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The Florida Defenders of the Environment, in partnership with the St. Johns Riverkeeper, has filed a notice of intent to appeal to the Fifth District Court of Appeal the Final Order of the St. Johns River Water Management District (SJRWMD) granting a permit to Sleepy Creek Lands, LLC to withdraw a staggering 1.46 million gallons of water a day from the already-stressed Floridan Aquifer.
Sleepy Creek Lands intends to operate a massive cattle operation only twelve miles from Silver Springs, a vital tributary to the Ocklawaha River. At its July 14, 2015 meeting, the SJRWMD Governing Board voted unanimously to grant a 20-year permit to the agribusiness venture.
During prior hearings on this permit, the applicant revealed that the 9,500 head of cattle planned for Phase I of this 3-phase project will produce nearly 158 million pounds of manure and 11 million gallons of urine per year. In addition, 700,000 pounds of nitrogen from fertilizer will be used to grow grass and crops to feed the cattle.
Florida Defenders’ President Steve Robitaille said, “we have always brought solid science and legal expertise to the defense of the Ocklawaha River watershed and the protection of endangered natural resources. Our decision to appeal the Sleepy Creek Lands, LLC permit is a reflection of our long held belief that agencies charged with protecting these resources must be held accountable when private interests put public welfare at risk.”
The aquifer is already critically over-tapped in the Silver Springs springshed. The fertilizer and manure will increase nutrient pollution in the Silver and Ocklawaha Rivers. The flow of Silver Springs has already significantly declined on average by more than 30 percent, and nitrate concentrations in the springs have increased 20-fold over healthy background levels.
“Sleepy Creek Lands failed to demonstrate that this project is consistent with the public interest,” says St. Johns Riverkeeper Lisa Rinaman. "Allowing our over-pumped aquifer and polluted waterways to be further degraded for the economic benefit of a private landowner is completely contrary to the public interest.”
Florida Defenders of the Environments' participation in fights such as this defense of Silver Springs would not be possible without the support of our members. Everyone who has contributed to Florida Defenders is responsible for this fight to ensure future generations of Floridians have available, clean water and a natural environment.
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