At an outdoor pavilion near the protest, Dr. Robert Knight, President of the Florida Springs Institute, said Rainbow River has been stretched beyond its limit by over-pumping and nitrate pollution and cannot be further tapped. He critiqued the Southwest Florida Water Management District recent scientific draft Minimum Flow and Levels (MFLs) as insufficient.
Only 98 individuals were allowed seating for a panel discussion on the draft rule at City Hall. Fifty more people had to stand at the front door, straining to hear a presentation from a Southwest Florida Water Management District staffer.
Legislation dictates that the MFL for Rainbow River be approved at July 2017, but a critical peer review by University of Florida scientist Dr. Matthew Cohen, Geologist and environmental scientist Lee Wilson, Ph.D and retired USGS groundwater specialist Dann Yobbi said the document called for more guidance and study. It said the draft showed conflicting results and recommended capping future withdrawals until water quality issues are effectively addressed.
No new excessive water use permits are what the science really shows to a water body which is already in harm's way.
The Southwest Florida Water Management District Governing Board is expected to vote on the proposed Rainbow River MFL on March 28, 2017.
Location of meeting: SWFWMD Headquarters, 2379 Broad Street, Brooksville, FL 34604-6899.
These meetings are open to the public.
The final draft of the proposed Rainbow River MFL can be found here:
http://
Comments on the Rainbow River MFL can be made here:
Doug Leeper, Chief Environmental Scientist, Minimum Flows and Levels Project Manager,
Resource Evaluation Section
(352) 796-7211, ext. 4272
or email: doug.leeper@watermatters.org
please cc: Florida Springs Council, FloridaSpringsCouncil@gmail.com
Media coverge:
http://www.chronicleonline.com/content/rainbow-center-battle-over-flow
http://www.ocala.com/photogallery/LK/20170223/PHOTOGALLERY/223009988/PH/1
http://www.gainesville.com/news/20170223/protesters-seek-to-protect-rainbow-river
Check out our photo album:
https://www.facebook.com/pg/sierraclubfl/photos/?tab=album&album_id=1334431503246302
--- Merrillee Malwitz-Jipson, Organizing Representative, Sierra Club
Media coverge:
http://www.chronicleonline.com/content/rainbow-center-battle-over-flow
http://www.ocala.com/photogallery/LK/20170223/PHOTOGALLERY/223009988/PH/1
http://www.gainesville.com/news/20170223/protesters-seek-to-protect-rainbow-river
Check out our photo album:
https://www.facebook.com/pg/sierraclubfl/photos/?tab=album&album_id=1334431503246302
--- Merrillee Malwitz-Jipson, Organizing Representative, Sierra Club