Join Us for a Special Rivers Coalition Meeting to Support Our Troubled St. Lucie Estuary as the Gates are Now Open!

Sugar Cane Growers Cooperative to Address the Rivers Coalition and Answer Questions!

This month we host representatives from the Sugar Industry.

The timing is perfect as we welcome David Goodlett and Tom MacVicar.

David Goodlett currently serves as Vice President of Government & Community Relations for Sugar Cane Growers Cooperative of Florida (SCGC) located in Belle Glade.  He is responsible for political and governmental strategy as well as interfacing with elected officials in the local, state and federal arenas. 

Thomas K. MacVicar, a registered professional engineer, is a private consultant specializing in the water resource and environmental issues of South Florida.  Mr. MacVicar spent 16 years on the staff of the South Florida Water Management District and for the last 18 years has been a private consultant.

They will answer the hard questions supplied by our members. Your attendance is of utmost importance as we face the beginning of yet more damaging discharges from Lake Okeechobee.

Upcoming Meetings

Thursday Sept 27 11:00 am - 12:30 pm

Wednesday October 24 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm - Night Meeting

On Wednesday September 19 the River Kidz and other Rivers Coalition members gathered at the locks to protest the damaging discharges.

Please visit http://youtu.be/IYYMQarR8Fs to see a short video of the River Kidz in action. Thank you to everyone that came out!

What's Happening at the September 27th Meeting?

Starts at 11:00 AM

Rivers Coalition public meetings are held at the city of Stuart commission chambers, 121 SW Flagler Ave.

Everyone's support is needed!

Business Matters

•    Chairman’s Comments - Leon Abood

•    Special Presentation - David Goodlett, Vice President & Consultant

      Tom MacVicar - The Sugar Cane Growers Cooperative

•    Committee Reports - Liz Elliott

•    River Kidz - David Brown/Jacqui Thurlow-Lippisch

•    Rivers Coalition Defense Fund Update - Karl Wickstrom

•    Speakers Bureau - Todd Weissing

Coalition  Reports

•    Local Issues & Estuary Water Quality - Mark Perry

•    WRAC “Water Resources Advisory Commission” - Mark Perry

•    Federal & State Issues-CERP/IRL & Lake Okeechobee - Kevin Henderson/

      Paul Gray

•    ROGER “River of Grass Estuary/Everglades Restoration” - Ted Guy/

     John Marshall

Government & Agency Progress Reports

•    Martin County Updates - Don Donaldson

•    South Florida Water Mgmt District - Boyd Gunsalus

•    FDEP - Mary Murphy

Speakers Bureau!

On Tuesday, Sept. 18^th, Jim Harter spoke with approximately 30 members of the 27-80 Paddlers club at the Palm City Community Center. The audience was informed as to the issues and shared our passion for a clean river and lagoon.

There is a solution. For ways you can help please visit http://www.RiversCoalition.org also for more information on the Rivers Coalition Speakers Bureau contact Todd Weissing at (772) 223-6743 or ctodd_weissing@ml.com.

Click here to email us.

Please find below some of the photos from the protest of the polluted freshwater discharges on September 19 at the St. Lucie Locks.

The River Kidz "2nd Annual Lemonade Stand and Clean Up" at Sewall's Point Park was a success!

About 70 kids and their parents turned out to pick up trash as part of the Martin County Coastal Clean Up, and the Kidz made over $700 dollars in donations at their lemonade stand. Artist, Brenda Leigh, oversaw the most impressive part of the gathering, the Kidz' painting of 60 recycled FDOT road signs with river and eco art. These signs will be displayed in public places at a later date to help raise awareness about the poor health of our rivers and the mission of the River Kidz. Everyday and famous people were there to show their support including the Indian RiverKeeper, a board member from the South Florida Water Management District, commissioners from Martin County, the City of Stuart and the Town of Sewall's Point. Sammi Sailfish was "guest of honor" and she shared her mission: water conservation, with the Kidz

River Kidz "2nd Annual Lemonade Stand & Clean Up" 2012 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EXctE5twVRM&feature=youtube_gdata_player

River Kidz Recycled FDOT Sign Project, 2012 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k68eAZFmxUE

Be sure to check out the River Kidz website, we have added some new items.

http://www.riverscoalition.org/riverkidz.php

Also, make sure you check out the newest addition: 10 Things Every River Kid Should Know! http://www.riverscoalition.org/10things-riverkidz.php

Check out the River Kidz on MCTV!

River Kidz on MCTV singing the River Kidz Anthem!

River Kidz Poems on MCTV!

Sign the River Kidz petition on change.org! The petition is asking for all government agencies to limit agricultural fertilizer running into the rivers.

This is an ongoing petition. Please show your support and sign!

Click Here to Sign the Petition!

Please friend us on Facebook or go to www.riverscoalition.org to learn about all the cool things we are doing!

Rivers Coalition is a Eco-Voice Sponsor!

How to Become a Member?

Membership is free! If you are interested in helping save the environment of SW Florida, you may join Eco-voice by going to www.eco-voice.org and selecting subscribe.

Click Here to Join Eco-Voice on FaceBook.

Ted's Articles of Interest

Engineers draining Florida's Lake Okeechobee as water levels continue to rise

Officials drain full lake into St. Lucie River

Rivers Coalition: Lake Okeechobee water release poison for St. Lucie River

CBS News Channel 12 Coverage from the Releases

WPTV News Channel Coverage from the Releases

S-80 spillway webcam

Lake Okeechobee

Pollution discharges, FS website

O overflow?

C-44 discharge

David Guest commentary

Big Sugar

Pumps for the L-8 rockpits

Bad bills

Six more years before we see increment N 

Don't forget to get your name on the Donor Honor Roll!

Click here to see if your name is on the list.

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Thank you for all your support.

Editor: Jessica Briske

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