Protecting Rainbow Springs and Withlacoochee River: FDE promotes good water stewardship

"As part of Florida Defenders of the Environment's (FDE) work to protect water quality in the Withlacoochee River Basin, we are promoting awareness of the five most important actions individuals can take to protect water quality. These actions are summarized in the new FDE Water Protection Pledge(WPP).

This community education project, launched in spring 2006, focuses on promoting good water stewardship in the Rainbow Springs recharge area and larger Withlacoochee River Basin...."

Rest of the Article

SIGN the WPP HERE

Update on the Marion County springs protection legislation

The County has postponed action on the Springs Protection Act. Clearcutting has happened illegally near Rainbow Springs endangering the water quality. Two Marion County Commissioners (Jim Payton and Randy Harris) are up for re-election this year, please call their office in support of the Springs Protection legislation.

update


August 2006 Photos of the Rainbow River Ranch property by Dr. Ellen K. Rudolph
Go to: http://www.drellenrudolph.com/RRRslides/index.html

I took the above photos of the Rainbow River Ranch property (including the Cove) on August 22, 2006, from a variety of perspectives. I hope you will find them helpful in determining where clearing is now occuring and what it looked like in late August before clearing commenced.

The files are large so be patient if they open slowly on your computer...you are welcome to use the images for Rainbow River protection activities. My initial slideshow of RR images is still posted at:
http://www.drellenrudolph.com/rainbowriver/index.html


Dr. Ellen K. Rudolph
Photojournalist from Largo, FL
(727) 517-2767
Email: drellenr@aol.com

Rainbow Ranch development clearcutting photos

MORE Withlacoochee River-1

and more pics MORE Withlacoochee River-2

Copy of SWFWMD memo on clearcutting

SGCA Meeting: Speaker:Com. JIM PAYTON 9/17 2:30pm

Sunday 9/17/06; Time: 2:30 pm
Place: Oak Bend Mobile Home Park on 475A

River Rally-9/24/06

CELEBRATE! RALLY FOR THE RIVERS
When: Sunday, September 24 at 2:00 p.m.
Where: St. John the Baptist Catholic Church Auditorium; 7525 S. Highway 41, Dunnellon, FL
Music: Jon Semmes and the Florida Friends

Donations will be accepted for Save the Rainbow River Fund

Sponsored by Rainbow River Conservation,Inc.

P.O.Box 729, Dunnellon, FL 34430

quotes

Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has." --Margaret Mead

"If you think you're too small to have an impact, try going to bed with a mosquito."--Anita Roddick

"If you're not part of the solution, you're part of the precipitate." ~Henry J. Tillman

"Every individual matters. Every individual has a role to play. Every individual makes a difference." --Jane Goodall

Environmental Alliance of North Florida

Join the Environmental Alliance of North Florida, a coalition of environmental organizations to work as a common voice and force for change. EANoF

Rainbow Springs...one of 7 springs in Florida that are causing a "mystery illness"

"...Until state officials can get to the bottom of the mystery, Stevenson said, "if I was prone to allergies, I would be careful about swimming in these springs."

The reports of swimmers with rashes came from Wakulla Springs, Ichetucknee Springs, Wekiwa Springs, Rainbow Springs, Fanning Springs, DeLeon Springs and Blue Spring in the state park system. State records also show one incident that involved a snorkeler at Alexander Springs in the Ocala National Forest...." St. Petersburg Times Article