Lake County Fiscal Rangers

Local Lake County Water Levels to Be Discussed tomorrow, May 31 in Leesburg

Updated:  To add longer letter from Diane Heitman about water level issues in the Superpond. vj

If you are concerned about the water levels in the "SuperPond" of Lake County, which are Lake Dora, Lake Harris, Lake Eustis, etc. then attend this 6pm Leesburg Meeting tomorrow night, May 31.   As you may know, Lake water levels have been dropping, partly because the St. John's River Water Management District turned off the water flow from Lake Apopka.  At the same time, until recently, dredging of Lake Beauclaire was also removing another 10 cubic feet per second (CFS) from the lakes.

Here is the info from Diane Heitman, who has been monitoring this - below the initial notice is an attachment for the meeting agenda, followed by a longer letter by Diane on the water issues in the Superpond.

vj

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Harris Chain lake level management public meeting May 31 in Leesburg

The St. Johns River Water Management District will hold a public meeting May 31 in Leesburg to discuss potential water level management options for the Harris Chain of Lakes.

The meeting will include an update on minimum flows and levels development, and will be an opportunity for the public to provide input.

The meeting will begin at 6 p.m. at the Paul P. Williams Fine Arts Center, 9501 U.S. Highway 441 in Leesburg.

The District's Governing Board will consider the proposed management options for the next year at a June 12 public meeting in Palatka.

Please pass on to all friends.

Diane Heitman

In favor of Waterfront Property Owners, Businesses and Municipalities who rely on our Superpond

Chain of Lakes for enjoyment, economy, employment and prosperity.

Feel free to call my cell:  352-343-8891

Below is the agenda

Download Agenda - Lake_Level_Mgmt_Public_Mtg_053112

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From Diane Heitman:

Please read, do you agree?

Here we are again, way below the desired lake level elevations.

Let's make it a goal to never have to apologize when the rains don't come; this is not about praying for rain; it's about planning for the lack of rain.

How can we improve reliability of our lake water levels? Do not let the water out unless conditions show that an impending flood maybe eminent. Base the new regulation schedule and minimum flows (cfs) on a dynamic (actual rain event) versus a static, academic, unsuccessful regulation schedule.

Nature gives natural fluctuation; let's preserve every drop of life giving water in our lakes.

History shows a 5 year drought cycle. We cannot manage the water levels based on a model; each year is different. Holding maximum water is critical for the economic future, navigation, access and quiet enjoyment of lakefront businesses, owners, events and municipalities of Lake County.

The Harris Chain of Lakes is designated by the Federal Government to be a navigable waterway. Low water levels are interfering with navigation.

The Dora Canal is too low. Business operators, the Sheriff boat and numerous individuals hit logs or don't have enough room for other boats to pass in the narrowed, now shallow canal, causing damage and/or the need to replace expensive propellers.

Challenges with lower lake levels and being unable to navigate our waterways to businesses, public docks & residences are causing serious issues with jobs and financial security to our friends here in Lake County.

Year round waterfront attractions and events generate multitudes of economic prosperity, sales taxes & benefits to all of us. These benefits are being jeopardized by lower lake levels.

Our boathouses are high & dry; either land locked and/or we are forced to remove the boats to storage elsewhere. Neighbors are mowing the grass 30' from their sea wall out into the lake without getting their feet wet; ain't good. Waterfront property owners are highly taxed; they expect and should have continuous access to the federally navigable waterways. This benefit is unavailable during low lake levels; property values decline; however, taxes don't reflect this loss.

We feel great empathy for our Northern friends that have bought here as seasonal waterfront property owners.

During their time away, their tax dollars continue to work for us here. Why would seasonal, lakefront property owners come here without access to their boating enjoyment? Many of their boats are now landlocked in their boathouses and cannot be used until water levels increase.

We locals are forced to apologize to our family, guests and tourists who may have planned up to a year in advance to come here and enjoy our now compromised lakefront resources.

Some of we, older Americans, are challenged physically to manipulate our boats with the lower lake levels. Luckily, Mt. Dora, Tavares and Eustis have provided floating docks; however, the local business man such as Boondoggles & Hurricanes can't count on us being able to step up, out and off the boat. Instead of quiet enjoyment of recreational boating; extreme manipulation is faced as undesired; hence, not worth it; hence, loss of business.

Consumers don't come back or cancel plans with low water experience.

Let's make it a goal to never have to apologize when the rains don't come; this is not about praying for rain; it's about planning for the lack of rain.

Thank you for your support of our restoration and water management with an emphasis of maintaining and storing water for the use during drought years.

Diane Heitman

In favor of Waterfront Property Owners, Businesses and Municipalities who rely on our Superpond, Chain of Lakes for enjoyment, economy, employment and prosperity.

Feel free to call my cell: 352-343-8891

 

 

 

vj

Another Florida Special "District" Incurs Excessive Costs Without Oversight

Jan. 16, 2012 - A Mosquito "Control District" in Lee County, FL with a $22-million budget has run up such high expenses that a Florida Representative has filed a bill to abolish the district and shift its responsibilities to the Lee County government.   A retired executive director is the 11th highest paid retiree in the Florida State retiree system. He is collecting over $170,000 in retirement income, which is more than any Lake County staff earns working full time.   Here is their website.  The original article from SunshineStateNews.com is below.

FiscalRangers.com has consistently reported how the state of Florida does not provide adequate business controls or spending guidelines for about 2000 special local government agencies in Florida, including water districts, hospital districts, county and constitutional officer agencies, CRA's ( and now here is a mosquito district that overspends all others in Florida. We have periodically reported fiscal fiascos in Lake County operations, mismanagement or questionable practices in local agencies like the North Lake County Hospital District, and also reported problems found in other Florida Districts, including voter fraud allowed by Election Supervisors, CRA's and hospital districts.   

However, this article doesn't provide much information indicating serious problems, other than one legislator commenting about the highly paid retiree and their large budget (which could be justified according to a document on the district's top webpage).   At the very least, it seems an  independent performance audit is needed, and a salary review to determine if salaries or spending (such as for aircraft purchasing vs leasing) is appropriate.

In some cases, some special districts practice abuse of power, such as the recent issue where the St. Johns River Water Management District arbitrarily shutoff all water flow from Lake Apopka to Lake Dora.  They did it purely for water "quality" reasons and are not required to perform an independent, objective economic impact analysis on such decisions.

Basically, Florida State government provides a process for legislators to create these agencies, but there are no clear spending metrics, operational guidelines or periodic State level performance audits to detect problems early.   There isn't even a required, independent County wide internal audit function with full audit authority except for a few County Inspector Generals created due to excess corruption.

The next time you meet your local Florida elected official (Rep. or Senator) ask them why they accept any pay from taxpayers when they don't provide adequate oversight on these local organizations.   Or, maybe tell them they lost your vote until there is professional oversight and guidance over these organizations.

Additionally, as a result of reviewing this article, we found that Florida Gov. Scott has issued an Executive Order 12-10 "Review of Special Districts" which assigns his Office of Policy & Budget (OPB) to perform a review of ALL 1600 Florida special districts.  The Executive Order is HERE.  FiscalRangers.com will publish another article on just this Executive Order after I interview some people.  HERE is the press release on this OPB assignment.   

Vance Jochim

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http://www.sunshinestatenews.com/print/4364746   <<< Go to see article with picture

Lawmaker: Mosquito District Stings Taxpayers in Lee County

By: Kenric Ward | Posted: January 16, 2012 3:55 AM

Published on Sunshinestatenews.com  

Gov. Rick Scott's probe into expenditures at the state's special taxing districts might want to start at Lee County Mosquito Control.

With an annual budget of $22 million, Lee's mosquito district spends more than 46 other mosquito districts -- combined.

"There's no excuse for it," says state Rep. Paige Kreegel, who has introduced legislation that could abolish the district.

Scott last week directed his Office of Policy and Budget to review and make recommendations for cutting costs at some 1,600 special districts levying more than $15 billion in taxes each year.

The governor previously ordered investigations of hospital and water management districts, and has now expanded the scope to all special districts.

Mosquito districts have flown below the political radar because most operate on budgets under $2 million. Even populous counties such as Miami-Dade run their mosquito eradication programs on less than $3 million.

But Lee County, in Southwest Florida, is a glaring exception. With a seven-member elected board and 68 employees, the independent mosquito district's payroll works out to an average of $118,000 per worker.

The district also holds the distinction of having the 11th-highest compensated retiree in the state's pension system. Former executive director T. Wayne Miller, who retired in 1994, currently receives $172,027 a year.

Most counties place mosquito-eradication duties under public works or other departments. Kreegel has found that counties that operate independent districts, such as Lee's, "step up in price to do it."

"The personnel costs are $8 million, and that's a problem" said the Punta Gorda Republican, pointing to Lee's top-heavy staffing. The local mosquito board has two more members than the entire County Commission.

Operationally, Lee's district spends more just on spray, fuel and helicopter maintenance than the total mosquito budgets in neighboring Charlotte or Hendry counties.

Kreegel has introduced House Bill 1395 to require a referendum on the big-spending district. Lee County residents could vote to abolish the district and transfer all assets and liabilities to the Lee County Commission.

Wayne Gale, executive director of the Lee mosquito district, calls HB 1395 "a drastic measure to abolish a district that no local people seem to have a problem with.

"This was pretty much a surprise to us and the county as well.

"We are large because we have the largest mosquito problem in the state," said Gale, who explained that thousands of acres of state-managed salt marshes and islands within the district require aerial treatment.

"No other county has this type of topograghy. We do one-third of all the aerial larvae sightings in the state. Many areas are not accessible by vehicles," Gale said.

Gale reported the district maintains $5 million in reserves for self-insurance and has set aside $1 million for a future hangar.

"We have a lot of expensive aircraft," he noted.

Regarding the pending legislation, Gale said, "We've sent information to the local delegation to answer questions they've had."

Kreegel says "the [district's] defensiveness alone sets off alarms."

Kreegel, a physician, acknowledges it was the Legislature that authorized the creation of mosquito control boards, but says that times have changed.

"Back in the day, the work involved spraying diesel fuel and draining swamps. Now we have a mature industry. The chemicals that are used are generic and relatively inexpensive," he said.

"The governor has shined a light on the situation. It's time the taxpayers got some equity. Let the people vote whether they want this," Kreegel concluded.

Without specifically referencing mosquito boards, Clete Saunier, president of the Florida Association of Special Districts, predicted that the governor's investigation "will affirm that special districts are fiscally responsible, community-focused local government entities.

“Central to the discussions should be that special districts are created upon public demand, and help Floridians when local or state governments were either unable or unwilling to provide crucial services or infrastructure to a community," Saunier said in a statement.

Contact Kenric Ward at kward@sunshinestatenews.com or at (772) 801-5341.

 

Gov. Scott Issues Executive Order to "Examine" all 1600 Florida Special Districts

YAHOO!!!!

We found today that Florida Gov. Scott has issued an Executive Order 12-10 "Review of Special Districts" which assigns his Office of Policy & Budget (OPB) to perform an “examination” of ALL 1600 Florida special districts.  The Executive Order is HERE.  FiscalRangers.com will publish another article later this week on just this Executive Order after I interview some people.  HERE is the press release on this OPB assignment.   

The press release and the EO are similar to the earlier one establishing a Commission to Review Hospital Districts.   Last year I sent that commission numerous emails and articles about oversight weaknesses in not only Hospital Districts but other Florida Districts.   They just recently issued their final report of recommendations, including a number I agree with.

As our readers know, FiscalRangers.com has published numerous articles on weaknesses and problems in the various types of special districts, including CRA’s,

But, this is not a Commission to STUDY the issue, but a task order to the OPB to start a program to “Examine” ALL 1600 districts in Florida for performance, etc.    The objectives are in the EO and shortened versions are in the press release.    These are not the routine CPA type financial audits performed for most district financial statements, but much broader scope reviews to determine efficiency, justification, etc.

This policy means that in Lake County, there will be performance and oversight reviews of our special districts including the two Hospital Districts, the water districts (Lake County as well as the St. John’s River Water Management District), CRAs (Community Redevelopment Associations) and other districts.

I tried calling the OPB today before realizing all government offices are closed because it is the MLK holiday.   I will post another longer article on the blog by Wednesday or Thursday, and have more details, because to review 1600 agencies, they will stretch it out over several years and may be constrained by budget and staffing limits.

Finally, the State of Florida is taking oversight seriously over special districts.    And, FiscalRangers intends to be supplying information and ideas to the team conducting the examinations.  I am going to encourage that public hearings be part of the process for the examiners to receive feedback from the public on the justification and operations of the districts.    I expect many Districts to whine and complain, and they should get first priority.

Vance Jochim

Lake County Fiscal Rangers

Chief Fiscal Watchdog

Volunteers Searching for Ways to Improve Local Government Fiscal Management, Efficiency & Effectiveness

PO Box 1042

Tavares, FL 32778

Mobile:  352-638-3578

FiscalRangers@comcast.net

www.FiscalRangers.com   

TWITTER:  @FiscalRangers 

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CLICK HERE to see recommended internet links related to Local Lake County government fiscal issues.

 

 

 

Controversial Lake County Water Level Settings for Lakes to Remain Stable for Now.

Jan. 15th, 2012 - Tavares, FL

By Vance Jochim, FiscalRangers.com

The water levels in Lake County Lakes Dora, Beauclaire, Harris, Eustis & Griffin should now cease dropping due to a new Florida State water district policy demanded by many Lake County residents, boaters and FiscalRangers.com readers at recent public hearings.

The St. Johns River Water Management District Board ( "St. Johns District" ) is a Florida STATE agency which controls lake and river waters in about 15 Florida Counties including Lake County.  They have the legal authority to control and set water flow between lakes.  They held a Board meeting at their headquarters in Palatka, FL on January 10th and approved a revision of a previous controversial staff policy to shutoff water flows from the headwaters source of Lake Apopka to Lake Dora, Eustis, Harris & Griffin. That policy had been implemented in early December, and lake water levels in Lake County had dropped 3-6 inches in four weeks due to the policy.

This was after a public hearing on January 5th in Howey-in-the-Hills was attended by 300-500 citizens supporting different alternatives to the shutoff policy. 

You can read a lot of earlier background details HERE in our previous blog posting with links to articles in the local papers and TV station reports on Orlando Channel 9 and the Orlando Fox TV station.   http://webworks.typepad.com/lakecountyfiscalrangers/2011/12/update-lake-dora-water-flow-from-lake-apopka-shut-off-by-st-johns-river-water-management-district-.html  

Background:

The St. Johns District staff implemented a new "pilot" project for the second year that shutoff water flow from Lake Apopka to the Lake County lakes in early December.  It would have been in effect until April 14th.  As part of that policy, they also shut off water flow from Lake Eustis to Lake Griffin for the second year.   Lake Griffin water flows were thus much lower last year, and residents on that Lake attended a St. John's District meeting in early December in Apopka and lobbied for water flow to be opened up from Lake Eustis to Lake Griffin.   The result was that water levels in the "superpond" of Lake Dora, Harris & Eustis started dropping about one inch per week. 

On January 5th, after notices from this blog as well as local papers and emails sent to two large, local boating clubs, 300-500 people showed up and supported a new option that opened up water flow from Lake Apopka into the Superpond, and also expanded water flow from the Superpond to Lake Griffin. That new alternative was then discussed at the Jan. 10th St. Johns District Board meeting in Palatka and they approved the new option. The result should be stable water levels in the Superpond and Lake Griffin, but Lake Apopka will drop 2-3 inches. 

However, the new policy as defined by the staff, would only be implemented until Lake Griffin water levels are "restored", thus they could then shutoff water flow again from Lake Apopka.

My Observations:

I was at the January 5th and the January 10th meetings.

I was there today with two others from the Sunnyland Antique Boat Society.  We gave public input, as well as Robert from the BCC ED department and the executive director of the Lake County Water Authority.

Here is a link to their press release on our Lake Water level issue.  It described the new policy approved by the Board to allow 23 cfs (cubic feet per second) of water flow from Lake Apopka into Lake Dora (much better than the prior ZERO water flow policy), and also 23 cfs from Lake Eustis into Lake Griffin.

http://webapub.sjrwmd.com/agws10/newsrelease/ViewNews.aspx?nrd=nr12-003   

Notice they give staff direction to adjust water levels BACK to zero flow once Lake Griffin levels are “restored”

The Board approved the change of water flows and “The Board also directed District staff to make further adjustments as needed based on water quality and to shift to 0 discharges at all three structures once the benefits of the 23/23/0 cfs discharges and rainfall had restored the level of Lake Griffin.”

They never discussed or acknowledged that they would take economic impacts into their analysis.     Thus the above means once Lake Griffin levels are “restored” they will shutoff water flow again.

At no time, either at the Jan. 5th or 10th meetings, did staff indicate they would consider economic impacts as a factor in their water level decisions.  They even said at the Jan. 5th meeting that they did not develop any kind of economic impact study.

They did not discuss the affect of springs in Lake Apopka as a source of added water, nor did they make any commitment to maintaining a specific minimum water level in the Lake Dora/Harris Chain of lakes.

They did not discuss the volume of outflow of water from the locks which are opened every half hour.

Additionally, it appears to me that the Lake water levels they cite in their graphs are OFF from those we see in real life on local lakes.   The Chief of Staff said he would follow up on the apparent large discrepancy.   For instance, why can Channel 9 show reporter Berndt Petersen standing on the dry lake bed between docks on Lake Griffin and say the lake level is down THREE FEET while staff is saying that lake is only a few inches down?  Or, how can they say that Lake Dora is only down about 1 inch in the last month when two of us from the Sunnyland chapter of the Antique & Classic Boat Society each see a drop of 4-6” on Lake Dora.   I will personally follow up on that issue.

Here is a Fox Orlando TV report by Tracy Jacim after the Jan. 5th meeting.   

Additionally, it is clear that the spokespeople from the Lake County Water Authority ( LCWA - not the same as the St. Johns District - they have no authority for setting water levels, but they can lobby for policies) appear to favor ZERO water flow into the Superpond and agree with the staff’s early decision.   They are not interested in economic impacts except favoring highly fluctuating water levels favoring the fishing environment which contradicts the desire of boaters and waterfront owners to have water levels above the minimum water level standards at all times.  Thus it is my opinion we cannot look to the Lake County Water Authority Board for leadership on the water level issue.

The Dora Canal connects Lake Dora and Lake Eustis and is an important boating channel which is hard for boaters to use if water levels are down.  The St. Johns staff also said they would rely on the Lake County Water Authority to clear the Dora Canal to reduce concerns about low clearance through the canal.  The LCWA Exec. Director said at the Jan. 10th meeting that they had cleared the Dora Canal in the past – but that is not completely the experience of our boating members in the Sunnyland chapter.    The props on many of our inboard engined boats can get easily damaged by submerged logs in the Dora canal.  They need more clearance than most current outboard fishing or other boats and the shaft and structure holding the propellers are easily damaged by submerged logs and stumps.  I have been told that the Sunnyland Antique Boat Society will monitor actions to improve the navigability of the Dora Canal. 

There were no commitments to timeframes, unlike business which would always require a specific time for completion.

It really does not appear anyone has previously questioned the St. Johns staff or board on the validity for their minimum and maximum water levels, the “regulated” levels, or the lack of economic impact analysis in their decision making.  If permits related to waterfront projects require environmental impact studies, why aren’t their decisions subject to economic impact studies????

Conclusion:

For now, the Lake County lake water levels may remain stable due to the impact of having 300-500 citizens appear at the Jan. 5th meeting.

However, the St. Johns District staff still seems to focus on Lake Apopka water quality much more than the economic impacts of lowering water in the Superpond and Lake Griffin. 

But, now this blog and other Lake County boating groups will be monitoring their actions much more closely.

Additionally, thanks to support from Lake County Commissioner Leslie Campione, the St. Johns Board was presented with a Lake County Board resolution on the matter.   She also said they would look into having the Lake County Economic Development Dept. create an economic impact analysis related to Superpond Lake issues.  Such an analysis is needed, since the St. Johns staff has not expressed an interest in developing one.

Vance Jochim

FiscalRangers.com 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Updated Jan 15th: Lake Dora water flow from Lake Apopka shut off by CAT People at St. Johns River Water Management District

Updated Jan. 15, 2012 to include Fox Orlando interview link to their website.

Updated Jan 9, 2012 after the meeting:  The Lake County public hearing of the St. Johns River Water Management District meeting was held Jan. 5th to discuss water level management practices affecting Lake County lakes.  Our update with conclusions and our recommendations are in section PS8 at the bottom of this document.  (Several updates added to section PS8 with the latest on Jan 9th).  Links to local media articles on this meeting also added to section PS8 thru 1/9.  The ST. John's Board is having a Baord meeting in Palatka on Jan. 10th to decide their actions, and we will post a NEW article.

Tavares, FL - Dec. 27, 2011 (Updated 4pm, Jan. 4th) - Water levels in Lake Dora & downstream lakes are dropping due to actions to completely shutoff water flow to them from Lake Apopka.  Alien CAT People working at the St. Johns River Water Management District started shutting off water on Dec. 8th from Lake Apopka to Lake Dora and all Lake Countians should get organized. (True, except for the CAT reference (:-))  )

A public hearing for Lake Countians has been scheduled for Jan. 5th at 5pm in the Mission Inn in Howie-in-The-Hills and details are below in the PS1 section.  We encourage all readers concerned about dropping water levels in Harris Chain lakes to attend the meeting.  You will see a presentation from the staff of the St. John's River Water Management District about why they have turned off all water flow from Lake Apopka to Lake Dora and other Lake County lakes.  Our observations are that water has dropped 5 inches in four weeks, and is dropping about 1 inch per week.  You can also give public input on your concerns about lower lake water levels - not being able to get boats out of docks, dropping property values, and not being able to get a boat through the Dora Canal.   Please be there!!

We expect numerous attendees from Lake Griffin, plus members of the Sunnyland Antique & Classic Boat Society plus members of the Triangle Boat Club.

This is an update on the issue of water flow being shutoff as pf December 8th, 2011 from Lake Apopka to Lake Dora and downstream lakes by the St. Johns District staff , when hardly any of them or members of their board live in Lake County.  There also was no previous public hearing for Lake Countians that we know of.  Lake Griffin has suffered dramatic drops in water levels, and Lake Dora is down by about 5-6 inches in the last 4-weeks since the water shutoff was implemented (my estimate based upon the canal I live on).   After the Lake Apopka Restoration Summit on December 14, the staff agreed to increase the outflow of water into Lake Griffin but NOT allow water to flow INTO the Harris Chain from Apopka, resulting in a constantly dropping water level.

Originally, we thought it was Lake Apopka area environmentalists doing this to Lake County, but a FiscalRangers investigation found that the St. Johns Water District staff are really CAT PEOPLE aliens who hate water.  Thus they have apparently  initiated a plan to shutoff all water flow to Lake County lakes so they don't have so many lakes.  (OK,  for those in Apopka, the Wekiva area or in the Ocala forest, that reference to Alien CAT People is a joke).

We covered the issue initially on THIS post along with news for a recent Lake County Board meeting where the water level issue was discussed on the meeting agenda.  About 50 people from Lake Griffin, and about 20 from local boat clubs showed up.   Commissioner Leslie Campione spearheaded a discussion and allowed public input.   The Lake County Board does NOT have authority over water levels but can use their bully pulpit to engage staff and Board members of the St. Johns River Water Management Distrist.   She agreed to contact them, and also write a letter on behalf of the board to request increasing water flow to Lake Dora and downstream lakes, including Lake Griffin, which is very low.    She also announced the public hearing below.

There will be a public hearing organized by the St. Johns Water District staff in Howie-in-the-Hills on Jan. 5th at 5pm at the Mission Inn to get "public input" on the water cutoff, and details are in the PS1 section below.

You can verify Lake County water levels, discharge rates and rainfall levels for each Lake HERE at the St. Johns webpage that tracks it.   Click on the links for the "Upper Ocklawaha River Basin.  The "Burrell Spillway" rates are the flow of water OUT of Lake Eustis to Lake Griffin.  Please bring your "NO CAT PEOPLE" poster to halt this dastardly feline plot by the ST. Johns Water District to lower Lake County lake water levels.  However, I live on a canal off Lake Dora and it seems to me that water levels have dropped about 5 inches, more than the charts show.  However, that could be that the "regulated" water levels vary by month of the year, while I am looking at an expected average water level marker.

HERE is the website page for the recent Lake Apopka Summit which was mostly to discuss Lake Apopka restoration efforts, but where the issue of dropping water levels was discussed.  St. Johns staff appeared disguised as real people, but we now know they are water hating Alien CAT People ((:-)).   Now they have all the presentations from the earlier Lake Apopka Summit on the webpage, so you can download them from HERE. 

Update Jan. 4:  Lake County Commissioner told me she visited the St. Johns offices today and also presented Lake County concerns to them.  She will be at the Jan. 5th meeting.

Quick - forward this email to other Lake County boat owners, Griffin Lake residents, waterfront owners and other residents and businesses concerned about dropping Lake water levels in Lake County.   Encourage them to attend the Jan. 5th Public Hearing.  Do this before the Orlando Sentinel's columnist discovers our research regarding CAT People aliens running the St. Johns Water District and writes a story on it. 

Bookmark THIS page for updates on the upcoming meeting and results which will be posted here in the sections below.

FiscalRangers.com Opinion (read the PS sections below for more background)

- The water level shutoff was done without any public hearings in Lake County that we know of.

- No Lake County agency has authority over water levels, not even the County Board or Lake County Water Authority. The effect is that the St. Johns District, headquartered in Palatka, FL  follows the UN Agenda 21 tactic of creating "regional" groups that can't be directly sanctioned by local voters and they are out of our voter control, but yet they control our water levels.  There is one vacancy on the Board for an area including western Lake County, but it may take 2 months yet for Gov. Scott to make the appointment, and not necessarily a Lake County citizen.

- Lake Griffin residents visited the recent Apopka Restoration Summit and lobbied to get a bigger water flow, which was APPROVED, thus increasing water flow OUT of Lake Dora, Harris & Eustis, while still not allowing any inflow of water, thus levels will drop faster.

- The Federal Corps of Engineers or the St. John's staff (not clear on this) establishes standard water flow rates, but the St. Johns staff shutoff ignores those standards, and an explanation how they could ignore the water flow standards and implement the shutoff is needed.

- The shutoff also seems motivated by a Lake Apopka support group and possibly environmentalists in the Water District, without any consideration of the effect on Lake County water levels, property values, economic development effects, etc.

- The St. Johns Staff are really Alien Cat People who don't want Lake County to have any lake water.  (snark, snark!)

- The recent Lake Apopka Restoration Summit (see below) and possibly the upcoming hearing may use the UN Agenda 21 tactic of developing "consensus" using a modified "Delphi" decision making technique actually designed to only present and obtain feedback leading to a staff pre-determined result.  Delays in public notices can be used to reduce opponents knowledge of the meeting, while favored groups will receive advance notice. (as of Dec. 29, the St Johns District still has not issued a promised press release or agenda on the Jan 5  meeting).  No actual VOTE of attendees will be taken on an issue, but the organizers will later announce a "consensus" was reached to move forward on the pre-determined objective.   Watch for that "consensus building technique" in any public meeting you attend. Watch for experts that only support one favored approach, and not alternatives.   Watch for no formal assembly of issues and recommendations before the group, and a vote.  Intead, later, only favored viewpoints will be documented and opposition information will be excluded.  This technique, in my opinion, was used to develop some land planning components in the Comp Plan for Lake County.  The issue of Agenda 21 or "Visioning" meetings to announce "public consensus" on pre-determined outcomes has been identified in numerous articles posted regarding the Obama administration and socialist tactics.  Watch for those tactics.

- It is possible some actions are needed to improve water quality and sound water flow management can be one of those tactics.  But Lake Countians need that information clearly presented so they can decide, not environmentalists or District staff.  That is the difference between freedom of choice and government defined outcomes.

Conclusion:

Lake Countians need to attend the meeting, provide public input, then afterwards send their opinions to the St. Johns River Water Management District Board, local Lake County Commissioners, and other agencies.  AFTER the meeting, we will update the PS8 and PS9 sections below with info on the meeting results and who to send your recommendations to. 

Vance Jochim

FiscalRangers AT comcast DOT com

Below are additional background facts and details on the Jan. 5th meeting:

Several articles have also been published in the Daily Commercial and Orlando Sentinel Lake section.

PS1:  Here is an update on the public hearing next week on January 5th.  I just received this from the Executive office, and apparently the press release will go out soon, so put this meeting on your schedule:

Information on the January 5 meeting: (from SJRWMD Sr. Assistant Marji Hightower)

SJRWMD Projects and Land Business Meeting:

Mission Inn Conference Center

10400 County Road 48

Howey-in-the-Hills, Florida  34737

5:00 PM to 7:30 pm

UPDATED 4pm, Dec. 29, the official St. Johns District press release about the Jan 5th meeting was finally issued after 4pm HERE.  They also updated and posted a "Get the Facts" page HERE on "Discharges Changed on Harris Chain of Lakes".  Fiscal Rangers also confirmed the meeting IS scheduled in a room that will hold 200 people at the Mission Inn, so plan to be there if you are concerned about water levels. (updated Dec. 29)

When any official press release about the meeting is posted, you should find it HERE. 

There is NO separate agenda for the Jan. 5th meeting.  Public input will be limited to 3 minutes per person, and spokeman for organizations can have up to 5 minutes.

PS2:  Links to SJRWMD website:

Main website:  http://floridaswater.com/

http://floridaswater.com/governingboard/representationmap.html    - shows Board areas

http://floridaswater.com/governingboard/boardmembers.html  -  shows Board members and bios - their pictures are disguised as "normal people" and not their REAL Alien CAT People images (:-)).

For additional information about Lake Apopka, contact David Walker, basin program manager for the St. Johns Water District, at (386) 329-4833 or dwalker@sjrwmd.com .

PS3:  Update Dec. 29 on vacant St. Johns District Board position - Currently there is a vacancy on the Board of the St. John's water district, and it is for the "area" that includes western Lake County, including Lake Dora, Harris & Eustis.  Lake County needs a representative on that Board.  Nominations have already been submitted by local Lake County organizations.  I talked to Gov. Scott's Appointment office today, Dec. 29, and was told some applicants have already been excluded and others are "in the pipeline", including one favored by many Lake County residents.  The limiting factor is getting time with Gov. Scott to discuss the applicants and for him to talk to them.  They estimated a decision will be made in January or February, but cannot be more specific.  (Added Dec. 29)

PS4:  Minimum Input on the Water Cutoff was Provided by Lake Countians - We were told by a St. Johns representative that they had told Board members of the Lake County Water Authority as well as the Lake Harris Chain of Lakes Restoration Committee about the water cutoff, and not much resistance was encountered.  It seems that the St. John's staff thought that just making presentations at those two groups was adequate effort to get input from Lake Countians.  It is not, in our opinion. 

You can read the minutes of the Oct. 19th, 2011 meeting HERE of the Lake County Water Authority (scroll down to page 4 and see section on "Temporary Changes in Management of Harris Chain of Lakes Levels").  The Board was told of the Lake County water level changes, but notice that there were staff recommendations to the Board, but the Executive Director recommendation was:  "No action required. For information only" which means they didn't act on the recommendations or publicize the issue.  I don't know if the issue received much publicity until the Lake Apopka Summit earlier this month when many vocal residents of Lake Griffin gave public input and word spread on the water shutoff.  (added Dec. 29)

PS5:  Standard "Natural" Water Flow rates from Lake Apopka to Lake Dora and other "downstream" lakes are defined by the Federal Corps of Engineers (need to clarify this - others say the St. Johns staff sets minimum & maximum levels)  as the "regulated" levels, but the St. Johns staff apparenlty ignored or waived those standards in a "pilot study" by shutting off ALL water flow -  so, their right to do so is questionable and needs explanation.

PS6:  Was the Water Shutoff Due to Excess Influence of Lake Apopka Environmental Zealots or Real Estate Developers?   Evidence exists that a Lake Apopka support group has pushed to increase the Lake Apopka levels to improve THEIR wetlands areas without considation for the downstream lake levels. 

PS7:  St. Johns webpage on the recent Lake Apopka Restoration Summit - Here is my comment I posted on that page today, Dec. 29, which may or may not be approved by them.  If you go to this page above, then click the link to see the main Lake Apopka page, you can see attachments of presentations made at the meeting:

"This meeting was about the restoration of the lake (Apopka), but kicked off a bigger discussion about the right of the St. Johns staff to arbitrarily shut off natural water flow defined by the Corps of Engineers from Lake Apopka to Lake County,  Lake Dora and other downstream lakes depending on that water flow.  This summary here ignores the 50 or so people from Lake Griffin that protested the water shutdown.  I cannot help notice that this meeting was held following the modified "Delphi Technique" used by environmentalists and UN Agenda 21 supporters to obtain local "consensus" by presenting pre-determined facts, organize and hear feedback, then ignore any negative questions, NOT hold any type of formal vote, and then announce a consensus was reached. 

A formal vote is needed by all stakeholders, and "consensus" should be a referendum of all stakeholders, not a fixed meeting process to reach a staff determined goal.  Lake Countians are tired of the St Johns staff and board arbitrarily making decisions without formal votes or representation by Lake County on your Board. 

As of today, Dec. 29, the District still has not published the press release or agenda for the January 5th public hearing at the Mission Inn at 5pm.  Does that mean only favored attendees will receive notice of the meeting to get another "consensus"?"  ( Update:  Magically, I received the press release and a VERY brief agenda statement after they got this comment and a link to this blog posting - vj)

Vance Jochim - FiscalRangers.com

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PS8:  This section PS8 added Jan. 6th, AFTER the public hearing:

PS8: Post Meeting Synopsis -  Jan 6, 2012 - (by Vance Jochim, FiscalRangers.com ) The public meeting was held last night attended by about 300 members of the public.  It was standing room only.  

The staff of the St. Johns River Water Management District gave a Powerpoint presentation on the current water level situation related to Lake Apopka, Dora, Eustis Harris (also known as the Superpond) & Lakie Griffin, current practices, reasons why they shutoff all water flow from Lake Apopka to Lake Dora and downstream lakes, and then presented five staff selected alternatives for discussion.   Five members of the St. Johns Board plus their Executive Director and several staff were present also.  They allowed all who wanted to provide public input for 3 minutes do so, and about 50 speakers gave public input (inlcuding myself), including some elected officials, city managers, representatives of the Sunnyland Chapter of the Antique & Classic Boat Society, two other local boat owner groups, etc.    All were concerned about lower water levels in all the lakes and questioned why no water was being transferred from the source lake, Lake Apopka, to the other lakes.

The St Johns staff will post their Powerpoint soon, and you should be able to find it on this webpage:  http://www.sjrwmd.com/lakeapopka/   .

HERE is a link to the Channel 9 TV segment on the water level issue effect on Lake Griffin, but not the meeting.

Here is an overview article in the Orlando Sentinel BEFORE the meeting.

Here is the Daily Commercial Article on the meeting - added Jan 8, 2012

Here is the Orlando Sentinel article about the Jan 5th meeting - published Jan. 9, 2012.

HERE is the link to the Fox Orlando 35 TV report by Tracy Jacim AFTER the Jan. 5th meeting with an interview of Riley Wardrip of the Sunnyland Chapter of the Antique & Classic Boat Society.  (added Jan. 15, 2012)

My observation of the staff presentation & public input is:

- Their focus on retaining all water in Lake Apopka is primarily a commitment to restoring Lake Apopka water "quality" by increasing water levels in Apopka to REDUCE the ratio of phosphorus in the water. 

- The staff publicly stated, when asked, that that there was NO ECONOMIC ANALYSIS prepared to identify the economic problems downstream caused by the elimination of water flow to the Superpond.   Thus their methods and priorities focus only on water quality and not economic effects.

- They base their standards of minimum and maximum water levels on OLD Corps of Engineers Data, and then claim they have power to ignore them to shutoff the water.   As one speaker asked, "that is illegal" to alter water flow from the standards and the staff said they notified the Corps of Engineers, but did not have to seek their approval.   This apparently is an unresolved issue of authority.   And, are the water level standards defined to meet environmentalist expectations vs more reasonable expectations?

- During the "rainy season" of the year, the St. Johns staff will release more water and drop water levels in case heavy rains or hurricanes drop "too much" water in the lakes.  However, speakers say that there has never been a situation where heavy rains or hurricanes caused water to overflow normal seawall levels.   Several speakers questioned the need to release water based upon a varying "regulated" level during the rainy months.  Why not HOLD the water to offset draugh and low rain times of the year, and the staff didn't really answer.

- People asked why the St Johns District or other organization have the authority and budget to clean all the logs out of the Dora Canal so boats can get through in low water seasons.  I have been told there is some Federal environmental rule preventing dredging or alterations, but no one had an answer.  

- Water levels could be retained at a higher level if more "water storage" facilities were created, such as the North Shore retention area of Lake Apopka, or a new project on Lake Harris.  The staff talked about these, but didn't include the possible storage data in their forecasts.  It seems to me and several speakers that adding water storage areas would help offset low water conditions in the dry months of the year.   That was not part of the staff alternatives.

- Staff alternatives - in the earlier blog details above, I discussed the risk of staff using the Delphi technique favored by environmentalists to gain "consensus" but only for their own pre-selected actions.    The cynic in me says this happened at this meeting.   The staff gave a presentation showing their justifications and then listed five alternatives, all based upon only changing water flows.   They listened to public input, but TOOK NO VOTE OF THOSE PEOPLE PRESENT.  They also did not add or alter their alternatives to include the public's proposals to include better water storage methods or give a larger ranking to economic factors vs just environmental considerations.  

- The Board did not make any decision - they will tour the lakes today, Jan. 6th, (who actually is giving the tour and bending their ear?) and then discuss the public feedback at the next Board meeting in Palatka next Tuesday.  I will post another blog article when the results of that meeting are known.

RESOURCES:

Here is the Powerpoint shown at the meeting by the St. Johns District staff.

Download SJRWMD

Here is a shorter Powerpoint shown by Charles Clark, board member of the Lake County water Authority.        Download Charles Clark - Harris Chain Parity

 

FiscalRangers.com Conclusions & Recommendations:

- The St. Johns Board clearly knows more about Lake County concerns after yesterday's meeting with 300 showing up, in a standing room only room. They also should realize that economic impact concerns should have as much or more ranking as water quality issues when establishing water level management policies affecting Lake County lakes.

- The Board should implement option 4, which allows water to drain from Lake Apopka into Lake Dora, and from the Superpond into Lake Griffin.  (Lake Griffin is really low).  However, who knows if the staff recommended flow rates are appropriate?   However, rather than just this one action, they need to ALSO need to take immediate action and establish recommended policies described below.

- The Board needs to give a much higher consideration to economic issues vs just environmentalist concerns when defining water flow policies for Lake County.  They need an objective, professional economic analysis of the negative economic impacts on the Superpond and downstream Lake Griffin when water levels are low.  That information should be given a 50% weighting when approving water level management actions.

- The Board needs to investigate all the "water level "regulated" and minimum and maximum water level standards" cited by staff which may be really old, and determine if changes are needed.  They clearly need to examine whether a "regulated" level standard used to DRAIN water from the lakes in mid-year is really justified, when water RETENTION helps offset seasonal water level fluctuations.  This should be part of their announced Board action.  Why allow higher outflow during the rainy season when the water could be retained to offset dry periods?

-The Board needs to factor in all current and future water storage methods that would be used to offset the fluctuations in water levels between rainy and dry seasons.  Improving water storage methods should have as much priority as water quality efforts.   Doing so could result in "managed" acceptable water levels year around for all the lakes. 

- The St Johns staff should take a leadership action in finding a way and funding clearing out the Dora canal of old logs and brush to reduce damage to boats trying to get through the canal in low water level times.

- Citizens in Lake County need to keep monitoring and questioning the St. Johns Board and staff about their practices.   I recommend a public hearing for Lake County citizens every six months to ensure the District water management practices have visibility and the District keeps Lake County concerns and priorities in mind.

- Lake County leaders in the County Government, the Lake County Water Authority and the Lake Harris Restoration Council need to form a standing Lake County committee including boat owner groups, waterfront owner groups, water dependent business representatives, etc to monitor actions of the St. Johns River Water Management District to ensure we have a representative on the St. Johns Board,   They need to have funding to publicize the events and get public input and become active in lobbying the St. Johns Board for actions that benefit Lake County. 

- Lake County deserves a fixed representative spot on the St. Johns Board, and we shouldn't be split into "areas" where the Board representative is from a different County are area not part of the Harris Chain of Lakes.   The St. Johns Board should be asked to redraw their Board member areas to create one for Lake County and the Harris Chain.  

- If the St. Johns District Board continues to be unresponsive to these issues and concerns, Lake County leaders should consider asking Governor Scott to SPLIT the St. Johns District into a separate District just for the Harris Chain of Lakes, and ensure the new District's Board is made up on representatives from each affected lake area, rather than from some remote county or separate waterway.

This blog will now keep monitoring this action.  I videotaped the entire meeting, but it is too big for uploading to the internet.  Anyone who wants a copy on a DVD disc with five .AVI video files totaling 3.4gb should contact me.  Additionally, you can get the official Board audio recording of the meeting by calling the St. Johns District offices in Palatka, asking for Sandy Bertram, District Clerk at (800) 451-7106.  She can mail you a CD with the file on it.

Vance Jochim

FiscalRangers@comcast.net  

PS9:  After the Meeting, Send your Recommendations to THESE people and agencies:

    To be filled in after the meeting by Jan. 7th. v

vj