The Apalachicola River needs your help NOW
Speak out for our River and Bay
Please urge Governor Charlie Crist and our federal representatives to adamantly OPPPOSE the plan to cut the flow of water from Lake Lanier that supplies the Apalachicola River. Our oysters are already in trouble. A cut in flow would be a tragic mistake not only impacting the Apalachicola Bay and the Gulf fishery for years to come, but could bankrupt many hardworking Panhandle communities.
Facts: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has proposed cutting current water flows out of Georgia by 517 million gallons a day - starting in 2 weeks. That would lower the river level by another foot from the already record low. The river is dangerously salty and we have already lost many oyster beds in the western part of the bay.
Even worse, under the proposed change Georgia would get to keep more water in reservoirs even after the drought breaks. If Gov. Crist does not stop the new plan, river flows could stay at the current low levels for years, even if storms dump gallons of rain on Georgia. That could be a death sentence for the river and bay, and cause many, many people to lose their jobs.
Florida officials say Gov. Crist has not agreed to the plan, but Crist and some other Florida politicians are being awfully quiet - silent, almost - about the threat our river and bay faces. Many news reports and knowledgeable sources in government say that Gov. Crist did agree to some sort of deal last week in Washington, when he met with the governors of Georgia and Alabama. Unfortunately, both those states now support a reduction in the flow to the river.
Georgia has successfully convinced many people that the city of Atlanta is about to run out of water. Georgia officials did not enact any water conservation measures until October. In fact, according to the Corps of Engineers, Lake Lanier has about 280 days of water left - even if there is no rain at all. Plus, there are other options for Atlanta.
Call or email Gov. Crist and our federal officials and tell them to adamantly oppose any cuts in the water flow for the Apalachicola River.
Gov. Crist: http://www.blogger.com/ or call (850) 488-7146
Sen. Bill Nelson: (202) 224-5274 bill_nelson@billnelson.senate.gov
Sen. Mel. Martinez: (202) 224-3041
Rep. Allen Boyd: (850) 785-0812
A community message from the Franklin County Oyster & Seafood Industry Task Force and the Apalachicola Bay Area Chamber of Commerce
Here's my letter to the Governor...
Dear Governor Crist,
My name is Kathy Robinson and I live in Apalachicola. Along with my husband Tommy and his brother Chris, we run Robinson Brothers Guide Service. Most of the 30 or so fishing guides that we book trips for not only make their living taking people fishing but they are also 3rd & 4th generation Oystermen, shrimpers, commercial fishermen, etc. (Most people who live here find it necessary to hold 2 or 3 jobs - My husband & I are also realtors) Their wives and families depend on the health of the Apalachicola River to sustain a way of life that is barely up to poverty standards in most other communities. This entire county is predominately based on seafood and fishing which attracts tourism. Even a foot less water sent down the Apalachicola River will have a devastating effect on life here as we know it, now and for future generations. We are also experiencing a major drought situation and are making do as necessary. If you allow Atlanta, due to their poor forethought and lack of planning to keep the water that we must have to keep the estuary alive, the entire Gulf of Mexico will be horribly negatively effected, not just the oyster industry, which has already felt the effects of the drought. Please do your homework, listen to the marine biologists who regularly study our pristine estuary which is the nursery to the gulf of mexico and please, please don't sell us down the river!!
Kathy Robinson
Robinson Brothers Guide Service
118 Commerce St.
Apalachicola, Florida 32320
850-653-8896
850-653-7196 (cell)
http://www.floridaredfish.com/
http://www.blogger.com/
REALTOR - Robinson Real Estate Company http://www.blogger.com/ 850-653-1653
Member:Apalachicola Bay Area Chamber of Commerce http://www.blogger.com/Carrabelle Chamber of Commerce http://www.blogger.com/Gulf County Chamber of Commerce http://www.blogger.com/Florida Guides Assn. http://www.blogger.com/Florida Realtors Assn.
