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FORCE
FRIENDS OF THE RIVERS COALITION E-NEWSLETTER
September 2014
Move Water South, US Land Sugar Purchase,
SugarHill Sector Plan and Amendment 1
 
We need a project to stop the destructive Lake Okeechobee discharges to the St. Lucie & Caloosahatchee Estuaries and this requires more land south of the Lake in the Everglades Agricultural Area. The land is needed for storage, conveyance and treatment of water moving south to the Everglades and the 2010 US Sugar farmlands purchase of 26,800 was not enough, but the 10-year option to buy more of the 187,000 acres is still available.
 
A recently proposed Sector Plan for changing the Land Use on some of these lands in Hendry County may jeopardize this purchase option. The State qualified for issuing bonds for the purchase four years ago and coming up in November, Florida voters will have the opportunity to vote for an Amendment 1 which will provide a new revenue source for lands purchase from the existing documentary stamp tax.
 
Mark Perry, Executive Director of Florida Oceanographic Society, will tie it all together at the Rivers Coalition meeting, Wednesday September 24th, 6pm at Stuart City Hall.
 
All concerned citizens are welcome, as always. There's plenty of free parking and coffee!
 
Agenda for Wednesday, September 24
Meeting - Wednesday September 224
6:00pm-7:30pm at: The City Hall - Commission Chambers
121 SW Flagler Ave Stuart, Fl 34994
 
Business Matters
• Vice Chairman’s Comments - Mark Perry
• Special Presentation - Mark Perry
• River Kidz of Martin County - Nic Mader/Jacqui Thurlow-Lippisch 
• River Kidz of St. Lucie County - Katy Lewey
• Rivers Coalition Defense Fund Update - Charles Grande
 
Government & Agency Progress Reports 
• Martin County    - Deborah Drum/Don Donaldson 
• South Florida Water Mgmt District - Kathy LaMartina 
• FDEP - Jason Storrs      
 
Coalition Reports
• Local Issues & Estuary Water Quality - Mark Perry 
• Indian Riverkeeper Update - Marty Baum
• 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
Port Salerno Mermaid & Pirate Party 
 
The Rivers Coalition will have a booth at the Port Salerno Mermaid and Pirate Party.
Adult and kids costume contests, dunk tanks, face painting, lots of food and fun!
 
Saturday September 27th from 11am to 7pm at the Twisted Tuna Restaurant
Please come join us and show your support for the river!
 
Volunteers are still needed for our booth, you can sign up here
 
River Kidz
 
Martin County River Kidz:
 
The "River Kidz 2nd Edition Workbook" will be coming out this fall and Jan 2015. It is a collaboration of "kids teaching kids" as the Marine Biology Class of Crystal Lucas at Jensen Beach High School reworked the first workbook for elementary students based on their high school learning experience of the SLR/IRL. 
 
This new art work is by artist Julia Kelly and will be made into bumper stickers to promote the new workbooks within the next few weeks! 
 
Who is in the mascot for the new workbook? MARTY THE MANATEE!
 
 
Most resent event: The International Coastal Clean-up Day: On Saturday, Sept. 20th, the River Kidz did a joint clean-up at the Hobe Sound Beach with the Earthsavers Crew from the Environmental Studies Center. 
 
 
 
 
 
Upcoming Event: Lines in the Lagoon:  On Saturday, October 18th, a kid's catch and release fishing tournament for the tri-county area (Martin, St. Lucie and Indian River). All entries sent in by photos. Event to follow in Downtown Ft. Pierce with lots of fun activities, prizes, raffles and food from Chipotle.  Face painting by River Kidz, ORCA, Everglades Foundation, Carl Hiassen book signing, and more.  
 
Please check on River Kidz Facebook and Riverscoalition.org for more information.
 
St. Lucie County River Kidz:
 
The River Kidz of St. Lucie and Indian River County and the Manatee Center will be hosting the River Kidz Fishy Halloween Party Oct. 12th from 1pm to 3pm at the Manatee Center in Ft. Pierce. We're asking the Kidz to create a fishy costume to wear (up-cycling is encouraged), we’ll create our own “sea creature” to take home while learning about pollution. Lastly, we’ll finish off with a fun trunk or treat, sea themed. This event is totally FREE for all kiddiez!
 
We’re looking for parentz to signup to decorate their trunks for the kidz. If you're interested, send an email to riverkidzslc@gmail.com
 
 
Ais On the Lagoon - Community Paddle
 
Join the Florida Oceanographic Society to celebrate National Estuaries Month by attending the Ais on the Lagoon Community Paddle, at 8 a.m. on Sunday, Sept. 28.
 
Estuary enthusiasts are invited to paddle across the Indian River Lagoon to this free educational event at the Florida Oceanographic Coastal Center.
 
Please RSVP at FloridaOcean.org
 
2014 Stuart Seafood Festival
 
We will be participating again in this year's Stuart Seafood Festival as the benefiting charity and with a booth to educate the public. Please join us for amazing food, live music and family fun!
 
Volunteers are needed for our booth, you can sign up here!
 
Speakers Bureau
 
The Rivers Coalition speaker’s bureau has had a busy couple of months with its community outreach program. We have had the opportunity to inform interested participants from the following organizations:
  • July:        Ft. Pierce Yacht Club & Ft. Pierce Rotary Club
  • August:   Manatee Center in Ft. Pierce & Tiki Event in Ft. Pierce
The Rivers Coalition will also have the pleasure of being the beneficiary of the following events:
  • 9/20-21   Jetty Jam in Ft. Pierce
  • 9/27/14   Mermaid and Pirate Party in Port Salerno
Thank You to everyone who participated in these events for your interest in our river!
 
If your organization is interested in having a speaker come to your meeting or event, you can request via email info@riverscoalition.org or by phone 772-225-6849 
Rivers Coalition is an 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.
 
Pass This Newsletter On!
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Thank you for all your support.
 
Editors: Jessica Waugaman & Olivia Sala
 
PO Box 2627
Stuart, Fl 34995
 
772-225-6849
www.RiversCoalition.org
 
 
 
 
Rivers Coalition • PO Box 2627 • Stuart, FL 34995
http://riverscoalition.org
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