On April 13, the Governing Board of the St. Johns River Water Management District votes on a permit from Seminole County to withdraw an average of 5.5 million gallons of water a day (MGD) from the St. Johns River. Seminole County's Yankee Lake facility would eventually be able to withdraw up to 55 MGD.

This initial permit from Seminole County represents the beginning of an Alternative Water Supply (AWS) program that could eventually result in the withdrawal of over 260 million gallons of water a day (MGD) from the St. Johns and Ocklawaha, says Jimmy Orth, Executive Director of the St. Johns Riverkeeper.

In a time when local authorities are rationing lawn waterings and wildfires are a cigarette flick away, the idea of drawing down the St. Johns River seems preposterous. Central Florida papers like The Orlando Sentinel, Ocala Star-Banner and The Ledger have harped on the perceived mismanagement by the Water Management District in recent months.

"This is not just about the future of the St. Johns and Ocklawaha. This is a fight to protect all of our water resources in Florida--our aquifer, rivers, and springs."

What the St. Johns Riverkeeper asks Floridians to do (http://www.stjohnsriverkeeper.org/thirstthreatens.asp): Attend the SJRWMD Governing Board meeting in Palatka on Monday, April 13th at 1:00 p.m. where they will decide the fate of the Seminole County water withdrawal permit.

SJRWMD Headquarters
4049 Reid Street
Palatka, FL 32177

Send an e-mail to the SJRWMD Governing Board members and Governor Charlie Crist and let them know that you oppose surface water withdrawals and support water conservation.