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Some Resource. Some Battle.
The Riverkeeper monitors the Apalachicola from the upper
reaches at the Florida/Georgia line downstream 108 miles, through
the middle reaches around Wewahitchka, to the estuary and Bay
on the Gulf. Within this range, the Upper Reaches are the responsibility
of River Steward Chad Taylor of Marianna; the Middle Reaches
are the responsibility of River Steward Marilyn Blackwell of
Wewahitchka; and the Bay Area and overall supervision remains
under Dan Tonsmeire.
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FUTURE OF APALACHICOLA BAY HANGS ON WATER BATTLE
By Margie Menzel. Originally aired on August 25, 2009 : 88.9 WFSU-FM &
89.1 WFSW-FM |
The 19-year court battle among Florida, Georgia and Alabama over the river system they share has flared up again. Last month, a federal judge gave Georgia three years to get Congressional approval or lose Atlanta's main water source. But Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue vows to fight the ruling, and for those at the other end of the river system, the judge's deadline may come too late. Margie Menzel reports.
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JUDGE'S RULING BOOSTS FLORIDA IN WATER WARS
By Margie Menzel. Originally aired on July 20, 2009 : 88.9 WFSU-FM &
89.1 WFSW-FM |
In a dramatic ruling, a federal judge has ruled that Georgia must stop withdrawing water within three years from a federal reservoir outside Atlanta that is the city's main water supply. Click here to download a copy of the ruling.
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SPECIAL SERIES: APALACHICOLA
WATER WARS
By Margie Menzel. Originally aired on: 88.9 WFSU-FM &
89.1 WFSW-FM |
Listen to Dan Tonsmeire in parts two and four of a recent four
part series by Margie Menzel of WFSU radio on the Southeastern
drought and the "water war" with upstream users. In the words
of past Riverkeeper Dave McLain: "Make no mistake about it,
we're in a 'knock down/drag out' battle to protect and preserve
our River and Bay". The Riverkeeper recognizes four priority
threats to our resource that must be combated:
- Reduction of Life-Sustaining Freshwater
- Loss of Floodplain Habitat
- Point and Non-Point Source Pollution
- Explosive Growth and Development
The Apalachicola, despite these threats, remains at present an almost pristine resource of unique value to the state and the Region.
With the ominous in-state example of the Everglades cleanup and the huge associated costs, the Riverkeeper has to lead an effort to protect
and preserve this pristine resource against such a consequence in the years a ahead. Some resource; some battle.
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PERSPECTIVES: APALACHICOLA
WATER WARS UPDATE
Originally aired on June 12, 2008: 88.9 WFSU-FM |
Listen to a discussion of Florida’s
struggle for water with Georgia and Alabama – and learn about threats
to the Apalachicola River and Bay. Margie Menzel is the host
and included in the discussion are Jackson County Commissioner
Jeremy Branch, Franklin County Commissioner Joseph Parrish,
and Dan Tonsmiere of Apalachicola Riverkeeper.
Subscribe to this RSS feed for more Water Wars and Riverkeeper news: 
The Best Paddling on the Apalachicola River
Come join us the 4th Saturday of every month for a paddling trip in the Apalachicola watershed. The trips are free to members and $15 for non-members. Members can come go on as many trips as they like. Your guides will be Riverkeeper Dan Tonsmeire, Executive Director Andy Smith, or one of our great volunteer guides, Tom Herzog or David Morse.
We are convinced that to better protect the Apalachicola ecosystem we must increase the number of folks who get on the River, its floodplain, creeks, sloughs, and tributaries. It’s an amazing place with much to offer (view the "Paddling the Apalachicola" movie to see for yourself). The more folks that understand and appreciate it the more folks there’ll be who’ll support its protection.
Spaces on the Apalachicola Riverkeeper’s 4th Saturday paddle trips can be reserved by calling us at 850-653-8936 or emailing riverkeeper@apalachicolariverkeeper.org.
Click here to view. |
Florida may as well be known as the Paddling State. As you will see in this movie, the Apalachicola River and its system of tributaries and creeks makes the area a paddlers’ paradise and offers paddling options for everyone. "Paddling the Apalachicola River" was produced by the Apalachicola Riverkeeper. This project received financial assistance from VISIT FLORIDA®.
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Click here
to access Apalachicola River depth data gathered from a gauge
at Blountstown, Florida. Click here for more data gathered at the Blountstown gauge.
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