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Marion's water in the crosshairs
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Location: Blogs The Green Zone an environmental blog |
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| Posted by: Dave Rhea |
7/19/2007 11:54 AM |
The Metro Orlando area is about to a load get "our" water to serve 25 Central Florida utilities. It is time for Marion County to grow up and get smart.
Our fine reporter Fred Hiers has been doing some fantastic reporting on some of the most important issues facing our community: water, energy and the thing that ties it all together – growth and development.
Fred reported in today's Star-Banner : "Almost 40 thirsty utilities from Central Florida met in Orlando on Wednesday with state water agencies to decide on future water sources and how to divvy up the supply.
"And on top of their list of what to siphon was the Ocklawaha River in Marion County."
This is the beginning of actual movement in the state to distribute water from "water rich" areas to "thirsty" areas. But that naturally begs the question: Why didn't they think about this stuff when they were paving over the whole bottom half of the state?
Then, just when my blood pressure starts to rise thinking about the State of Florida government giving "our" water to Orlando, I think: What is Marion County thinking about?
How can we judge some other town for being mindless about consuming all "their" water supply only to come breathing down our backs for more, when we too are mindlessly developing just about any green field in the area into high-density neighborhoods? Our county officials seem to amend the comprehensive land use plan every time the wind blows – and they aren't amending it to protect against rampant growth either. Hardly.
Fred's story continues: "'Eventually it's going to get tapped,' said Troy Kuphal, Marion County's water resources manager, who was also at the Orlando meeting...
"The St. Johns water district is now studying the river's minimal flow level. That is the point at which the river's environment and wildlife would be damaged if flows were lower...Bill Dunn, a St. Johns water district consultant, said at the Orlando meeting he estimated utilities could safely withdraw as much as 108 million gallons per day from the Ocklawaha without harm to the river.
"But Kuphal said when the 2009 study is completed, state officials will conclude that far less water will be available because Marion County's water use in the area would probably decrease the river's flows."
Whether or not we get smart about this problem, it is coming at breakneck speed. It isn't just Marion's growth, it is the whole state's that is affecting our water supply. We all need water, and it seems like whoever runs out first gets to tap into everyone else's supply.
So, there is no doubt that, right now, we have to do something about our water problem. It is not just "ours." Apparently, surface water such as the Ocklawaha belongs to the whole state. The best way for Marion County to begin to remedy this situation is for our leaders to get their heads out of the sand and enact some real/smart water conservation-related regulation. |
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