America's Most Endangered Rivers - (Page 31) The St. Johns and Global Wa r m i n g The St. Johns’ current pollution problems will only grow in a warmer climate. Precipitation in Florida is expected to decline, and warmer temperatures will increase evaporation. At the same time, severe storms will wash nutrients and other contaminants into the river. All of these changes will increase the risk of toxic algal blooms and may make the river unsuitable for recreation and water supply. Greater water efficiency could return more water to the river and reduce the amount of energy needed to transport and treat water. What’s at Stake? The removal of massive volumes of freshwater will alter salinity in the St. Johns River and negatively impact its rich estuarine diversity. Communities that depend on the St. Johns to sustain fisheries, wildlife habitat, eco-tourism and recreational activities CONTACT INFO Matt Rice, American Rivers, 803-771-7206, mrice@AmericanRivers.org Neil Armingeon, St. Johns Riverkeeper, 904-256-7591, narming@ju.edu TO TA K E AC T I O N : W W W. AMERICANRIVERS.ORG/STJOHNS DR. GERRY PINTO, JACKSONVILLE UNIVERSITY Population in the St. Johns River watershed is likely to nearly double by 2025. The St. Johns River Water Management District (SJRWMD), a governmental body that oversees area waters, is looking to the St. Johns and its principal tributary, the Ocklawaha River, to fuel this growth. The SJRWMD claims communities will be able to withdraw 155 million gallons per day from the St. Johns River, in addition to 90 to 108 million gallons per day from the Ocklawaha. But the St. Johns cannot afford to lose flows. Water levels have hit historical lows in recent years, and the river’s characteristic low velocity makes it slow to flush nutrients and other pollution. The Florida Department of Environmental Protection lists the lower St. Johns as impaired for nutrients, which feed periodic uncontrolled algal blooms in the river, deplete dissolved oxygen, and produce fishkilling toxins, which irritate human skin and can cause nausea and vomiting in cases of extended exposure. Moreover, the SJRWMD likely does not need more water than it already has. Water conservation is not a priority of the SJRWMD or the rest of the state. Floridians now use 160 gallons of water per capita every day — 60 gallons more than the national average, and approximately 50 percent goes to water thirsty lawns and nonnative landscaping. may lose these values the river now provides. Water withdrawals may further reduce the river’s ability to flush pollutants and sediments from its waters and increase the occurrence of damaging algal blooms. Additionally, because the St. Johns River has high salt and mineral content, most withdrawals will require reverse osmosis, meaning that salt and other pollutants will be removed from the water and discharged back into the St. Johns, increasing their concentrations. Finally, the proposed withdrawals will cost Floridians more than $4 billion, destroy the river’s ecology, and provide drinking water needs for only 10 years. Simple and cost-effective water conservation and efficiency measures must be utilized in the watershed before more water is taken from the river. Installation of lowmaintenance landscaping, agricultural soil moisture sensors and reuse pipes in new development would go a long way towards bringing the region’s per capita water use down to the national average. Other measures include tiered water rates that encourage ratepayers to use less water; rebates for low-flow appliances and fixtures; and incentives and opportunities for Low Impact Development practices for builders, developers and homeowners. Implementation of these measures would enable recreation, tourism and fishing industries to continue to thrive and protect the high quality of life local residents now enjoy. What Must Be Done Seminole County has already submitted its permit request, and several water managers are likely to submit withdrawal applications in 2008. The SJRWMD Board of Governors should deny this and all other withdrawal permits for the St. Johns River. Instead, Seminole County and others seeking more water from the St. Johns must develop more aggressive water conservation programs before being allowed to withdraw more water. http://www.stjohnsriverkeeper.org http://www.americanrivers.org/stjohns
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