Boatless Fishing Forum, Reports, Info

I may have contacted you recently for support in opposing changes to County rules which would have lowered pollution standards so treated wastewater could be dumped into our canals. Many groups and individuals responded to my call for help and the proposal was tabled for further review and never reached the County Commission for a vote. The involvement of Broward’s environmental groups and concerned residents was central in defeating this measure and I very much appreciate your efforts.



Another issue has developed which could impact the classification of Broward’s 1800 miles of canals. The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) currently classifies our canals as swimable and fishable. A newly created Policy Advisory Board is tasked with developing an alternative classification system for FDEP. Discussions have occurred within the Policy Advisory Board which could result in the reclassification of our canals to ditches. This would allow a higher level of pollutants to enter our waterways, if approved.



As all of our waterways interconnect and eventually deposit any pollutants into the Atlantic Ocean or the Florida Everglades, further damage to these ecosystems would likely occur. Increased pollution levels will also create an environment which encourages the growth of algae and aquatic weeds in our canal system. In addition to impacting homeowners and boaters, the added growth would require greater use of pesticides. Without the use of chemicals these aquatic weeds would suffocate our canals.



This Tuesday, December 5th, I am asking the County Commission to oppose the reclassification of our canals from swimable and fishable to ditches. It is my hope to include our County’s opposition as part of our Legislative Program during the 2007 Session of the Florida Legislature. But, I would again ask for your assistance. If you are able to come to Tuesday’s meeting and add your voice to mine, I would greatly appreciate your help. I have attached for background the Agenda material provided for Tuesday’s meeting.



Our meeting starts at 10 AM in the Governmental Center , 115 S. Andrews Avenue , Room 422, Fort Lauderdale , FL. If you are unable to come, just send me a note opposing the reclassification of your canals and supporting my agenda item.



I sincerely appreciate your support and commitment to keeping our waterways clean and Broward County a beautiful community.



Thank you for all that you do.



Kristin

Thanks BF. I just sent an email in opposition to turning the canals into ditches.

This is my reply.

Ms. Jacobs, as a taxpayer, voter, and fisherman I support your opposition to reclassifying our canals to ditches.

I've included Ms. Wexler in this notice because she is the commisioner who represents my district. Please vote against any action that would increase the amount of pollutants into our canals.

I participate in several forums for sportsfisherman, one- the Boatless Fishing forum-represents largely Broward residents. That is how I learned of Ms. Jacobs position. We are watching this issue closely. We are personally invested in the health of our water systems for ourselves, our children, and the sportfishing industry that provides huge economic benefits to our county.

Thank you.

good time to stand up, there are alot of voices on the board......worries me enough that someone has even come up with the thought?? Count me as oppossed

Everyone should take the time to write to support Ms Jacobs !!

Wow, cannot believe what could happen to the unawares. She will have my vote from now on.

done. i hope our opinions are taken into consideration

Done... this is really scary guys... What would be next? dumping allowed in the close offshore waters?

Send K. Jacobs AND the commisioner for your area an email. I sent the reply above. If you can, get the agenda and show up. Politicians listen to groups better than individuals-especially groups that already agree with them.

question.... I don't belong to any of the organizations that should be aware of this ie; CCA, B.A.S.S. Save the everglades etc..These groups have people that lobby for them. Might we focus our energies in concert with them so as someone could attend that is well aware of how these procedings play out. The bonus is that the commision is aware of them as well. I'm not saying to pass the buck,but like most I'm at work and really can't afford to miss any time. I would hope that someone in the forum has that time frame open. Just a thought.

Rijkaard wrote:Your land is now my land too, your waters are the same waters I'm fishing in now, your worries are my same ones, so I sent an e-mail too to give my support to Ms. Kristin Jacobs, hope it will be helpful

Riccardo, I wish all our welcomed guests and relocates shared your awareness and concern.

Bring friends my friend!

Just sent an email to her too.

Amazing how just changing a name of something can effect the world...

Thank you everyone for taking the time to write an email.

I will try to adjust my day on Tuesday to attend the Meeting and let all know what happened, Anyone that would like to join me please Rsvp this thread, I know many work mornings, I just so happen to work nights so your emails are greatly appriaciated. I will contact my Commissoner and let her know how I feel her family is from south florida and many of her family are avid fisherpeople so I would think she is against this.

wish I could go to the meeting, but I'm away on a business trip, email sent to Kristen Jacobs....

Here's my email to the Commission:

Dear Ms. Gunzburger and fellow Commissioners,

I urge you to join Kristin Jacobs in opposing the reclassification of our canals from swimable and fishable to ditches.

As a native South Floridian and long time Hollywood resident, I grew up fishing the canals, intra-coastal waterways, beaches, and Everglades of Broward County and still do to this day. I've seen the fishing and cleanliness in South Florida's fresh and salt waters steadily deteriorate in my 50+ years as a resident, due to pollution, increased use, and over-population.

Additionally, I belong to a group of South Florida fisherman www.boatlessfishing.com , many of whom are Broward County residents, that wholeheartedly support opposition to reclassify our canals, and further, support and expect the protection of our county's freshwater and marine ecosystems.

Now is the time to take the necessary action to protect one of Broward County's most valuable resources. I thank you in advance for your support.

Sincerely,

XXXXXXXX
Hollywood

My email to Kristin and my local rep.

fish7days



Dear Ms. Jacobs:

Thank you for doing what is right !


I belong to a number of groups with strong interests in the preservation of our local fauna and flora. One of the groups frequently meets to net small fish from our canals for the informal study of diseases, population count and breeding behavior, all at our own expense. Another group has a strong interest in the algae free cultivation of aquatic plants. I am also an avid angler, though not as much in the freshwater canals of Broward, but in the Atlantic Ocean just off the coast of Broward.


One would think that we as a people have learned from our former actions as illustrated by the achieved results, but still we forge ahead in the same direction. Increased levels of pollution would certainly have disastrous consequences to our waterways, as well as the other two major ecosystems connected to them, being the Everglades and the Atlantic Ocean. My suspicion would be that this type of declassification is fueled by the selfish financial interests of a small group. I hope that I am wrong.

Please vote against the pending declassification and in the best interest of our environment for us and our future generations.

Sincerely,

Great emails guys. I'm still boneheaded enough to think that each voice counts. I'm curious about who would be behind the reclassification move. What could possibly be the reasoning? I'm sure the reason is $$$; but how do you sell it to the commision?

To find the Commissioner that represents your district, click on the district number that covers the general area in Broward County that you live in. When that commissioner's page pulls up, click on the district button on the page and a detailed map will appear for you to verify that Commisioner represents the district you live in. From there you can find their email contact info.

http://www.broward.org/countygov.htm

Don't dely, the meeting is tomorrow!

I telephoned "my" commissioner. Also some others. (They don't know I'm not in their district) There are 9 of them, and you can find their email addresses, and office telephone numbers here:

http://www.broward.org/countygov.htm

My message has been sent, and I believe my voice has been heard.

I also followed up with an email, which said:

Hello Commissioner:

Please consider this email my very strong opposition to any reclassification of our waterways which would allow any waterway, anywhere, to be downgraded by any government agency, or to become more polluted.

When the County addresses this issue, I expect your strong opposition as my representative and voice to be heard loud, clear, and unequivocably.

We must not allow any changes that will downgrade our most precious natural resources, lead to more pollution, or further endanger our environment.

Thanks,

BoatlessFisherman wrote:

I may have contacted you recently for support in opposing changes to County rules which would have lowered pollution standards so treated wastewater could be dumped into our canals. Many groups and individuals responded to my call for help and the proposal was tabled for further review and never reached the County Commission for a vote. The involvement of Broward’s environmental groups and concerned residents was central in defeating this measure and I very much appreciate your efforts.



Another issue has developed which could impact the classification of Broward’s 1800 miles of canals. The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) currently classifies our canals as swimable and fishable. A newly created Policy Advisory Board is tasked with developing an alternative classification system for FDEP. Discussions have occurred within the Policy Advisory Board which could result in the reclassification of our canals to ditches. This would allow a higher level of pollutants to enter our waterways, if approved.



As all of our waterways interconnect and eventually deposit any pollutants into the Atlantic Ocean or the Florida Everglades, further damage to these ecosystems would likely occur. Increased pollution levels will also create an environment which encourages the growth of algae and aquatic weeds in our canal system. In addition to impacting homeowners and boaters, the added growth would require greater use of pesticides. Without the use of chemicals these aquatic weeds would suffocate our canals.



This Tuesday, December 5th, I am asking the County Commission to oppose the reclassification of our canals from swimable and fishable to ditches. It is my hope to include our County’s opposition as part of our Legislative Program during the 2007 Session of the Florida Legislature. But, I would again ask for your assistance. If you are able to come to Tuesday’s meeting and add your voice to mine, I would greatly appreciate your help. I have attached for background the Agenda material provided for Tuesday’s meeting.



Our meeting starts at 10 AM in the Governmental Center , 115 S. Andrews Avenue , Room 422, Fort Lauderdale , FL. If you are unable to come, just send me a note opposing the reclassification of your canals and supporting my agenda item.



I sincerely appreciate your support and commitment to keeping our waterways clean and Broward County a beautiful community.



Thank you for all that you do.



Kristin

.. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. http://KJACOBSbroward.org is the link to her...........This email was originally sent to me, which I forwarded to Tommy, the FWC bilologists Lisa, Paul & every editor of fishing news,FS,fishing radio shows, to network, that I could find emails for,guides & others...I've spent as much time as possible trying to network everyone sending this to anyone that can write a letter...Will someone please put this up on the broward & dade topics for those that may not look at the environmental topics just for a couple days..Thanks.......Jerry, one day left

Let's give a big cheer for Kristin Jacobs and the Mayor and Commissioners of Broward County!



Here's the email I received this evening from Kristin Jacobs

Thank you for taking the time to contact me with your support for maintaining the classification of our canals and waterways as fishable and swimable.



Today, Tuesday, December 5 the Broward County Commission unanimously approved a position statement in opposition to any amendment to Florida’s laws, rules or regulations changing the classification of our canals and waterways to lower levels including ditches. The County’s position will become part of our Legislative Program as we travel to Tallahassee during the Legislative Session beginning March 6, 2007.



The Florida Dept.of Environmental Protection (FDEP) Designated Uses & Classification Refinement Policy Advisory Committee (PAC) is meeting Thursday, December 7 in Tallahassee. The committee will be receiving a letter from County Mayor Josephus Eggelletion stating the County’s opposition to any redefinition of our canals to a lower classification.



For your information, I am also copying the PAC staff coordinator Stacey Feken and asking her to distribute your message (forwarded with this email) to each member of the committee. FDEP Secretary Colleen Castille will also be copied your message. Even though Secretary Castille’s last day as Secretary is December 13, I am sure your concerns will be forwarded to the next Secretary of FDEP.



I sincerely appreciate your strong advocacy in support of keeping our canals and waterways clean for public use. If you’re interested, you can check out the PAC meeting information at http://www.dep.state.fl.us/water/wqssp/d_use.htm.



Thank you again for taking the time to fight for our waterways. You’re the best!



Kristin

Thanks to all!

That is a Great Outcome, Cheers