60-day extension to comment about Sabal Trail pipeline to Army Corps of Engineers

Until December 11, 2015, you can still complain to USACE and GA-EDP about Sabal Trail’s proposed fracked methane pipeline under the Withlacoochee and Suwannee Rivers, Okapilco Creek, and other rivers and streams in Georgia, Florida, and Alabama.

Until 11 Dec 2015 See the new Joint Public Notice datestamped October 09 2015, and the previous public notice to which it refers.

Don’t forget WWALS v. Sabal Trail & DEP in Jasper, Florida starting Monday 19 October 2015. More on the WWALS website.

-jsq

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

Continue reading →

Come to the hearing, WWALS v. Sabal Trail & FL-DEP, Jasper, FL 2015-10-19

We aim to win through evidence and argument! If we can stop either the Environmental Resource Permit (ERP) or the Easement to Use Sovereign Submerged Lands (Easement) that the Florida Department of Environmental Resources (DEP) intends to issue for Sabal Trail, there may be no pipeline.

Witnesses can still come forward to testify for the Suwannee or other Rivers, the Florida Aquifer, or their own land, water, and air against Sabal Trail. WWALS invites the public to attend; This is a court of law, so please be polite, and silent while proceedings are in progress.

Here’s some background on the case. Below is Judge Canter’s order of this morning about place, date, and time (PDF): Continue reading →

Gas pipeline route called ‘insanity’ –Jasper News 2015-10-08

No minced words on the front page of Hamilton County, Florida’s daily newspaper: “Insanity”! Front page The online title was more sedate, but the story accurately recorded some of the polite outrage of the citizens who spoke to FERC against the invading Sabal Trail fracked methane pipeline. Among them were at least five WWALS members and many members of Our Santa Fe River.

Amber Vann, Suwannee Democrat, 7 October 2015, Locals speak out against gas pipeline,

One man, Rocky Stewart, explained Continue reading →

Grand Bay Hike: WWALS Outing 2015-12-12

Cypress, herons, alligators, pitcher plants, and more in a mini-Okefenokee between Valdosta and Lakeland: Grand Bay Wildlife Management Area! No boats required; this is a hiking expedition.

When: 10AM Saturday December 12, 2015

What: Aprox. 1.5 hr hike then lunch (not provided)

Responsible party: Continue reading →

Tannin Times, September 2015

The newsletter now has a name: Tannin Times. WWALS booth: Gretchen and a student WWALS members have already received the October Tannin Times. Meanwhile, here’s last month’s newsletter, in PDF and below in web format. -jsq

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

September 2015 Tannin Times

WWALS Working Hard for Your Watershed

Sabal Trail plans to drill under the Withlacoochee River in Georgia and the Suwannee and Santa Fe Rivers in Florida. On July 16th the Florida Department of Environmental Protection published their intent to issue an Environmental Resource Permit to Sabal Trail Transmission, LLC to construct and operate a 36-inch diameter natural gas pipeline in Florida. WWALS responded by Continue reading →

Sinkholes, toxins, and terrorism are not insignificant: WWALS members to FERC in Valdosta 2015-09-30

The Valdosta newspaper wrote about two, and two more WWALS members also spoke to FERC in Valdosta last Wednesday.

Joe Adgie, Valdosta Daily Times, 2 October 2015, REgulators hear from Valdosta about Sabal Trail,

Deborah Johnson of Suwannee County, Fla., spoke of the safety record of Spectra Energy, the parent company of Sabal Trail.

“Spectra Energy has what is considered one of the worst Continue reading →

Sabal Trail says FL Gov. Scott’s stake in pipeline project is ‘irrelevant’

Is Florida blind to pipelines?

Dan Christensen, Miami Herald, 2 October 2015, Firm says Gov. Scott’s stake in pipeline project is ‘irrelevant’,:
Environmental groups seek to block $3 billion project
Coalition seeks all correspondences from Scott, his office
Staff says governor’s blind trust shields him from conflict

Lawyers for a company that wants to build a natural gas pipeline in North Florida have told a judge that Continue reading →

Florida Audubon goes full NIMBY

Apparently cow pastures and the Suwannee and Santa Fe Rivers are no concern of Florida Audubon, nor even the other Withlacoochee (south) River that runs out of the Green Swamp, not to mention WWALS’ Withlacoochee (north) River in Georgia.

Susan Salisbury, Palm Beach Post, 5 October 2015, Audubon Florida supports Sabal Trail natural gas pipeline,

Following changes to the proposed route of a massive pipeline, Audubon Florida now strongly supports Sabal Trail, a $3.5 billion natural gas pipeline project slated to extend from Alabama to Florida.

Charles Lee, Audubon Florida’s director of advocacy, said that the group has worked with Sabal Trail on route modification and environmental mitigation measures for portions of its 515-mile pipeline in Florida.

Well, that explains why Charles Lee said Florida Audubon would not help with WWALS v. Sabal Trail & FL-DEP.

Lee said Audubon Florida negotiated with Sabal Trail for 18 months, resulting in Continue reading →

Suwannee River from CR 6 to Cone Bridge, WWALS Outing 2015-11-22

Convenient to Lake City, Live Oak, and Jasper, not to mention Fargo, Statenville, Lakeland, and Valdosta, it’s a half-day paddle down the iconic Suwannee River in the cool of November.

CR 6 to Cone Bridge Boat Ramp When: 9AM Sunday November 22nd 2015 Continue reading →