Five counties in Central Florida are trying to take up to 150 million gallons a day from the St. Johns River to keep up with new developments.
Standing in their way is Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry.
“Transfers of water outside the St. Johns River watershed should be a last resort,” Curry wrote in a letter to the Central Florida Water Initiative.
Curry’s stance comes to the relief of Riverkeeper Jimmy Orth. He warns that proceeding with the plan would lead to dramatic damage to plant, animal and human life along the river.
As fresh water is removed, ocean water is able to move farther inland. The salinity in the water can then greatly harm fresh water organisms like fish and grass.
“We’re extremely pleased and we applaud the mayor for coming out opposed to (the plan),” Orth said. “This community has gone on the record for many years as being opposed to water withdrawals. This idea of taking water out of the St. Johns in Central Florida is not a new idea.”
Mayor Curry is still looking to work with the CFWI to find a solution.
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