The Amy H Remley Foundation
News Items
July 31, 2008
The future of Florida's springs isn't eternal.
published in the St Petersburg Times Thursday, July 31, 2008 as a guest column by Robert
Knight and Sky Notestein.
click here for the full article.
July 15, 2008
Florida's Public Services Commission gives assent to the need for additonal nuclear generation of electricity.
In spite of overwhelming objections by members of the public and groups opposed to nuclear energy generation, the PSC assented to the case presented by Progress Energy that the need was evident at their meeting in Tallassee on July 15, 2008.
This paves the way for Progress Energy to pursue other regulatory conditions.
(see the Nuclear
Engery page in the Alternative
Energy section)
May 21, 2008
The need for the Progress Energy nuclear plants in Levy County.
On the need for the Progress Energy
nuclear plants in Levy County, I spoke at the meeting on April 23rd.,
at the Plantation Inn in Crystal River and followed that with a more
detailed written submission to the PSC. I am writing now as Director
of the Amy H Remley Foundation and Director of the Kings Bay Association.
click here for the full article.
February 13, 2008
Development of Crystal River Commons.
This is the speech given February 7, 2008, before the Citrus County
Planning and Development Review Board by Mrs. Renee McPheeters, Candidate
for County Commissioner, District 1, Citrus County, Fl.
click here for the full article.
January 16, 2008
In the Trenches for Clean Water.
From: Saul Garlick, Global Policy Innovations Program.
Water, our most basic need, is poised to be the most baffling challenge of the 21st century.
It is being ignored wantonly at a time when more than 1 million people per year die from its
scarcity and contamination...
click here for the full article.
November 4, 2007
Comments on Withlacoochee Water Woes.
by Norman Hopkins, as printed in the Citrus County Chronicle, Sunday, November 4, 2007
I applaud and support Pricilla Watkins for speaking out in the CC Chronicle Commentary Sunday,
October 21st, 2007. I attended those meetings of the WRWSA board and was appalled at
the discussions there...
click here for the full article.
October 21, 2007
Withlacoochee Water Woes.
by Priscilla Watkins, president Homosassa River Alliance.
Published CC Chronicle Commentary Sunday, October 21st, 2007.
WATER WARS II?
THE OPENING SALVOS
Word began circulating in July that the St. John's River Water Management District (SJRWMD)
had named our Withlacoochee River as one of its potential "alternative water supply"
sources after 2013, although the Withlacoochee River lies entirely within the Southwest Florida
Water Management District (SWFWMD). It was, and still remains, cause for high alarm...
click here for the full article.
October 15, 2007
'05 water bill was meant to promote alternatives.
Published in the St. Petersburg Times, by SEN. PAULA DOCKERY.
A recent Times article, "Law lets thirsty areas look far," and subsequent editorial,
"Water grab would be theft, pure and simple," brought to my attention what I see as a
misunderstanding of the applicability of "local sources first" laws...
click here for the full article.
October 7, 2007
Today's Citrus County Chronicle carried two articles by Don Cox which follow up his
article printed on August 12th, 2007.
A Need for Bold Leadership on Drinking Water Protection
On the second war front, namely the water war that Florida is facing, decisions about
drinking water quality, distillation, water prices and distribution are rapidly approaching.
Citrus County taxpayers will be asked to underwrite expensive water treatment schemes while
nature's own groundwater storage capabilities will be slowly consumed. Water use efficiency
policies that could help meet Florida's water needs are often ignored in favor of proposals
that are more expensive and have the potentially to be dangerous to our health...
click here for the full article.
A Need for Bold Leadership on Groundwater Protection
Past water wars were the result of years of over pumping groundwater supplies in Pasco County
and distributing the bounty to Hillsborough and Pinellas counties. In 2001, the Cato Institute
report stated: "The policy politics of water management in Florida over the last several
years has been contentious and driven by indecision, procrastination, and short-term fixes."
The last battle front in the water wars will be about the reuse, growth management, and
protection of our groundwater resources...
click here for the full article.
October 2, 2007
The following article appeared in the Citrus County Chronicle as an editorial under the
headline "Region's water supply must be protected".
With groundwater supplies in Central Florida increasingly stressed by population growth, a
recent meeting of 37 cities in the region, hosted by the St. Johns River Water Management
District, was another wake–up call that Florida's water supply is finite...
click here for the full article.
September 9, 2007
We can avoid plight of the Everglades
Sam Lyons, Director of the Amy H Remley Foundation.
The following article appeared in the Citrus County Chronicle.
In my capacity as a member on the Coastal Rivers Basin Board, the Amy H Remley Foundation,
and the Kings Bay Association, I often find myself delving into various articles and books
pertaining to Florida's water resources. Recently, I finished reading, "The
Swamp, the Everglades, Florida, and the Politics of Paradise". This book is
not only an informative history of the Everglades, but also an accounting of man's near
destruction of this unique eco-system due to ignorance and greed. It is a book everyone should
read.
click here for the full article.
August 14, 2007
Notes for BOCC hearing 14 August 2007, CPA–07–05 Springs and Springshed Protection
Subelement,
by Norman Hopkins, President Kings Bay Association
The CPA–07–05 draft appears to fall short of the standard required for the
protection of Citrus County's springs.
The standards referred to are:
-
The specific requirements of FAC 18-21.004 (6), relating to our three southerly coastal
rivers which, as sovereignty springs and spring runs, together contribute millions of dollars
each year to Citrus County's economy, and,
-
The Department of Community Affairs manual "Protecting Florida's Springs", and
particularly page 21, referring to Primary Zones, upstream Secondary Zones, and Buffers
surrounding sensitive springshed features. Pages 51 and 52, of the same document, describe the
special protection afforded by buffers to separate environmentally-sensitive areas from a wide
variety of impacts, including; erosion, contamination of conduits, light and temperature
conditions of habitat, and containment of sediment, nutrients and bacteria before they enter
surface or groundwater.
I can find no reference to Sovereignty springs or spring runs, nor language as to protection
zones or buffers.
For information, the DCA document characterizes the Primary zone as the springshed's
major veins, while the Secondary zone is its kidneys. Each zone being vital to the springshed's
health and integrity, which cannot function as a healthy system without either one.
Within a protection zone, three buffer areas are described totaling an absolute minimum width
of 125 feet, (which could be much more having regard to karstic and soil permeability
considerations). It further states that these buffers need to be "clearly mapped,
marked on the site and enforced" and, "buffers (within prescribed protection zones)
are an integral part of any protection strategy...".
Moreover, FAC 18-21.004(6), requires buffer areas of 300 feet, for sovereignty springs and
spring runs, and prohibits water degradation by fertilizers and the like. This applies, for
example, to the case of Three Sisters Springs, a magnitude 2 tidally influenced sovereignty
spring complex which is also used as a manatee thermal refuge (see FAC 18-21.004 (2)(i) and 18-21.004(6)(e)).
Surely, policy reference should be made to these standards, and if a "one size fits all"
approach is taken to setbacks, then a more suitable figure would be the 300 feet as opposed to
fifty.
August 12, 2007
Bold leadership needed to protect Citrus County's springs and waterways
At the recent hearings on protecting Citrus County Springs, a parade of lawyers, and building
lobbyists attacked the rules for limiting their right to squeeze every possible piece of land
adjacent to springs and water bodies. They also vigorously oppose rule improvements that are
necessary to protect groundwater and surface waters. This is one front of a war on our
groundwater supplies and springs.
click here for the full article.
July 20, 2007
Rivard Redding, Water Resources Educator / Presenter for SWFWMD "Know Where It Flow"
program, presents the facts on Florida's water.
click here for the full article.
June 4, 2007
Received the United States Internal Revenue Service letter of exemption of Federal income tax as
a public charity under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
click here to view the letter.
May 24, 2007
Press Release
The quality of the water we enjoy is crucial to our very well being, our mental and physical
health; whether we drink it, bathe in it, or however we choose to use it, in our homes, or on
the lakes, rivers or springs of Citrus County. The Amy H Remley Foundation, Incorporated, a
public charity, is pleased to announce that is has been recognized under section 501(c)(3) of
the Internal Revenue Code, enabling citizens, corporations and public entities to make tax
deductible donations to the Foundation.
The Foundation was launched on March 7th, 2007, to raise funds to be applied to
projects to restore quality to Citrus County waters of whatever kind, and to educate the
citizens and particularly high school and college students, in the issues of environmental
science important to this community. The website at http://www.amyhremleyfoundation.org/
exists to further these aims. Please visit with us there and share your views so that may sense
what is of concern to the citizens of Citrus County in order that we may correctly apply our
efforts to your express purposes. Trust is in transparency.
May 21, 2007
The United States Internal Revenue Service today informed that the application of the Amy H
Remley Foundation, Incorporated for recognition of exemption under Section 501(c)(3) of the
Internal Revenue Code was approved.
May 19, 2007
Extract from statement made to Stakeholders Conference By Norman Hopkins, President Kings Bay
Association
- Number of active spring vents reduced
Of the six significant spring vents from the Kings Creek region flowing into southern Kings Bay,
only two now function at reduced flow rates. One of the original springs was deliberately closed
by a developer to run roads through the wetlands. One was closed by a householder. Two were
closed following the 1993 Storm of the Century, when tons of sediment washed out of the wetlands
as flood waters receded.
Of the total of eleven spring vents. including the original five spring outflows associated with
the adjacent Black Spring Cove area, the number of vents has been reduced by more than two
thirds.
Four additional spring vents into southern Kings Bay require further examination.
- Algal blooms follow
Until 2000, only minor algal blooms were to be seen locally. SAV consisted of Hydrilla, Nyad and
patches of Valisineria. Much wildlife could be seen, with many abundant species of fish, birds,
mammals and reptiles.
As algal bloom infestations increased, wildlife sightings decreased.
An explosive reproduction of algae occurred in March 2006, extending in hours over more than ten
acres (and into the manatee sanctuary area).
A similar but more extensive event occurred in March 2007 of the same algae. It was identified
at UF as Chaetomorpha, a marine algae which attaches itself to the bottom.
- Salty waters
Endemic salt water intrusions have penetrated into the southern Kings Bay area, not only from
storm surges from the Gulf, but also by tides following the reduction of aquifer spring outflows.
Slower water flow velocities allow algae to take hold more easily, and are inherently richer in
nutrient cocktail content.
- ERGO
- Begin to restore southern Kings Bay - by allowing the blocked springs to flow again.
- Take the land which has the spring vents on it into public ownership to maintain the spring
vents (some already is in public ownership).
April 12, 2007
Request to IRS to expedite Form 1023 submitted.
March 23, 2007
Receipt of Form 1023, application for exemption from Federal Income Tax with respect to The Amy
H Remley Foundation Incorporated, acknowledged by the IRS.
March 15, 2007
Form 1023 submitted to the IRS for 501(c)(3) certification for the Foundation.
March 9, 2007
Citrus County Chronicle newspaper article.
A newspaper article "Group believes its new technology can clean up algae in
Kings Bay" written by Terry Witt has appeared in the Citrus
County Chronicle explaining the project the foundation is supporting. The article can
be read online at:
http://www.chronicleonline.com/articles/2007/03/09/news/news30.txt
Also in the paper is an article on the mission of the Amy H Remley Foundation web site:
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Web site offers ecological insights
Education is one of the two missions of the new Amy H. Remley Foundation Inc. and the
group's Web site is being used as its main communications tool.
...
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March 7, 2006
Speaking at the meeting of the Kings Bay Working Group, Gary Maidhof welcomed the launch of the
Amy H Remley Foundation, as fulfilling Amy's wishes.
He recalled how Amy Remley originated the meeting, and further emphasized the need to educate
the public in local water quality issues, in order that the people should participate in the
restoration of a balanced ecology, to improve water quality in the County. He was pleased to
note how the Amy H Remley Foundation was a firm step towards achieving that aim. Gary Maidhof is
Director of Development Services for Citrus County.
February 15, 2007
New technology applied to tidal waters produces startling effect on limiting algal nutrients.
It was revealed at a meeting yesterday, that a significant reduction in nitrates and (more
importantly) phosphates, together with enhanced supply of dissolved oxygen and increased
microbial plate counts, were measured in before and after water samples at a licensed laboratory.
It was argued that such reductions in supply of limiting nutrients would inhibit algal growth
rates, including those of the troublesome Lyngbya sp. by cutting down their food supply. The
novel technology served to increase microbial activity which accounted for the benefits by non
invasive natural means. The operation of the technology was continuous in the tidally influenced
flowing water over a period of two months.
February 12, 2007
Florida Department of State affirms Incorporation of The Amy H Remley Foundation, Incorporated.
The Florida Department of State certified the filing of Articles of Incorporation for The Amy
H Remley Foundation, Incorporated effective on February 9, 2007.
February 2, 2007
New web site for The Amy H Remley Foundation.
The new web site built by David and Norman Hopkins is being built.
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