Florida Independent

Riverkeeper says water withdrawal study ignores ‘critical issues’

By Virginia Chamlee | 01.25.12 | 8:17 am

Earlier this month, a representative for the St. Johns River Water Management District gave a presentation to the Jacksonville Waterways Commission on a study analyzing water withdrawals from the river. The study, which will next be presented to the city’s Environmental Protection Board, aims to demonstrate how potential water withdrawals could impact Jacksonville. One environmental group worries that the study doesn’t fully address all of the problems.

Researcher fears the unknown in Georgia-Pacific effluent

By Virginia Chamlee | 01.13.12 | 6:00 am

Environmentalists and researchers have long felt fear when confronted with a proposed pipeline that will carry waste away from a Palatka paper mill and into the St. Johns River. For at least one scientist, it’s a fear of the unknown.

Earthjustice, Riverkeeper discuss challenge to state water pollution proposal

By Virginia Chamlee | 12.02.11 | 10:48 am

Yesterday, a coalition of environmental groups announced their decision to file a petition against the state Department of Environmental Protection’s “numeric nutrient criteria,” a set of water pollution standards they argue are not strong enough to fully protect Florida’s waterways. The Florida Independent spoke with both the St. Johns Riverkeeper, one of the plaintiffs in the suit, and Earthjustice attorney David Guest, who is representing the plaintiffs, to discuss the potential effects of the petition.

In new op-ed, Riverkeeper demands answers to questions about Georgia-Pacific pipeline

By Virginia Chamlee | 10.21.11 | 12:59 pm

In an op-ed published in today’s Florida Times-Union, St. Johns Riverkeeper Neil Armingeon writes that Floridians “deserve answers” about a nearly four-mile pipeline that would carry waste from a Palatka paper mill owned by Koch Industries subsidiary Georgia-Pacific into the St. Johns River.

State lawmaker stands up for Georgia-Pacific during Jacksonville city council meeting

By Virginia Chamlee | 10.19.11 | 10:00 am

During a Jacksonville city council meeting Monday, state Rep. Lake Ray, R-Jacksonville, spoke out against a resolution that would delay the construction of a four-mile waste pipeline from Georgia-Pacific’s Palatka mill to the St. Johns River. Ray, who also acts as the executive director of a business association that represents Georgia-Pacific, said a decision to delay the pipeline could be detrimental to securing Gov. Rick Scott’s help with other Jacksonville needs.

St. Johns Riverkeeper, city officials renew call for reevaluation of Georgia-Pacific pipeline

By Virginia Chamlee | 10.17.11 | 3:56 pm

At a press conference held today in downtown Jacksonville, leaders from the St. Johns Riverkeeper and the Jacksonville City Council again touted their firm stance against the construction of Georgia-Pacific’s hotly contested pipeline, which would reroute waste from the company’s Palatka plant directly into the St. Johns River.

Public workshop on state water pollution standards highlights concerns

By Virginia Chamlee | 10.06.11 | 8:05 am

An all-day public workshop on Florida’s hotly contested water pollution standards held Tuesday brought up several concerns about the efficacy, and accuracy, of the state’s proposed rule.

One GOP lawmaker’s push for a moratorium on commercial water permits

By Brett Ader | 10.03.11 | 1:11 pm

While intense community organizing and outreach effectively curbed the ability of private entities to withdraw water from the Wacissa River, a state bill filed last month would move to further protect an already strained Florida aquifer from corporate interests.

Possible delays for Georgia-Pacific waste pipeline

By Virginia Chamlee | 09.21.11 | 12:51 pm

Controversy surrounding a proposed 40-mile four-mile pipeline to reroute paper mill effluent from a small Palatka creek into the large St. Johns River shows no signs of dying down. A recently passed resolution by the Jacksonville City Council aims to delay the pipeline in order to further study its potential environmental effects.

No-swim advisory issued in Palm Beach due to bacterial concerns

By Virginia Chamlee | 09.19.11 | 8:09 am

A “no-swim” advisory has been issued at Jupiter’s Carlin Park Beach, over fears of high fecal bacteria levels. The advisory is in place until Mon., Sept. 26.