Update 2024-11-22: Cleaner Withlacoochee River 2024-11-21.
We have asked for their Friday and Monday results, and we will post them when we get them.
![[Madison Health Lifts Withlacoochee River Health Advisory 2024-10-20]](https://www.wwals.net/pictures/2024-11-20--madison-doh-lifts-advisory/igmany.jpg)
Madison Health Lifts Withlacoochee River Health Advisory 2024-10-20
November 20, 2024
…
Madison, Fla.— The Florida Department of Health in Madison County (DOH-Madison) is lifting the advisory for high bacterial levels in the Withlacoochee River.
Tests completed on Continue reading
Update 2024-11-14: Bad Withlacoochee River, Sugar Creek, One Mile Branch and Alapaha River 2024-11-13.
I don’t know why it took them a week to do this.
November 13, 2024
Florida
HEALTH
Contact:
Lisa Hayes
Lisa.Hayes@flhealth.gov
850-879-0683
Madison, Fla.— The Florida Department of Health in Madison County (DOH-Madison) has issued a health advisory to residents and visitors near the Withlacoochee River in North Florida due to a wastewater overflow in the City of Valdosta, Georgia, that resulted in E.coli levels exceeding the 235 MPN/100ml threshold. It is recommended that residents and visitors avoid coming in contact with the impacted water, such as swimming or fishing.
DOH-Madison, Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), and Suwannee River Water Management District are working together to assess and closely monitor the situation. As these assessments continue, we will provide updates to the public.
DOH plans to conduct sampling and testing this week along the Withlacoochee River.
Until further information is known regarding possible bacterial contamination of the river, residents and visitors in the area are urged to take precautions when in contact with the Withlacoochee River.
Water contaminated with elevated fecal bacteria presents several health risks to humans. Microbes normally found with fecal bacteria could cause gastrointestinal issues and other conditions.
Anyone who comes in contact with the river water should wash thoroughly, especially before eating or drinking. Children and older adults, as well as people with weakened immune systems, are particularly vulnerable to disease, so every precaution should be taken if in contact with the river water.
For more information about the potential health effects of wastewater overflow, contact DOH- Madison at 850-973-5000 or visit Madison.FloridaHealth.gov.
### Continue reading
A judge today quashed the Special Exception the Levy County BOCC approved for the 3RT Sand Mine.
Craig C. DeThomasis, Florida Eight Judicial Circuit Court Judge, ruled that the county failed several ways to provide notices required by law for hearings and appeal requirements, and failed to do at least two kinds of required studies: traffic and wildlife.
This does not mean it’s all over. It does mean the applicant has to start the whole process over, and this time the county has to follow state law and its own procedures. Meanwhile, the opposition is still organized and ready.
The judge did not consider that the mine is in the springshed of Rainbow Springs nor that SWFWMD in issuing an ERP did not consider its own Rainbow Springs BMAP.
The judge noted: Continue reading
Update 2024-08-02: Three more Ashburn sewage spills reported more than a week late 2024-07-20.
Update 2024-07-26: Clean Withlacoochee, Alapaha, Santa Fe Rivers 2024-07-25.
Thanks to the reporter for doing this story, especially for including the material about the stigma of sewage spills, which affects even Suwannee Basin rivers that are not even downstream from Valdosta, and about the economic damage of such stigma.
Please note that while Valdosta is the biggest sewage spill problem, because it is the most populous city in the Suwannee River Basin, it is far from the only city that spills sewage, and not all E. coli contamination comes from sewage; see other sources.
As noted in the story, Valdosta is spending millions of dollars to fix its sewage problems. Nobody will be happier when there are no more sewage spills than Valdosta staff and elected officials, many of whom are new since most of the notorious sewage spills happened. But that day is still some time in the future.
I’ve noted a few errata below, plus I’ve added some links and some more images.
Rylan DiGiacomo-Rapp, WUFT, July 23, 2024, North Central Florida river task force reactivated following raw sewage spills across Georgia state lines, Continue reading
Update 2024-04-18: Dirty creeks, but clean rivers 2024-04-17.
Update 2024-04-18: Updates on Homerville, Quitman, Tifton, and Valdosta in GA-EPD Sewage Spills Report 2024-04-11.
It’s been a long time since the last Health Advisory from the Madison County, Florida, Health Department.
But Valdosta took the risk of guessing how big to make its sewage catch basin, and found out last weekend it was too small.
WWALS has already been testing the waters. Results soon.
And now FDEP and SRWMD are joining in with Madison DOH.
Received this afternoon.
DOH-MADISON ISSUES HEALTH ADVISORY NEAR WITHLACOOCHEE RIVER
Contact:
Lisa Hayes
Lisa. Hayes@flhealth.gov
850-879-0683Madison, Fla.— The Florida Department of Health in Madison County (DOH-Madison) has issued a health advisory to residents and visitors near the Withlacoochee River in North Florida due to a wastewater overflow in the City of Valdosta, Georgia, from a recent weather event with excessive rain amounts. Drinking water is not affected by this advisory.
Continue reading
Thank you, Nashville, Georgia, Mayor and Council, for passing a resolution supporting the Okefenokee Swamp against the proposed strip mine.
![[City of Nashville Resolution and Okefenokee NWR sign]](https://www.wwals.net/pictures/2024-01-08--nashville-ga-okefenokee-resolution/igmany.jpg)
City of Nashville Resolution and Okefenokee NWR sign
For the increasing number of these resolutions, see:
https://wwals.net/?p=57248
Please ask your Georgia statehouse members to pass HB 71. Floridians, ask your friends and relatives in Georgia to do that. And ask your city or county in Florida to also pass a resolution.
For more about this issue, see:
https://wwals.net/issues/titanium-mining/
Update 2024-01-16: SWFWMD ERP 43046299.000 for 3RT Sand Mine, Levy County, FL 2023-04-19.
According to local citizens and WCJB 20 ABC TV, yesterday the Levy County Commission failed to decide on the proposed special exception, even though the meeting went on for more than six hours.
![[Levy County Commission failed to decide if sand mine trucks could head for cows]](https://www.wwals.net/pictures/2023-12-05--levy-county-3rt-sand-mine/many.jpg)
Levy County Commission failed to decide if sand mine trucks could head for cows
This is about the proposed Special Exception for the 3RT Sand Mine.
Next it will be back at the Levy County Board of County Commissioners, 9 AM, Tuesday, February 6, 2024, in the Levy County Government Center Auditorium, 310 School Street, Bronson, FL 32621.
Meanwhile, you can still Continue reading
Update 2024-01-15: Meeting: Outstanding Florida Springs Basin Management Plans 2024-01-23.
It’s back: the proposed Special Exception for the 3RT Sand Mine.
This time it will be at the Levy County Board of County Commissioners, 9 AM, Tuesday, December 5, 2023, in the Levy County Government Center Auditorium, 310 School Street, Bronson, FL 32621.
![[Cows, mining trucks, and Public Notice]](https://www.wwals.net/pictures/2023-12-05--levy-bocc-3rt-sandmine/many.jpg)
Cows, mining trucks, and Public Notice
Meanwhile, you can still sign on to this change.org opposition petition by Kim Wheeler:
https://www.change.org/p/no-special-exceptions-for-mining-in-rural-neighborhoods
And you can send written comments up to five days before the Public Hearing; see below.
The mine site is still in the springshed of Rainbow Springs.
You may not think that these are enough: 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
![[DOH-Madison Health Advisory Near Withlacoochee River 2024-11-13 due to a wastewater overflow in the City of Valdosta, Georgia]](https://www.wwals.net/pictures/2024-11-13--doh-madison-health-advisory/many.jpg)
![[Florida Judge Quashes 2024-09-18 Levy County 3RT Sand Mine: Lack of Public Notices & Lack of required studies]](https://www.wwals.net/pictures/2024-09-18--levy-county-sand-mine-exception-struck-down-by-court/many.jpg)
![[Downstream dozen Florida counties task force reactivated after raw sewage spills across Georgia state line --WUFT 2024-07-23]](https://www.wwals.net/pictures/2024-07-23--wuft-pbs-task-force/many.jpg)
![[Valdosta sewage spill gets Madison Health Advisory 2024-04-17; 1.67 million gallons into Withlacoochee River 2024-04-12]](https://www.wwals.net/pictures/2024-04-17--madison-boh/many.jpg)
![[Mining trucks and cows]](https://www.wwals.net/pictures/2023-08-11--levy-county-sand-mine-petition/many.jpg)
