The president of Valdosta Disc Golf Association (VDGA) offers in-kind design services and maintenance for Troupville River Camp.
![[Our club members would be an important partner in helping to keep the River Camp park and grounds clean.]](https://www.wwals.net/pictures/2019-10-31--wwals-gosp-troupville-river-camp/Troupville-Disc-Golf-Course-0001.jpg)
Our club members would be an important partner in helping to keep the River Camp park and grounds clean.
PDF
My name is Mark Gaither, the current president of the Valdosta Disc Golf Association (VDGA), and on behalf of the club, I would like to offer our support on the construction of the Troupville River Camp. Valdosta currently has Continue reading
The county of the site of the proposed Troupville River Camp supports the project.
![[Lowndes County’s support for the “Troupville River Camp” project.]](https://www.wwals.net/pictures/2019-10-31--wwals-gosp-troupville-river-camp/Letter-regarding-Troupville-River-Camp-Project-0001.jpg)
Lowndes County’s support for the “Troupville River Camp” project.
PDF
On behalf of the Lowndes County Board of Commissioners, thank you for the opportunity to express Lowndes County’s support for the “Troupville River Camp” project.
Quality of life amenities are an integral component of economic development initiatives. The ability to provide a river park for citizens that could also serve as a destination for others is an amazing opportunity for our community. Further, programs proposed that will continue to protect one of South Georgia/North Florida’s most valuable natural resources should not be overlooked in the consideration of this application.
Lowndes County appreciates and admires the initiative demonstrated by WWALS Watershed Coalition. Those associated with the organization are both knowledgeable with regards to preservation and passionate about their mission.
Thank you again for the opportunity to express Lowndes County’s support of their efforts.
I had requested this letter at the last Lowndes County Commission meeting of 2019. As I mentioned, Chairman Bill Slaughter was already familiar with the site. Continue reading
At the last Lowndes County Commission meeting of 2019,
as Suwannee Riverkeeper,
I complimented Code Enforcement and
asked for support for the Troupville River Camp project.
Video.
A WWALS member had called in a complaint to Lowndes County Code Enforcement back in August, about trash at the bottom of the Flying J parking lot at I-75 Exit 2.. It was a big job, involving removing many truckloads of tires, and completely rebuilding the fence, but it was almost finished when I went by there that same Tuesday morning.
About Troupville River Camp, I summarized the WWALS pre-application to the Georgia Outdoor Stewardship Program (GOSP) for a river camp like those on the Suwannee River, but this one at the Little River Confluence with the Withlacoochee River, just west of Valdosta.
This method of asking had been requested Continue reading
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Hahira, Georgia, December 19, 2019 — Compelled by the severity of Valdosta’s record raw sewage spill and the expenses and stigma incurred nearby and downstream, Suwannee Riverkeeper for WWALS Watershed Coalition has sent a letter requesting ten enforcment actions to the Georgia Environmental Protection Division (GA-EPD). WWALS member Deanna Mericle of Hamilton County, Florida, summed it up: “As a person living downstream on the Withlacoochee River in Florida, I feel shat upon by Valdosta over and over. I cannot drink the water from my well. I worry about the health of the river itself and the animals that live in it and drink from it. We in Florida were patient while Valdosta was improving their wastewater plant, which apparently was not adequate since we still have spills when it rains heavily. But this time it was not a rain event. It was gross negligence. I am out of patience. I believe it is time for legal action.”
The Suwannee Riverkeeper letter notes GA-EPD already has a legal action against Valdosta, a Consent Order. WWALS asks GA-EPD to use its enforcement power to require notification, water quality testing, education, and plans and procedures not only for preventing such spills but also for tracking them as they travel down our creeks and rivers and for remediation of effects on wells and reputation.
![[2019-12-17--WWALS-GA-EPD-Valdosta-sewage-0001]](https://www.wwals.net/pictures/2019-12-17--wwals-ga-epd-valdosta-sewage/2019-12-17--WWALS-GA-EPD-Valdosta-sewage-0001.jpg)
2019-12-17–WWALS-GA-EPD-Valdosta-sewage-0001
“Valdosta says it does what GA-EPD tells it to do, so we’re asking GA-EPD to tell them,” said Suwannee Riverkeeper John S. Quarterman. “Today we’re forwarding the letter to Continue reading
Sent via email and filed online today. See also PDF.
You can still send in your own comment or come to the SRWMD Board meeting tomorrow morning, 9 AM, Tuesday, December 10, 2019.
December 9, 2019
To: Hugh Thomas, Executive Director
Suwannee River Water Management District
9225 Co Rd 49, Live Oak, FL 32060
Hugh.Thomas@srwmd.org
386-362-1001
Cc: Lindsey Garland
Public Communications Coordinator
SRWMD
Lindsey.Garland@srwmd.org
![[Please Deny Seven Springs permit renewal, Ginnie Springs, Santa Fe River]](https://www.wwals.net/pictures/2019-12-09--wwals-srwmd-nestle/2019-12-09--wwals-srwmd-nestle-0001.jpg)
Please Deny Seven Springs permit renewal, Ginnie Springs, Santa Fe River
Re: Please deny and review Nestlé water withdrawal permits
Director Thomas,
Suwannee Riverkeeper for WWALS Watershed Coalition asks the Suwannee River Water Management District (SRWMD) to act for the public good by denying the Seven Springs Water Company permit renewal request at Ginnie Springs on the Santa Fe River, and by reviewing the Nestlé permit for Madison Blue Springs on the Withlacoochee River, among others.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
“We need less fertilizer leaching into our springs and rivers and more water quality monitoring, not more roads gouging through our watersheds,” said Suwannee Riverkeeper John S. Quarterman at the No Roads to Ruin press conference Thursday at the Florida Capitol Rotunda.
He and WWALS Science Committee Chair Tom Potter then visited the offices of FDACS Commissioner Nikki Fried, some state Senators and Representatives, and FDEP Secretary Noah Valenstein, with letters to each of them to follow.
NO BUILD! RURAL TOLL ROADS MUST BE STOPPED
New “No Roads to Ruin” Coalition sends clear message
![[Suwannee Riverkeeper John S. Quarterman beside banner; Mike Roth of OSFR speaking]](https://www.wwals.net/pictures/2019-12-05--no-roads-to-ruin-tlh/20191205_114427.jpg)
Suwannee Riverkeeper John S. Quarterman beside banner; Mike Roth of OSFR speaking
Photo: Tom Potter, WWALS
Tallahassee — A new coalition of fifty-five (55) organizations and businesses, the No Roads to Ruin Coalition (NRTR) announced today a statewide campaign devoted to stopping Senate President Bill Galvano’s unneeded and costly plan for 300 plus miles of new toll roads.
Within sight of Governor Ron DeSantis’ office, Continue reading
Another in a line of solar projects near the Withlacoochee River is being heard right now by the Valdosta-Lowndes County Zoning Board of Appeals.
![[Context]](https://www.wwals.net/pictures/2019-12-03--beltline-energy-solar-project/map.jpg)
Context Map
Source:
WWALS Withlacoochee and Little River Water Trail Map.
You can see the Beltline Energy Solar Project towards the bottom of this map, north of US 84 (labeled US 221), and just east of Spring Branch, which runs northwards by the Kinderlou Subdivision to the Withlacoochee River.
North of this proposed solar project are solar panels Continue reading
Scotti Jay reports:
Nov 4th a paddler noticed the barrel. Took a picture of barrel and label.
I asked his location. He was very accurate. I looked up the label information and was alarmed.
Continue reading
Thanks to the more than two dozen organizations, local, regional, statewide in Florida and Georgia, national, and international, that oppose the titanium mine that would be far too close to the Okefenokee Swamp. The Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge (ONWR) provides boating, birding, fishing, and hunting nearby to the tune of more than $60 million a year and more than 700 jobs, making it the NWR of most economic benefit to each of Georgia and Florida. The Okefenokee Swamp is a unique ecological treasure, and is the headwaters of the Suwannee and St. Marys Rivers. The burden of proof is on the miners, and they have not met it.
![[Organizations For Okefenokee Swamp, Against Titanium Mine]](https://www.wwals.net/pictures/2019-07-12--tpm-usace/For-Okefenokee-Swamp-Against-Titanium-Mine-0001.jpg)
Organizations For Okefenokee Swamp, Against Titanium Mine
PDF
Add your organization here: https://forms.gle/Dyqc77EBsjXBsz93A
You can still file a comment with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. If the Corps actually issues a permit, which they may in the next few weeks, anything filed can be used in any ensuing lawsuit.
Exactly how many organizations oppose that strip mine is hard to say, since Continue reading
You can help oppose Nestlé’s water withdrawals from the Floridan Aquifer, at the next Suwannee River Water Management District (SRWMD) board meeting in Live Oak.
You can sign one of many petitions, such as one by SumOfUs.
Even better, you can come object to that extension. I ask people to come to every SRWMD board meeting, and maybe you can make this one.
Best, you can file a comment with SRWMD.
When:
9:00 AM, Tuesday, December 20 10, 2019
Where: SRWMD Headquarters, 9225 County Road 49, Live Oak, FL 32060-7056
What: SRWMD Board meeting
You can also ask SRWMD to review Nestlé’s withdrawal permit at Madison Blue Spring on the Withlacoochee River.
These are Nestlé’s landholdings next to Madison Blue Spring, according to the Madison County Property Appraiser:
![[Nestle-madison-blue-spring]](https://www.wwals.net/pictures/2019-12-10--srwmd-packet/nestle-madison-blue-spring.jpg)
For comparison, this little bit on the Withlacoochee River is Madison Blue Spring State Park, smaller than Nestlé’s main bottling plant. Continue reading
![[Next to river]](https://www.wwals.net/pictures/2019-11-04--barrel-suwannee-river-us-41/75341165_2988923911122935_2644471575293722624_o.jpg)