 28, 2023, come to the Greater Lowndes Planning Commission meeting, at 5:30 PM, in the Lowndes County South Health District Administrative Office, 325 West Savannah Avenue, Valdosta, Georgia.
Or call or write and we may be able to deliver.
850-290-2350
wwalswatershed@gmail.com
Oh, and don’t forget to get your tickets and come on down to the WWALS River Revue:
https://www.betterunite.com/WWALS-wwalsriverrevue2023/
Maybe you or your organization want to be a sponsor. Follow the link for the sponsor package.
-jsq, John S. Quarterman, Suwannee RIVERKEEPER®
You can help with clean, swimmable, fishable, drinkable, water in the 10,000-square-mile Suwannee River Basin in Florida and Georgia by becoming a WWALS member today!
https://wwals.net/donations/
According to a 2016 Florida state law, FDEP is supposed to “adopt uniform rules for issuing permits that prevent groundwater withdrawals harmful to the water resources and a uniform definition of the term “harmful to the water resources” to provide water management districts with minimum standards necessary to be consistent with the overall water policy of the state for Outstanding Florida Springs.“
The department’s writeup even says, “The rule is likely to affect consumptive use permitting in the Northwest Florida, Suwannee River, St. Johns River and Southwest Florida water management districts.”
Well, it won’t limit permitting in its current form.
![[Agenda for 2023-08-28 and Madison Blue Spring 2022-06-04]](https://www.wwals.net/pictures/2023-08-28--fdep-springs-workshop/many.jpg)
Agenda for 2023-08-28 and Madison Blue Spring 2022-06-04
The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) is holding a workshop on development of this rule.
You can ask them to actually follow the law and protect our springs.
That’s 11 AM,
Monday, August 28, 2023, at the
Alachua County Headquarters Library,
Meeting Room A,
401 E University Ave,
Gainesville, FL 32601.
Sierra Club Florida has an RSVP form
Here is the agenda: Continue reading
Update 2023-11-07: Sand Mine Special Exception at Levy County Commission 2023-12-05.
Follow this link for the petition:
NO Special Exceptions for Mining in Rural Neighborhoods,
Started August 11, 2023, by Kim Wheeler
Why this petition matters
Currently, Levy County allows major mining in Agricultural/Rural Residential and Forestry/Rural Residential zoned areas of the county by ‘Special Exception’, which is a lengthy and cumbersome process for the county, and a great problem for the rural residents that might be impacted by such mining and the resulting traffic generated. Therefore, we are requesting that the major mining use no longer be allowed in Ag/RR and F/RR areas of the county. Existing mines would be ‘grandfathered’ in, but no new mines allowed. Mines would still be allowed in Industrial zoned areas. There are some 12-15 mines in the county now.
Hazards presented by mining include Continue reading
Update 2023-08-14: Levy county sand mine petition 2023-08-11.
Going for code changes to prohibit mining in relevant zones seems like a good tactic.
![[Letter, Map to Rainbow Springs, Map to Suwannee River]](https://www.wwals.net/pictures/2023-08-07--levy-county-proposed-mining-prohibition/many.jpg)
Letter, Map to Rainbow Springs, Map to Suwannee River
This is a cover letter for a packet of materials sent to the Levy County Commission.
I’m told the packet included the WWALS letter about Levy County 3RT Sand Mine is in Springshed of Rainbow Springs 2023-07-23.
Yaylisis Perera
3991 NE COUNTY ROAD 337
Bronson, FL 32621
yaylisisperera@gmail.com
08/07/2023Levey County Board of County Commissioners
Subject: Serious Impact on Health and Well-being of Our Community Due to Proposed Mine in Residential Area and Prohibition of Mining in Ag/RR and F/RR.
Dear Levy County Board of County Commissioners,
I hope this letter finds you well. I am writing to you as a deeply concerned citizen about the well-being and future of our beloved community. The purpose of this letter is to address an issue of utmost importance directly affecting the health and quality of life of those residing in this residential area.
Undoubtedly, the proposal to establish a mine in our community has caused unease and distress among residents. While economic development is vital for the progress of any locality, we cannot ignore the potentially devastating consequences it could have on the health of our fellow citizens.
Throughout this missive, I aim to Continue reading
Update 2023-08-14: Levy county sand mine petition 2023-08-11.
The Levy County Commission is meeting tomorrow morning, Tuesday, July 25, 2023, at 9 AM. It’s always good to show up and be seen, maybe say a few words, even if your item of interest is not on the agenda. Or contact your Commissioner via telephone or email.
There will be no decision about the 3RT Sand Mine tomorrow. The agenda includes:
16. PUBLIC HEARING: Requesting the Levy County Board of County Commissioners grant the request for continuation by applicant for PETITION NO SE 23-01: Ryan Thomas for 3RT Sand Mine. Requesting a Special Exception for a major mining operation pursuant to Sec. 50-719; Mining and excavation of minerals, or natural resources, and site reclamation of the Levy County Land Development Code to allow a sand mine (no blasting) on approximately 1,100 acres (includes mine property and access to CR 337) of land located in Section 35, Township 12 S, Range 17 E, Levy County Florida. These parcels are located in Agriculture/Rural Residential (A/RR) Land Use and Zoning district. Parcel Number(s) 0359701600, 0359700400, 0359700000, 0359700300, 0360400600, 0360400000, 036040040B, 036040040A, 0360400400, 0360400500, 0360600500, 0360600300, 0360600000, 0359400000, and 0359200000.The applicant has requested a continuation to a date uncertain to evaluate the Planning Commission conditions with his project. This item will be continued.
These appear to be the 22 draft conditions from the Levy County Planning Commission about the proposed Special Exception for the 3RT Sand Mine. See also PDF.
Update 2023-07-24: Draft Conditions from the Planning Commission to the BoCC on SE 23-01 3RT Sand Mine, Levy County, FL 2023-07-20.
Levy County is in the territory of the Suwannee River Water Management District (SRWMD), so I wondered why the Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD) was involved in permitting a sand mine in Levy County.
The only reason I can see is that the mine site is in the springshed of Rainbow Springs, and Rainbow Springs is in Marion County in SWFWMD’s territory.
Which makes it very curious that Rainbow Springs is never mentioned by SWFWMD nor by the Levy County Planning Commission, nor by anybody else represented in the board packet for the July 10th Levy County Planning Commission meeting.
Instead, Levy County staff wrote, “e) Site is not located within one mile corridor (one-half mile on either side) of known geological features with the potential to Impact Manatee Springs or Fanning Springs. Additional study is not recommended to be required.”
Well, maybe not, because the mine site is not in the springshed of Manatee Springs or Fanning Springs.
But according to a Florida state-mandated action plan by a Florida state agency, the mine site is in the springshed of Rainbow Springs.
Sure seems like further study should be required about that.
![[Rainbow Springshed and 3RT Sand Mine]](https://www.wwals.net/pictures/2023-07-21--levy-county-aquifer-recharge-zone/many.jpg)
Rainbow Springshed and 3RT Sand Mine
Maps of Florida Aquifer recharge areas going back to at least 1995 appear to show the mine site in a recharge zone. Continue reading
Thanks to the anonymous tipster.
Notice: 27234319
Notice of Meeting/Workshop Hearing
Department: WATER MANAGEMENT DISTRICTS
Division: Suwannee River Water Management DistrictThe Suwannee River Water Management District announces a public meeting to which all persons are invited.
DATE AND TIME: Friday, June 23, 2023, 10:00 a.m.
PLACE: Webinar
Subject: The meeting can be viewed by webinar to maximize the opportunity for public participation. The webinar is free to attend and can be accessed from a computer, tablet, or smartphone in listen only mode — comments will be received from the online audience during this meeting.
The purpose of the meeting is to conclude the peer review process for the Upper and Middle Suwannee River Minimum Flows and Levels (MFLs). This meeting will allow for the peer reviewers to discuss any revisions to the final draft of the peer review consensus report for these MFLs. Following their discussion, the reviewers will vote to approve the peer review consensus report. These MFLs are specifically for the Upper and Middle Suwannee River segments. The District will continue to work on the MFLs for priority springs along the river based on the District’s MFL priority list schedule.
Continue reading
The Suwannee River Water Management District (SRWMD) Board will decide whether to negotiate to buy Tanner Springs. This is a second magnitude spring on the left (west) bank of the Withlacoochee River a third of a mile downstream from Madison Boat Ramp and two and a third miles downstream from Madison Blue Spring. It is also known as HAM612981.
![[SRWMD Location Map, WWALS Photograph]](https://www.wwals.net/pictures/2023-06-13--srwmd-board/many.jpg)
SRWMD
Location Map,
WWALS Photograph
The 40-acre parcel has a 2023 market value of $86,000 and taxable value of $10,284. It was bought October 31, 2013, for $100 by Lena Faye C. Dixon, who wants to sell it to SRWMD.
GoTo Webinar Link:
https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/3020434738864536413
Public Comment Form Link:
www.MySuwanneeRiver.com/Comments
Open to Public, June 13, 2023, 9:00 a.m., District Headquarters, Live Oak, Florida.
The board packet is on the WWALS website.
There are more images from the board packet below.
Continue reading![[Mining trucks and cows]](https://www.wwals.net/pictures/2023-08-11--levy-county-sand-mine-petition/many.jpg)
![[All 22 draft conditions]](https://www.wwals.net/pictures/2023-07-20--levy-county-sand-mine-conditions/many.jpg)
![[Agenda plus map]](https://www.wwals.net/pictures/2023-06-23--srwmd-suwannee-river-mfl/many.jpg)