Session Descriptions

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Watershed Welcome

This session will set the stage for everyone to spend the next two days learning about the issues and challenges facing the St. Johns River.  A brief history of efforts to protect the St. Johns River will be reviewed and ideas about about how to improve ecotourism, recreational access and use, funding, scientific research and local government cooperation over the next decade will be laid out.  The focus of the morning plenary will be the St. Johns River’s American Heritage Rivers designation and the actions needed to solve its problems and support its many uses.

Remarks and calls to action by:

• Council Member Patricia Northey, Volusia County Council
• President John Delaney, University of North Florida
• Mayor John Peyton, City of Jacksonville
• Jim Dickenson, JEA

Challenges:  Springs-- How do we Sustain and Restore Their Flows and Water Quality?

Moderator:  Tom Carey, Volusia County

This session will review problems and threats to springs in the St. Johns watershed, particularly in the Middle Basin, and statewide.  The panel will also present examples of lessons learned from other springs management efforts—what has worked and what has not.  A non-profit group, The Friends of the Wekiva, will review its efforts to protect and restore the Wekiva Springs and discuss how local groups can support and enhance restoration efforts.

Springs – Florida’s Sacred Waters

Robert L. Knight, Ph.D., Florida Springs Institute

Friends of the Wekiva—Lessons from a Local Initiative to Protect the Wekiva Springshed

Patricia Harden, Friends of the Wekiva

Local Responses to Springs Protection

Connie Bersok, Department of Environmental Protection - Florida Springs Initiative

Challenges:  Proposed Dredging

Moderator:  Ebenezer Gujjarlapudi, City of Jacksonville

The session will review the history of dredging in the Lower St. Johns River Basin and the economic reasons for dredging, as well as the potential environmental impacts of dredging.  The Jacksonville Port Authority will describe its recent requests for additional dredging to support economic activities through the Port of Jacksonville.  The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will discuss its review of those requests and the alternatives being considered before additional dredging is permitted.

The History of River Dredging

Dean Campbell, St. Johns River Water Management District

The Benefits of River Dredging

Joe R. Miller, Jacksonville Port Authority

Current Proposals and Impact Assessments

Steve Ross, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

Water Conservation:  Savor Every Drop

Moderator:  Brenna Durden, Esq., Lewis, Longman & Walker

As more people and businesses move to Florida, supplies of freshwater are under ever-increasing demands.  Water is essential for human consumption, agriculture, and commercial operations but also for a healthy environment and the flora and fauna that make up the river’s ecosystem.  The speakers will discuss potential water savings from current conservation practices and low-impact development and other methods to reduce consumption, particularly those efficiencies that can be implemented at the household level.   Lessons from other communities in Florida that have pursued water conservation will be presented.

Water Conservation Targets and Tools for the Next 10 Years

Hal Wilkening, St. Johns River Water Management District

Techniques to Change the Behavior of Water Consumers

Paul Monaghan, Ph.D., University of Florida

Local Examples of Successes and Challenges in Achieving Water Conservation

Wendy Nero, CH2M Hill

Other Speakers TBD

New Science--What We Need to Know

Moderator:  Stuart Chalk, Ph.D., University of North Florida

What new research is key to answering the management challenges that face the river?  What caused  recent fish kills and surface “foam” in the Lower St. Johns River Basin?  What are the effects of atmospheric deposition throughout the watershed?  Will proposed water withdrawals negatively affect fish and plant populations?  What monitoring and research are needed to answer the real questions facing the river?  How should state and local governments be spending scarce tax dollars to address river concerns?  Come to this session to learn more.

Hydrology Panel

• Pete Sucsy, Ph.D., St. Johns River Water Management District
• Leel Knowles, Florida Water Science Center
• Harley Means, Florida Geologic Survey
• Kim Ornberg, PE, Seminole County Public Works
• Pat Welsh, Ph.D., Universoty of North Florida

Water Quality Panel

• Jan Mandrup-Poulsen, Florida Department of Environmental Protection
• Sherry Brandt-Williams, Ph.D., St. Johns River Water Management District
• Radha Pyati, Ph.D., University of North Florida
• John Hendrickson, St. Johns River Water Management District
• Lawrence Keenan, Ph.D., St. Johns River Water Management District

Ecology Panel

• Dean Dobberfuhl, Ph.D., St. Johns River Water Management District
• Russell Brodie, Florida Marine Research Institute
• Kirsten Work, Ph.D., Stetson University
• Gerard Pinto, Ph.D., Jacksonville University
• Dana Morton, City of Jacksonville

Locally Resourceful Tourism for a Sustainable River Economy

Moderator:  Nels Parson, St. Johns River Water Management District

This session will show how the combination of favorable new policy by the U.S. Department of Transportation and formal recognition of Florida as the No.1 trails state in America positions all Florida for far-reaching gains.  Speakers will discuss the economic impacts of trails, and trails for fitness and health, multi-modal transportation and quality of life.  The session will also preview Visit Florida's trails-tourism website that launches October 4, and will conclude with a plan for locally resourceful tourism as the basis for a sustainable river economy.

Co-chaired by Herb Hiller of the St. Johns River Alliance and the Florida Greenways and Trails Foundation, and by landscape architect Steven Davis of the East Coast Greenway Alliance.

Introduction:  How Trails and Ecotourism are Vital to River Health

Herb Hiller, East Coast Greenway Alliance/St. Johns River Alliance

Florida Trails/Greenways Dynamic

The State of Trails and Greenways and New Initiatives in the St. Johns Basin

Jim Wood, Florida Department of Environmental Protection-Office of Greenways and Trails

Launch of the New Visit Florida Website

Jill Stewart, Visit Florida

Panel Discussion--Opportunity Responses

Transportation

Kim DeLaney, Ph.D., Treasure Coast Regional Planning Council

Economic Development

Bryan Nipe, Seminole County

Fitness/Health

Brent N. Fulton, M.D., Green Acres Medical Exercise Associates

Quality of Life

Christopher Pilinko, The Parc Group

Next Moves

Steven Davis, Landscape Architect, Jacksonville

Herb Hiller, East Coast Greenway Alliance/St. Johns River Alliance

Challenges:  Sea Level Rise

Moderator:  Kraig McLane, St. Johns River Water Management District

In coastal areas, sea level rise is a management issue that is difficult to address.  It is a particularly important factor for the St. Johns River, which has very little slope in its watershed.  Small changes in the height of the Atlantic Ocean could greatly influence the tidal range and therefore the plants and animals that live in and along the river.  The panelists in this session will review the state of our knowledge of the potential impacts of sea level rise and the potential local ramifications for those changes.  The panel will also review the example of the Florida Everglades and how our region can learn from this approach and findings.

Potential Effects of Sea Level Rise on Local Communities

Karl Havens, University of Florida Sea Grant Program

Assessments and Implications of Sea Level Rise on the St. Johns River

Scott C. Hagen, Ph.D., University of Central Florida

Lessons Learned from the Everglades Sea Level Rise Assessments and Methods

Kris Esterson, PG, PBS&J

Glenn B. Landers, P.E., U.S. Army Corps of Engineers - Jacksonville District

Challenges:  Reconciling Water Supply Issues

Moderator:  Tom Carey, Volusia County

Determining how to meet future water supply needs for the river and the growing human population is a significant challenge.  Florida’s water demands continue to grow while the state’s primary and best source – the Floridan aquifer - is under stress.  Increasing the use of alternative sources such as the St. Johns River and desalination of ocean water is more expensive for utilities and ratepayers, and river water withdrawal proposals have caused concern about potential impacts to the river’s ecosystem.  This panel will review several components of water supply challenges and examine examples of successful efforts to coordinate demands and infrastructure limitations, share technical knowledge, and develop pragmatic approaches for action.

Case Study:  Central Florida Coordination Area—Lessons Learned

Hal Wilkening, St. Johns River Water Management District

Ramifications for Utilities of the New Water Supply Plan

David Richardson, Gainesville Regional Utility

Ecological Concerns about Future Potable Water Demands

Quinton White, Ph.D., Jacksonville University

Commercial Responses to Water Supply Regulations

Stan Posey, PCS Phosphate

American Heritage River Initiative:  Examples from other Programs

Moderator:  Mark Middlebrook, St. Johns River Alliance

Eleven years ago, President Bill Clinton designated the St. Johns River as an American Heritage River along with 13 other rivers around the nation as part of the federal American Heritage River Initiative (AHRI) program.  Each river system had its own approach for using its designation to locate funding, promote awareness and improve river conditions.  The St. Johns River Alliance can learn from other programs that have successfully created long-term funding sources, public support and improved conditions for historic, cultural and natural resources in those basins.  Selected AHRI programs will share examples from their experience that could be approaches used in the St. Johns River Basin.

Historic and Cultural Programs in the Hudson River

Vinny Tamagna, Hudson River Navigator

Water Quality Programs in the Cuyahoga River

Jim White, Cuyahoga River Navigator

Ecotourism Programs in the New River

Beth Cade, New River Navigator

Challenges:  Numeric Nutrient Criteria

Moderator:  Commissioner Brad Purcell, Putnam County

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has proposed new water quality standards for the nutrients nitrogen and phosphorus in Florida waters.  These proposed standards would remove the narrative standard in Florida rules and replace it with numeric thresholds for the maximum concentrations of nitrogen and phosphorus allowed in surface waters.  In many cases, the proposed standards are more stringent than the current rules require.  Many of Florida’s water bodies are considered to be impaired for excess nutrients and more water bodies would be designated as impaired under the proposed standards.  Since there are important ramifications to the State of Florida, local governments who have stormwater permits, wastewater facilities, and agricultural operations, the new standards and the way they will be implemented is critical to understanding and implementing the requirements, as well as to understanding the potential financial impacts to local governments.  The proposed standards, schedule, and issues will be reviewed by the panelists.

Status of EPA-Developed Numeric Nutrient Criteria in Florida

Annie Godfrey, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency - Region 4

State Actions to Develop Numeric Nutrient Criteria and TMDLs for the St. Johns River

Daryll Joyner, Florida Department of Environmental Protection

St. Johns County:  Local Implications and Activities in Response to the Proposed Numeric Nutrient Criteria

Andrew Ames, St. Johns County

Implications for Agricultural Operations from the Proposed Numeric Nutrient Criteria

Danny Johns, Blue Sky Farms

Topic to be annouced

Paul Steinbrecher, JEA

Challenges: Lakes and Tributaries Siltation

Moderator:  Kraig McLane, St. Johns River Water Management District

Many of the region’s lakes and streams are being filled by sediments and causing issues for navigation, water quality, and plants and animals living in the river.  This panel will review sources of sediments, the state’s regulatory structure to prevent sediments from entering the water, local programs to control sedimentation, and federal efforts to improve the navigability of Florida’s waterways.  These efforts and more are critical to sustaining the health and flow of waterways and tributaries.

Rules, Standards and Best Management Practices for Erosion Control

Melissa Long, Florida Department of Environmental Protection

Case Study:  City of Jacksonville Programs for Monitoring, Compliance of Construction Activities, and Surface Water Turbidity

Ebenezer Gujjarlapudi, City of Jacksonville

Federal Efforts to Manage and Remove Sediments in the St. Johns River

Mike Hollingsworth, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers – Jacksonville District

Historic and Cultural Issues

Moderator:  Herb Hiller, East Coast Greenway Alliance

The St. Johns River has a rich past as America’s “first river” explored by Europeans, and yet many residents and visitors are not familiar with its historic and cultural resources.  There are individuals and regional groups that preserve the watershed’s unique history and culture and educate people about the issues that face the river and its system as a whole.  This panel will highlight some of the river’s most interesting historic and cultural facets and provide a unique educational opportunity that no one who lives or works in the St. Johns River Basin should miss.  The panel will also look at the political challenges, both past and present, which have faced environmentalists seeking greater protection of the river.

A Brief History of the St. Johns River

Bill Belleville, Author

Promoting Cultural Resources and Protection

Nancy Maddox, Volusia County

Art History of the St. Johns River

Mallory O'Connor, Santa Fe Community College

Riverside-Avondale:  Preserving and Promoting an Historic Community on the St. Johns River

Carmen Goodwin, Riverside Avondale Preservation Inc.

RIVER FUNDING AND COORDINATION

Regional coordination and significant funding are needed to implement St. Johns River restoration programs and projects.  The costs of restoration and meeting regulatory requirements have important economic ramifications for the region and need to be addressed.  While the river’s designation as an American Heritage River has been significant, ongoing efforts are needed to enable the river to meet water quality standards, to fund the science to understand the most cost-effective projects, and to promote ecotourism and public access to an improved river.

State and Regional Funding for River Programs

Moderator:  David Strickland, EverBank

This panel will discuss potential ideas for developing additional state funding sources for capital improvements, stormwater treatment, fisheries research, ecotourism, and public education and outreach.

• Senator Thad Altman, Melbourne
• Senator John Thrasher, Jacksonville
• Mayor Richard Crotty, Orange County
• Mayor John Peyton, City of Jacksonville
• Kirby Green, St. Johns River Water Management District
• Greg Strong, Florida Department of Environmental Protection

Federal Funding Opportunities and Issues

Moderator:  Mario Taylor, Northeast Florida Regional Planning Council

This panel will discuss potential new federal funding sources dedicated to river restoration and supporting the St. Johns River American Heritage River Initiative program and new federal mandates.

• Jim Giattina, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency—Region 4
• David Hobbie, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers—Jacksonville District
• Jim Dickenson, JEA

Congress of Local Governments (Sponsored by ULI North Florida)

Moderator:  Steve Seibert, Collins Center for Public Policy

This panel will highlight the financial needs of local governments as they cooperate to meet state and federal water quality requirements, particularly total maximum daily loads (TMDLs) for nutrients.  These nutrients come from many everyday sources and are a particular challenge for local governments to reduce.  Opportunities for the sharing of projects, funding, research and technology will be discussed.

Representatives from:

• Brevard County
• Clay County
• Duval County
• Flagler County
• Indian River County
• Lake County
• Orange County
• Osceola County
• Putnam County
• Seminole County
• St. Johns County
• Volusia County