Wal-Mart holds meeting, gives no presentation about planned supercenter

Published 7/3/09 - High Springs Herald
Articles includes a site plan map shows the nearly 155,000-square-foot Wal-Mart Supercenter with accompanying parking low and retention pond area. Mill Creek Sink can be seen at the far right of the photo. Wal-Mart officials said they could not answer questions about the sinkhole, which sends water into an aquifer conduit that takes water to Camp Kulaqua and the Santa Fe River. Wal-Mart officials said Wal-Mart does not own that land and that questions should be directed to The First Street Group, which owns the sinkhole and the land around it.
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UNF hosts events focused on St. Johns River

Published Jun. 29, 2009 - The Florida Times-Union
On Wednesday, UNF's Coastal Biology Program is sponsoring "The River As We See It," an art exhibit that showcases artifacts, photography and paintings of the river. It will take place from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Jacksonville Main Library.

They are also sponsoring a lecture on "The Current State of the St. Johns River," from Noon to 1 p.m. Wednesday, July 15 at the Jacksonville Main Library downtown.
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Groveland's water-battle bill nears $800,000

Published June 28, 2009 - Orlando Sentinel
This small Lake County city has poured nearly $800,000 so far into its battle against a California bottling company's efforts to get its water from the Floridan Aquifer.

Niagara is asking the St. Johns River Water Management District whether it can pump as much as 484,000 gallons of water per day from its south Lake County facility, bottle it and sell it.
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Researchers: Slowing Apalachicola River flow harmful to marine life

Published June 28, 2009 - Tallahassee Democrat
Reducing the flow of the Apalachicola River could have detrimental effects on marine ecosystems, including fish populations, according to a recent study by researchers at Florida State University.

Using satellite ocean color data and an ocean model, the study found that years with low-river flow showed a lesser concentration of phytoplankton, a microscopic plant-like organism that serves as food for bigger organisms, Morey said.
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Bike Florida launches year-round touring program

Published 6/28/09 - Travel Video News
Tours will initially cover the 260-mile St. Johns River-to-Sea Loop, a richly historic route that includes America’s oldest city, St. Augustine; the Merritt Island and Lake Woodruff National Wildlife Refuges, state parks, country museums and beach swimming, with water taxi and houseboat connections.
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As water levels fall, districts join forces

Published June 27, 2009 - The Gainesville Sun
Two water management districts have begun working together on how to deal with declining groundwater levels in North Florida.

Employees of the Suwannee River and St. Johns River water management districts met earlier this month to determine why the water levels are declining and how to reverse the trend.
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Hillsborough shops offer canoe and kayak rentals

Published June 26, 2009 - St. Petersburg Times
Although Cribbs' business has declined over the years, it's not a reflection of the industry in the area. Just 23 miles down the road, business at the Little Manatee Canoe Outpost continues to increase.

Some weekends in the spring are so busy that all 45 canoes and 20 kayaks get rented, Ruddeforth said. Business slows a little in the summer, but on Saturday the Canoe Outpost had 70 to 80 customers, or about 35 boat rentals. On the same day, Alafia Canoe Rentals did about 30 rentals. But Cribbs said some weekend days she rents out as few as 15 of her 100 canoes and five single-person kayaks.
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