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Hello Members of LCCC
We are about to embark on a new county political year. The new County Commissioners will be sworn in November 21 and for the first time in 12 years we will be without Richard Swartz on the County Commision. We will also be without Gena Swartz on the Lake County Water Authority Board. The leadership of the Swartz’s for all of us environmentalists has been something wonderful and productive and we are going to miss it profoundly. Meanwhile, we must became acquainted with our new Commissioners, Jennifer Hill and Debbie Stivender.
The new political year is not here just yet. I don't want to be jumping the gun. We have an election coming up November 7 for important school board members and state representatives and senator, and so important for LCCC members, the positions on the Lake County Water Authority. Several members of LCCC are running for those positions; so it is important that we all get out to vote. It is also not too late to send in your absentee ballot. All you have to do is telephone the County Supervisor of Elections and ask advice. The number is 3439734. We had a wellattended and very good forum for all Water Authority candidates at our last program meeting, October 19, 2000. During the following two days. I polled members of the LCCC Board as to whether we would endorse any candidates, and, if so, which one or ones. Our Board decision is announced in the enclosed insert to this newsletter.
Don't be discouraged by some of our defeats at the ballot box. Remember, this summer we were instrumental in preventing the developinent of a golf course in the Wekiva Protection Area; and the Sugarloaf development, with help on our part, was turned down unanimously by a 5 to 0 vote of the Board of County Commissioners. Also, many of us have been critical of the plethora of golf courses springing up all over the county. Among other things, they consume too much water. Well, the County is presently working on golf course provisions, so we should stay tuned and should make our voices heard.
See you at our November program meeting. It should be interesting. We will learn what is likely to happen next in the Lake Apopka Basin.
Ruth Gray, LCCC President
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Tuesday, November 7.
General Election Day.
Be sure to vote!
Tuesday, November 7 9:00AM
BCC Meeting.
BCC Chamber in the Round Administration Building, Tavares
The last Board of County Commission Meeting for Richard Swartz and Rhonda Gerber.
Thursday, November 16 7:30 p.m.
Eustis Conmunity Building in the Lakeview Room. Bay Street on the lakeshore, Eustis.
(Note: this is a location change)
Regular LCCC Meeting.
Guest speaker: Brian Canin with Canin Associates presenting future planning tor the Lake Apopka Basin,
Thursday, December 28 6:00 p.m.
Eustis Women’s Club, 200 Center St., Eustis
LCCC Evergreen Holiday Gathering.
Members bring refreshments to share. Please invite a friend to join us.
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Thank You to Richard and Rhonda
There is no question about it. It takes a tremendous amount of diligence, dedication and dogged determination to be a worthy County Commissioner, include intelligence, patience and a willingness to listen to the people you are elected to represent and you have the ideal official. Lake County has been very fortunate to have had the services of two individuals with all these qualities plus integrity and honesty thrown in for good measure. Thank you to Richard Swartz for twelve years of service and to Rhonda Gerber for eight years of service on the Lake County Board of Commissioners.
LCCC members were proud of you both as you assumed office and we are proud of you as you leave office. All good wishes to each of you as you undertake a new phase of your life.
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Lake County Water Authority Candidate Forum
LCCC and the Mt. Dora Friends of the Environment joined in hosting a forum for candidates for the new elected Board of the Lake County Water Authority (LCWA) at a meeting on October 19th. President Ruth Gray of LCCC introduced the candidates and MDFOE President, Jim Yatsuk kept track of the three minute time allowed for the candidates to talk.
The candidate forum was prefaced by a description of the LCWA given by the Executive Director, Mike Perry. The LCWA was created in 1953 by the Florida Legislature. Mike listed the legal mandates of the LCWA which are:
* Controlling and conserving the freshwater resources of Lake County;
* Fostering and improving the tourist business in the county by improvements to the streams, lakes, and canals in the county;
* Providing recreational facilities for the tourists and citizens and taxpayers of the county by a more efficient use of the streams, lakes, and canals in the county;
* Preserving, protecting, and improving fish and wildlife of the county; and
* Protecting the freshwater resources of Lake County through assisting local governments in treatment of stormwater runoff.
The LCWA is not a regulatory agency, but they work closely with other agencies which have enforcement provisions. LCWA is an efficient operation with only 13 employees and an ad valorem tax millage of .5 mill.
Following this description of the LCWA, Ruth Gray introduced the candidates for the two atlarge seats on the Board. This is a summary of the statements made by the candidates in the order they spoke.
Robert Taylor said he has been involved with the LCWA on different levels for seven years. First he worked as Land Manager and then as the Executive Director. He worked to meet the five designated purposes as described and he believes the agency will become even more important in the future. He would want the agency to continue in partnerships, but always accomplishing what is best for Lake County and our resources.
Skip Goerner described himself as the "largest" candidate running atlarge. He is a campground/fish camp/marina owner. He said the water quality has been declining and LCWA must take a bigger role. According to the SWIM plan (Surface Water Improvement and Management), he said we must fluctuate the lake levels and need canal dredging and removal of sediment to do that. He thinks that should be the direction of the LCWA and not land acquisition and stormwater management.
For Joe Hill. Jim Hill (no relation) spoke on behalf of Joe Hill who was absent because he was in Atlanta to receive an EPA award for his environmental protection work over the years. Joe Hill has served on both the South West Florida Water Management District Governing Board and on the St. Johns River Water Management District Board, including as Chairman. Before that he served on the Lake County Pollution Control Board when dumping of sewage effluent from cities and from citrus processing plants into the lakes was brought to a halt. Presently, Joe Hill is the LCWA Board Chairman and also heads up the Lake Griffin Task Force. He believes that the LCWA needs to dredge canals so the lakes can fluctuate on more natural schedules. Also, he wants stormwater runoff managed properly and he works for the education of the public in environmental matters. He has pursued these goals as Chairman of the LCWA Board.
For Bernie Yokel. Egor Emery spoke on behalf of Bernie Yokel as Bernie had a conflict in meetings and could not attend. Egor gave an outline of Bernie's qualifications and work history including his degree in marine biology and his doctorate in wetland ecology. His career includes marine science work in Guam and many years in the Everglades. Later he served nine years as the President of Florida Audubon. After retirement, he serves on the Board of the National Audubon Society and does environmental consulting work. Bernie's belief is that science needs to be the guiding factor in all work done by the LCWA.
A fifth atlarge candidate, Kevin Sentner was not present or represented. Steve Johnson has withdrawn from the race.
Next Ruth Gray introduced the candidates present representing the five districts.
in District 1: Jim Hill who said he was glad there were many candidates running as water is the issue now and into the future. He has done an environmental impact study in the Keys for FDOT and he is presently Director of food services for Lake County Schools. He has both a business and a biological background. He discussed the different trophic states of lakes and how each are different. He approved of the land acquisition done by the LCWA and noted that much has been donated including sensitive areas. He wants to stay involved in water issues and would like to serve on the LCWA Board.
Ann Griffin introduced herself as a mumber of both MDFOE and LCCC and said "water is my way of life" . Ann has been an activist in water issues since 1994. She believes there is a crises in both water supply and water quality. She served in the Water 2020 Supply planning process and has studied the Pasco County problem where large well fields have dried up 37,000 acres of wetlands. She said the present low lake levels are a result of lack of rain but also from increased pumping from the aquifer. She also expressed her concern about pesticides and microbes killing our lakes and the life they support.
In District 2, Jim Modica was elected unopposed. He presently serves on the LCWA Board.
In District 3 no candidate was present. Jerry Clutts is a LCCC member and was District Ranger with the U. S. Forest Service working in the Ocala National Forest until his recent retirement. Larry Everly was not present due to recent surgery.
In District 4: Egor Emery described being involved in the controversy over the LCWA Board becoming elected. While thinking the Board should be appointed, he is most interested in maintaining the good work the LCWA has done. With 6,000 acres of great recreation sites and beautiful vistas, he would like to serve on the Board to continue this work. He foresees intense problems with water supply and believes the LCWA will have an increasing role in water issues.
Gene Molner has retired from a career in education as a high school principal and in the Lake County School Administration. He served as liaison from the school system to the LCWA Land Acquisition Committee. He thinks that laboratories for schools adjacent to LCWA preserves would be a good idea. He would like to continue to work with the LCWA. He thinks the 1 mill will not do much to help with stormwater management, but each lake has a plan and the runoff must stop.
In District 5; Susan Ryan said she loves Lake County and is concerned about our water and water quality. Aware of the Lake Lowery diversion and Surnter applying for water from Lake County, she wants to protect the water of Lake County. A concerned environmentalist, she has received the LCCC Award of Merit for her efforts in youth education, was a Lake County Teacher of the Year and until recently served on the Environmental Protection Advisory Board. She is actively teaching in elementary education. She believes we can stop the pollution of our water and wants to use science to find solutions.
Keith Farner has been with the Sheriffs Department for the last 10 years. His goal for the LCWA is to conserve and protect what we have. He would go after federal money as the current budget can't do it. He believes in educating the youth to protect the water. Claiming that current runoff is equivilent to raw sewage, he would concentrate on water retention. He would be patient as pollution occured over a long time and will take time to improve.
Thomas Poss was not well and did not attend.
After the formal presentations, the candidates took questions from the audience which included the candidate's environmental affiliations, about pesticides and microbes, budget allocations and millage rates, golf courses, stormwater management and dredging for fluctuations, the answers to the questions were also included in the assessment of the candidates and factored into the endorsements given on the enclosed flyer. Many of the answers allowed the candidates to elaborate on their views as they stated in their opening statements summarized in this report.
Reported by Nadine Foley
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Rodman Dam -- It Isn't Down Yet
The Florida Defenders of the Environment and other state environmental groups are asking supporters of Ocklawaha River restoration to keep urging the effort forward. Even though Governor Bush announced his support for restoration, many a plan to prolong the process keeps popping up. As recently as the senatorial debate on October 25th. Senator Cowin still said she was not ready to pull the plug on the reservoir. Leslie Scales, campaigning for the District 11 seat, is firmly on the side of wanting to restore the original river ecosystem. Let's get this restoration effort underway. It is 30 years overdue!
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Longtime LCCC member David Cleary of Tavares died in October. David used his career experience in advertising to further his advocacy of health issues. His campaign of preventative education on the medical effects of alcohol resulted in the posting of warning signs where alcohol is sold. Our sympathy goes to his wife Virginia and to his family.
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A new documentary film by Bill Belleville on the Wekiva River will be aired on WMFE Ch. 24 on Wednesday, November 15 at 8:00 p.m. The film will show the wilderness of the river basin and scientific discoveries made in the course of filming the springs, runs and caves of the Wekiva basin. The video and a curriculum kit will be available after the broadcast. Information will be available at
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The Growth Management Commission continues to hold public meetings around the state to get citizen input. They will be scheduled until February 2001 when the commission is due to report to Governor Bush and the Florida Legislature. For the convenience of citizens not able to attend meetings, there is a website at www.floridagrowth.org and a tollfree hotline at (877) 4291296 for citizen input. The website will have meeting dates, agendas and locations. In one way or another, share your opinion and ideas for improvement of the state's growth management laws with the Commission.
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Merchant Power Plants – Two Views
The September LCCC regular meeting was well attended and members heard two views on the advantages and disadvantages of merchant power plants. These are electricity producing plants built with private venture capital not covered by the Power Plant Siting Act and not part of the State Comprehensive Plan. The entrepreneurs expect to sell their power wholesale at a profit and have no commitment to serve local or state markets. LCCC members want to know more about these power plants since about 30 plants are proposed throughout Florida and two are proposed in Lake County.
The two in Lake County are the Panda Energy plant seeking water use permits in the Okahumpka area south of Leesburg and the Duke Energy plant requesting a location east of Eustis near the Eustis city sprayfield.
At the meeting, Ann Vanik with Citizens for a Rational Energy Policy gave the concerns her group has with allowing these type electricity generating plants. They are concerned about the water use, the impact on air quality and that the plants are outside of the usual regulatory constraints. After her discussion. Lee Bidgood offered his assessment of the advantages of these type power plants including the use of natural gas as a clean fuel, use of reclaimed water for part of the cooling water needs and lower electric rates.
The two speakers raised many questions from the audience and lively discussion ensued. It is clear there is much to learn about this type power plant. Meanwhile, news articles have been describing the increase in natural gas prices which have gone up as much as 77% since the beginning of the year. Other reports of the sharply rising electric rates in California suggest the downside of electric utility deregulation. Governor Bush has appointed an Energy 2020 Study Commission to report by December 1, 2001. While these merchant plants are not quite the same as deregulation of the electric industry, they would be outside of the usual regulatory authority of the Public Service Commission. This complex issue deserves careful consideration before our local natural resources are committed.
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The latest "Island Press Environmental Sourcebook" is out and is chock full of wonderful books on biodiversity and wildlife, ecological restoration and land use planning and management. Call for the catalog at 1(800) 8281302 or go to their website at: www.island.press . For Florida oriented environmental books get the University Press of Florida, Univ. of Florida catalog for Florida nature enthusiasts. Order at 1(800) 2263822 toll free or go to the website at: www.upf.com
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The reintroduction of the Whooping Crane to Florida has been underway since 1993. Captive raised birds have been brought to Florida and carefully released in the Kissimmee wildlife refuge. Some of the oldest birds surviving have reached maturity and this year biologists were delighted with the hatching of two baby birds. Although the parents tended the babies very well, it is thought that the young birds did not survive beyond 68 days. Nevertheless, the adults have proven they can reproduce and there is hope for the new wild birds. Another pair was observed to build a nest in the Orlando area. Beth McKeeton an LCCC member from Astor reports seeing a whooping crane in the company of sandhill cranes north of Deland and others report seeing them on ranchlands in the Green Swamp in south Lake County. The far ranging record so far though goes to an adult pair from the Florida released birds who have flown to Michigan for the summer at a peat mine where they were rediscovered and are being monitored and protected. The next news will be if they come back to Florida for the winter. Good Luck to these magnificent birds!
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*** A flight of wood ibis overhead or a flock of sandhill cranes in a field.
*** A democratic form of government so we can choose our leaders.
*** Fall walks under clear, blue skies with yellow and purple flowers along the way.
*** The tendency for elected people usually to rise to the requirements of the job.
*** Flowers, fruits and seeds from a myriad of plants to support the extraordinary fabric of life, including ourselves.
*** Good friends and stalwart hearts in the environmental community working to improve the quality of life in Lake County.
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Happy Thanksgiving Day!
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Lake County,
FL
