PALATKA, Fla., July 15, 2008 — The St. Johns River Water Management District will hold a technical symposium Sept. 17–18 for the District’s scientists and its outside experts to discuss the first phase of the District’s investigation of potential cumulative effects of surface water withdrawals from the St. Johns and Ocklawaha rivers.
The meeting is open to the public, and public comment will be invited at the end of each day’s proceedings.
The meeting, hosted by the University of Florida Water Institute, will be held at the Hilton University of Florida Conference Center, 1714 S.W. 34th St., Gainesville. Preregistration will be required due to potential space limitations. Registration information will be available Aug. 1 on the District’s Web site, floridaswater.com.
As part of its commitment to protect the area’s water resources as surface water withdrawals are discussed, the District is evaluating the potential cumulative effects of water withdrawals on the water resources of the St. Johns and Ocklawaha rivers. While considerable analysis has already been conducted to estimate the amount of water that is available from these rivers to meet water supply needs while protecting water resources, District scientists and 14 outside experts of national scientific stature are studying possible scenarios and their potential ecological impacts to ensure estimated withdrawals would not have significant adverse effects on these rivers’ systems.
The two-day symposium is intended to afford the technical working groups that are conducting the study to become more fully aware of all of the interrelated aspects of the study, share technical information and exchange ideas.
The meeting will offer an opportunity for experts with diverse areas of expertise to collaborate and discuss any preliminary findings of the study as it relates to their disciplines and experience.
The meeting has been opened to the public to ensure that interested members of the public can be aware of the breadth of the District’s scientific effort and can provide comments.
The agenda will feature presentations by the lead scientists and members of seven technical working groups conducting the preliminary investigations, followed by research group discussion.
The District will provide live video on the Internet of the presentations and group discussions to accommodate members of the public unable to attend the workshop.
The public will be invited to offer comments at the close of each day’s session. Comment cards will be available throughout the meeting for members of the public wishing to raise issues or convey opinions in writing, or comments may be e-mailed to the District during and after the symposium. Prior to the symposium, an e-mail address for submitting comments will be added to the District’s Web site.
To learn more about the surface water withdrawal issue and the cumulative impacts assessment, visit the District online at floridaswater.com/surfacewaterwithdrawals.
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