Tag Archives: PR

WWALS at Valdosta-Lowndes Tourism Authority 2015-09-22

WWALS will present its activities at the Tourism Authority for the most populous city and county in WWALS’ watersheds.

When: 8AM Tuesday September 22nd 2015

Where: Gazebo 2 room
James H. Rainwater Conference Center
1 Meeting Place
Valdosta, GA 31601

Host: Valdosta – Lowndes County Conference Center & Tourism Authority

Who: WWALS President John S. Quarterman will speak

What: He will give the Tourism Authority Board a brief summary of what’s transpired in the WWALS world in the way of positive developments since November with this non-profit entity in its work that also benefits quality of life and tourism, including: Continue reading →

FL-DEP grants hearing to WWALS against Sabal Trail pipeline under Suwannee River

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

FL-DEP grants hearing to WWALS against Sabal Trail pipeline under Suwannee River

September 4nd, 2015, Jasper, Florida — Yesterday the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FL-DEP) asked for an administrative law judge (ALJ) “to conduct all necessary proceedings required by law and to submit a recommended order to the Department”. Certifiate of Service FL-DEP apparently interprets its Order of the previous day as dismissing only the petition of WWALS-FL, a Florida nonprofit corporation, and not that of the parent corporation, WWALS Watershed Coalition, Inc. (WWALS). So it seems WWALS gets a hearing after all.

WWALS president John S. Quarterman remarked:

“Everyone told us we’d never get a hearing, so apparently we interpreted the previous day’s FL-DEP dismissal too broadly. But sometimes if you try, you succeed. And WWALS continues to try to stop the unnecessary, destructive, and hazardous Sabal Trail pipeline.”

And it seems FL-DEP is reading the news about this case, because Continue reading →

WWALS petition against Sabal Trail dismissed by FL-DEP on technicality, not real issues

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

WWALS petition against Sabal Trail dismissed by FL-DEP on technicality, not real issues

2015-09-04: New DEP message, new press release.

September 3rd, 2015, Jasper, Florida — Despite the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FL-DEP)’s Order of yesterday dismissing WWALS’ amended petition with prejudice on a technicality, including an attempt to deny FL-DEP’s responsibilities to the citizens of Florida, WWALS and WWALS-FL continue to point out the obvious: Spectra Energy’s proposed Sabal Trail fracked methane pipeline is not in the public interest, would interfere with property rights far beyond the crossing of the Suwannee River, would not maintain natural conditions, and could have severe adverse effects on fish, wildlife, public recreation, and navigation, especially if it blew up like a Spectra Energy pipeline did in May under the Arkansas River.

Hamilton County, FL resident Deanna Mericle, who wrote much of the WWALS amended petition that was dismissed, responds,

“DEP is doing a disservice to the citizens of Hamilton and Suwannee Counties by not hearing the legitimate argument and hiding behind a questionable technicality. I am sorely disappointed but not surprised.”

Yesterday WWALS received Continue reading →

No need for this pipeline. Solar power is what we should be doing. –WWALS on WCTV 2015-08-28

As we prepared to put in at US 84 to paddle up the Withlacoochee River to the proposed Sabal Trail fracked methane pipeline crossing, WCTV interviewed us, and indeed she picked out the main point.

Update 2015-08-31: I’m told people did see this story live on air on WCTV.

Winnie Wright, WCTV, 28 August 2015, WWALS Watershed Coalition Files Petition Against Pipeline,

Hamilton County, FL—WWALS Watershed Coalition filed an amended petition Friday, opposing the Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s intent to issue a building permit for a 36-inch natural pipeline under the Suwannee River in Florida.

“The combination of all this opposition, what we of course want to do is to stop the pipeline”, says John Quarterman, with WWALS. “There’s no need for this pipeline. Solar power is what we should be doing.”

Some of the other opposition I referred to was Continue reading →

Third Annual BIG Little River Paddle Race PR 2015-05-16

PDF, Registration

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Charity paddle event to take place at Reed Bingham State Park

Valdosta, April 27th, 2015 — You are invited to paddle in the third annual BIG Little River Paddle Race on Saturday, May 16, 2015. Bring your canoe or kayak or Continue reading →

New outfitter: Banks Lake Outdoors Experience

300x159 ARWT Lakeland, in Alapaha River Water Trail, by John S. Quarterman, for WWALS.net, 27 March 2015 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service PR of 11 February 2015, New Partnership Announced for Concession Operation at Banks Lake NWR

Folkston, GA… Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge is proud to announce the ground-breaking partnership that will aid in the operation and visitor services of the Banks Lake National Wildlife Refuge in Lakeland, GA. An unstaffed refuge, Banks Lake is administered by Okefenokee, nearly 120 miles away, making work at this remote refuge often difficult. Refuge staff will now be working with Lanier County to aid in the concession operation and visitor services offered at Banks Lake. “I am excited Lanier County has the opportunity for this partnership with the Banks Lake National Wildlife Refuge and the Lakeland-Lanier Chamber” said Alex Lee, Lanier County Board of Commissioners Chairman. “Our board is ready to make this happen.”

Continue reading →

Video: River etiquette and invitation to the Alapaha River Water Trail Conference and outing

WWALS Treasurer Gretchen Quarterman invited everyone to discuss river etiquette and private property and to see the prizes awarded to the high school logo contest winners at the Alapaha River Water Trail Conference tomorrow, and to go on the river outing afterwards.

She spoke in Citizens Wishing to Be Heard at the Regular Session, Lowndes County Commission (LCC), Valdosta, Lowndes County, Georgia, 10 March 2015.

Here’s the video:

Continue reading →