Tag Archives: Quantity

Phase II Water Shortage and Springs Protection Awareness Month Proclamation @ SRWMD 2026-03-10

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Update 2026-03-10: SRWMD livestreams its meetings on YouTube. This one will be here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RXdoI5qrgXQ

There is nothing on the SRWMD Board agenda about Water First North Florida (WFNF) for 9 AM this Tuesday, March 10, 2026. But there are several items related to that scheme to pipe treated wastewater from Jacksonville into the Suwannee River Basin.

If you can, please do go to the SRWMD meeting and speak. Don’t forget these other meetings:

[Phase II Water Shortage, Springs Protection Awareness & Water Conservation Month Proclamation @ SRWMD 2026-03-10]
Phase II Water Shortage, Springs Protection Awareness & Water Conservation Month Proclamation @ SRWMD 2026-03-10

The SRWMD agenda for tomorrow has a Public Hearing about declaring a Phase II Severe Water Shortage. That declaration is watered down, with few actual requirements. Although not as much as the Modified Phase II Severe Water Shortage already declared by SJRWMD, which appears to eliminate all mandatory water restrictions.

Also on the SRWMD agenda, perhaps ironically, are

  • a “Water Conservation Month Proclamation” and
  • a “Springs Protection Awareness Month Proclamation”.

And of course the monthly SRWMD Hydrologic Conditions Report, which will detail how bad the drought is.

Plus you never know what will be presented in “WATER RESOURCES, Amy Brown, Deputy Executive Director, 9. Water Resources Division Updates.” Continue reading →

Radio: Mayor and Chairmans Paddle by Suwannee Riverkeeper on talk921.com 2026-03-05

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Join us on the radio, talk921.com, at 8 AM tomorrow morning, Thursday, March 5, 2026, to hear about the Mayor and Chairmans Paddle by Suwannee Riverkeeper this Saturday.

https://wwals.net/?p=69525

[Radio: talk921.com, 8 AM, Thursday, March 5, 2026, Mayor and Chairmans Paddle by Suwannee Riverkeeper]
Radio: talk921.com, 8 AM, Thursday, March 5, 2026, Mayor and Chairmans Paddle by Suwannee Riverkeeper

Here’s a facebook event to remind you:

https://www.facebook.com/events/2273100159762397/

Thanks to Joe Brownlee and Georgia Power for the generous grant that makes this paddle free for everyone. Thanks to Paul Deloach and The Langdale Company for river access. Thanks to Paul Batts and Valdosta-Lowndes County Parks and Recreation Authority for shuttle vans. Thanks to Steve Miller for his 4-wheeler for the takeout. And thanks to Phil Hubbard for leading this paddle.

Valdosta Mayor Scott James Matheson and Suwannee Riverkeeper John S. Quarterman may also talk about other current topics such as: Continue reading →

Lower Santa Fe Cleanup by Rum 138 2026-03-08

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Here is what Merrillee Malwitz-Jipson sent me:

Overview: Lower Santa Fe River Trash Clean-Up, March 8th, 9 am to 2 pm, After Party 2 pm – 6 pm at Rum 138 in Fort White, Florida

GOAL:

30 miles, 6 hours, 300+ participants

[Lower Santa Fe Cleanup by Rum 138, 30 Miles, One River, One Day 2026-03-08]
Lower Santa Fe Cleanup by Rum 138, 30 Miles, One River, One Day 2026-03-08

Due to historic low river levels and clear water, the sight of omnipresent human garbage was becoming an eyesore on the Santa Fe River and the Ichetucknee Spring run. Within the 30 miles stretch of its flow to the Suwannee River, local residents began quietly organizing community clean-ups separately. Merrillee Malwitz-Jipson, a riparian property owner and a paddling outfitting business owner, recognized a wider need to assist the Santa Fe and Ichetucknee communities to remove trash on the river, in the river, and along the shoreline of the Santa Fe River. 30 miles were in need of a clean sweep, beginning at Mile Marker 30 at RiverRise Preserve State Park (Columbia County, Florida) downstream to Mile Marker 1 at Butler Landing (Gilchrist County, Florida) on the Santa Fe River near the Suwannee River. There are eight Teams organized from public access boat ramps that each represent a few miles to several miles of area to remove human discarded trash.

As the Santa Fe River is extremely low due to drought stages and the trash is obvious. We are expecting upwards of 300 participants Continue reading →

WFNF unanimous aye from Florida Senate Rules Committee 2026-03-03

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Update 2026-03-05: Florida Senate Bill would send treated Jacksonville wastewater into the Suwannee River Basin –WTXL 2026-03-03.

The ratifying bill passed its last committee Tuesday for the project to pipe treated wastewater from Jacksonville into the Suwannee River Basin, in the Water First North Florida (WFNF) project.

Next stop, the full Senate, Thursday, tomorrow. Please call or write your Senators; see below for how.

The Senators will likely approve the bill. But the more they hear, the more likely they will advise SRWMD and SJRWMD that it must be clean or not at all, as did Senators Tracie Davis of Jacksonville and Jennifer Bradley, who represents the most affected area of the Santa Fe and Ichetucknee Rivers.

See the Florida Channel video of the Florida Senate Rules Committee on March 3, 2026.

https://thefloridachannel.org/videos/3-3-26-senate-committee-on-rules/

At 02:31:00 they took up item 20, SB 7034, and ended up with Yeas 21 Nays 0.

[WFNF unanimous aye from Florida Senate Rules Committee 2026-03-03, In full Senate Thursday 2026-03-05, Call or write your Senator]
WFNF unanimous aye from Florida Senate Rules Committee 2026-03-03, In full Senate Thursday 2026-03-05, Call or write your Senator

Next, SB 7034 is on Special Order Calendar for the full Senate for tomorrow, Thursday, March 5, 2026, as “GB by Environment and Natural Resources Ratification of Rules of the Department of Environmental Protection.”

Please call or write your Florida state Senator.

Please be polite but firm.

These are the three Suwannee River Basin Florida State Senators: Continue reading →

Radio: Mayor and Chairmans Paddle by Suwannee Riverkeeper on talk921.com 2026-03-05

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Join us on the radio, talk921.com, at 8 AM tomorrow morning, Thursday, March 5, 2026, to hear about the Mayor and Chairmans Paddle by Suwannee Riverkeeper this Saturday.

https://wwals.net/?p=69525

[Radio: talk921.com, 8 AM, Thursday, March 5, 2026, Mayor and Chairmans Paddle by Suwannee Riverkeeper]
Radio: talk921.com, 8 AM, Thursday, March 5, 2026, Mayor and Chairmans Paddle by Suwannee Riverkeeper

Here’s a facebook event to remind you:

https://www.facebook.com/events/2273100159762397/

Thanks to Joe Brownlee and Georgia Power for the generous grant that makes this paddle free for everyone. Thanks to Paul Deloach and The Langdale Company for river access. Thanks to Paul Batts and Valdosta-Lowndes County Parks and Recreation Authority for shuttle vans. Thanks to Steve Miller for his 4-wheeler for the takeout. And thanks to Phil Hubbard for leading this paddle.

Valdosta Mayor Scott James Matheson and Suwannee Riverkeeper John S. Quarterman may also talk about other current topics such as: Continue reading →

WFNF bill in Florida Senate Rules Committee 2026-03-03

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Update 2026-03-04: WFNF unanimous aye from Florida Senate Rules Committee 2026-03-03.

Please come to the WFNF ratification meeting of the Florida Senate Rules Committee, at 9 AM, Tuesday, March 3, 2026. That’s at the Pat Thomas Committee Room, 412 Knott Building, 404 South Monroe Street Tallahassee, FL 32399.

https://www.flsenate.gov/Committees/Show/RC/

If we’re lucky, they’ll be done by lunchtime. There is no way to predict when they will take up SB 7034.

All of you who in meetings and online have opposed the Water First North Florida (WFNF) project to pipe treated Jacksonville wastewater into the Suwannee River Basin: here’s a chance to stop it.

[Call to stop WFNF bill 2026-03-03, Florida Senate Rules Committee, No JAX wastewater into Suwannee Basin]
Call to stop WFNF bill 2026-03-03, Florida Senate Rules Committee, No JAX wastewater into Suwannee Basin

If you can’t come in person, please call or write your Florida state Senator.

Either way, please be polite but firm.

Two Suwannee River Basin Florida State Senators are on the Rules Committee: Continue reading →

SRWMD rescheduled, not Hamilton County 2026-03-19

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Update 2026-02-26: Aquifer recharge is needed, but Jacksonville pumping is the biggest problem –Dennis J. Price, P.G. 2026-02-22.

Hamilton Rivers posted on facebook today, Public Clarification on the Water First North Florida Meeting

Hamilton County officials want to make it clear that we have not cancelled the upcoming meeting to discuss the Water First North Florida project.

The Suwannee River Water Management District (SRWMD) — not the County — has rescheduled the meeting at their request, and it will now take place at the District’s offices, as announced by the SRWMD.

New Meeting Details (hosted by SRWMD):

📅 Date: Thursday, March 19, 2026

🕕 Time: 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.

📍 Location: SRWMD Headquarters, 9225 County Road 49, Live Oak, FL 32060j

[SRWMD rescheduled, not Hamilton County 2026-02-25, WFNF moved to SRWMD HQ, Thursday, March 19, 2026]
SRWMD rescheduled, not Hamilton County 2026-02-25, WFNF moved to SRWMD HQ, Thursday, March 19, 2026

SRWMD is still sending Amy Brown to speak Thursday evening at the North Central Florida Regional Planning Council. You can attend in person in Lake City or online.

https://wwals.net/?p=69492

For much more information on WFNF and how it’s good for JEA and Jacksonville, not so much for the Suwannee River Basin, see Water First North Florida at Columbia County Commission 2026-02-19.

SRWMD press release, District announces public meeting to discuss Water First North Florida
Posted on February 23, 2026 | Last Updated on February 23, 2026

LIVE OAK, FLA., FEBRUARY 23, 2026 — Following feedback received from its residents, the Suwannee River Water Management District (District) has announced an upcoming public meeting to provide a venue to discuss the project specifics, hear concerns, and respond to questions around the Water First North Florida project.

Continue reading →

SRWMD at North Central Florida Regional Planning Council 2026-02-26

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Update 2026-02-25: NCFRPC E.D. Scott Koons called to say Amy Brown of SRWMD will be speaking about drought conditions, not WFNF. Everyone is still welcome to come speak in Public Comment at the end of the meeting.

Update 2026-02-25: SRWMD rescheduled, not Hamilton County, for a WFNF meeting at SRWMD HQ 2026-03-19.

The agenda doesn’t say what Amy Brown of SRWMD will be speaking about at 7 PM Thursday, but chances are it will be Water First North Florida (WFNF), the SRWMD and SJRWMD project to pipe treated Jacksonville wastewater into Suwannee River Basin wetlands.

Yes, that’s the same day and an hour later than the SRWMD schedule appearance in Jasper.

There will be a meeting of the North Central Florida Regional Planning Council on February 26, 2026. The meeting will be held as a hybrid meeting in-person at the Holiday Inn Hotel and Suites, Suwannee Room, 213 Southwest Commerce Boulevard, Lake City, Florida, and via Communications Media Technology at 7:00 p.m.

To join the meeting from your computer, tablet or smartphone:

https://meet.goto.com/309895045

DIAL IN NUMBER: Toll Free: 1.877.309.2073

ACCESS CODE: 309 895 045

MEETING STARTS AT 7:00 P.M.

Please email koons@ncfrpc.org by February 25, 2026 to let us know if you will be attending the meeting in-person or via communications media technology. THANK YOU.

[SRWMD at North Central Florida Regional Planning Council 2026-02-26, Guest Speaker: Amy Brown of SRWMD, Doesn't say WFNF, but probably is]
SRWMD at North Central Florida Regional Planning Council 2026-02-26, Guest Speaker: Amy Brown of SRWMD, Doesn’t say WFNF, but probably is

This is the relevant agenda item:

VI. | GUEST SPEAKER – Amy Brown, Deputy Executive Director Suwannee River Water Management District

Plus this item:

X. PUBLIC COMMENTS

The Council welcomes you to this meeting. This time is set aside for our citizens and general public to address the Council. If you would like to address the Council, please complete a form, come to the podium when you are called, speak into the microphone and state your name for the record. Please also limit your comments to not more than three minutes. Your participation is welcomed.

Please remember to Ask for explanations or to stop the projects. Continue reading →

Datacenters meeting, Lowndes County, GA 2026-02-17

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Update 2026-02-24: Datacenter electricity SB 34 in GA Senate Committee 2026-02-24.

As I said at the end, we saw unprecedented transparency from the property owner and Georgia Power, at the Lowndes County meeting about datacenters, February 17, 2026, at Valdosta State University.

We still need much more due diligence and we need a datacenter ordinance by Lowndes County.

[Unprecedented transparency, Need much more due diligence, Datacenter meeting, VSU, Lowndes County, GA 2026-02-17]
Unprecedented transparency, Need much more due diligence, Datacenter meeting, VSU, Lowndes County, GA 2026-02-17

I thank Pope Langdale for revealing that the datacenter would be by DC BLOX, and that their CEO had promised him closed loop cooling with minimal water from county utilities and a large number of high-paying jobs.

However, that CEO’s job is to be chief salesman for his product. Where are the specifications of this closed loop system? Where are some locations of DC BLOX datacenters we can all examine to see how they actually work? And ask their neighbors what they think? The DC BLOX website says they have 17 locations, and has a map with city or county names, but no further information.

Please listen to the experts on the panel and the people in the room, especially the students, who said they have not been able to find any datacenter neighbors who have had a positive experience.

I understand Joe Brownlee of Georgia Power’s wish to provide jobs and tax revenue. But, as I discussed with him after the meeting, it’s not good to get too dependent on a business that may vanish soon. Plus he is well aware that I and WWALS differ with he and Georgia Power about natural gas pipelines and power plants, more of which are now proposed to power these datacenters in Georgia.

We’ve all heard promises of many high-paying jobs before. The Sabal Trail pipeline promised that. Which turned out to be construction jobs outsourced to contractors from Texas and Oklahoma.

To the person who demanded Pope Langdale get the Lowndes County Commission to pass a datacenter ordinance: be careful what you wish for. You do not actually want local rich people completely controling local governments. You all need to be getting an ordinance passed.

Meanwhile near Irwinville, a special exception for a datacenter is on the agenda for the Ocilla/Irwin County Planning Commission this Thursday, February 26, 2026.

https://wwals.net/?p=69394

Amy Sharma’s Science for Georgia presentation slides are on the WWALS website, in PowerPoint and PDF, and on google drive.

The model datacenter ordinances by Science for Georgia are also on the WWALS website, or follow the QR code: Continue reading →

JAX treated wastewater into Suwannee Basin @ Hamilton Co. Courthouse –SRWMD 2026-02-26

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SRWMD is going all-out in PR for Jacksonville treated wastewater into the Suwannee Basin, this time with a meeting the District is holding:

NOTICE OF PUBLIC MEETING

The Suwannee River Water Management District will hold a public meeting at 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, February 26, 2026, at the Hamilton County Courthouse Annex, Auditorium, 1153 US Highway 41, NW, Jasper, Florida 32052. The purpose of this meeting is to discuss and answer questions regarding the implementation of the Water First North Florida project which was recently approved to address regional water supply and environmental needs. The public is encouraged and invited to attend this important meeting.

[JAX treated wastewater into Suwannee Basin, @ Hamilton Co. Courthouse --SRWMD 2026-02-26]
JAX treated wastewater into Suwannee Basin, @ Hamilton Co. Courthouse –SRWMD 2026-02-26

This project would pipe treated wastewater from the JEA Buckman wastewater treatment plant in Jacksonville into wetlands in the Suwannee River Basin to be absorbed into groundwater, to increase levels and flows in the Ichetucknee and Santa Fe Rivers and their springs, such as the Ichetucknee headspring.

[WATER FIRST NORTH FLORIDA, Potential treatment wetland locations and recharge locations, 2025-07-08 --SRWMD]
WATER FIRST NORTH FLORIDA, Potential treatment wetland locations and recharge locations, 2025-07-08 –SRWMD

But those wetlands wouldn’t remove PFAS forever chemicals, pipes break, and the project would cost a billion dollars and take more than a dozen years.

The biggest reason for lower levels and flows is Jacksonville wastewater withdrawals. Easier, cheaper, and faster would be seawater desalination to reduce or eliminate JAX withdrawals.

Please ask your elected and appointed officials, local, state, and national, for explanations or to stop this project.

For a change.org petition follow this link or the qrcode below:

https://c.org/8CgGBpLv7r Continue reading →