Life’s
most precious resource for plant, animal and human
survival is Water!
Question
is, “Is there
enough water? Is
this a local problem, or is it a state wide problem?
We first begin to hear about a drought, this
year, as area farmers and media brought it to our
attention through newspaper and television.
News articles appeared about how our ‘County
Officials were looking into ways to lessen the
hurting pain for potential flood victims who live
along the Yellow River Flood Plain and how restoring
the natural resources of the river are priorities for
Okaloosa county’. FEMA (Federal Emergency Management
Agency) currently is discouraging urban growth along
the Yellow River.
Several
articles have appeared in various newspapers speaking
of potential water shortages. On June
22
[2000] one such article said Okaloosa County water
system was in the process of constructing several
large 25” wells in north Okaloosa county, so the
county could provide badly needed water to south
Okaloosa county.
One major problem with the water in the
southern end of the county is salt
water intrusion. (sand & gravel aquifer draw
down and go salty)
This project of drilling water wells in the
northern part of the county was approved by Northwest
Florida Water Management District in 1998.
The next day, June
23
[2000] an
article appeared in the Daily
News, headlines read: “Water
Users Warned”.
The
NFWMD issued a water-shortage warning and requested
its 16 member counties take action to conserve
dwindling resources.
Officials cited dwindling surface and
groundwater stores in drought-ridden Northwest Florida
as the reason for the warning.
In reality, the entire state of Florida is
locked into a long drought.
There was an earlier news article which quoted
(FDEP) Scientists as saying :
“There’s not enough fresh water in Florida to go around.”
Okaloosa
residents can help solve the water problem for
themselves, their children and grandchildren for
generations to come.
This can be accomplished by actively showing
their support through signing of a petition supporting
the construction of a reservoir on Yellow River near
Milligan, FL. This
reservoir would provide an abundance of fresh water,
which could meet all of Okaloosa water needs,
providing a permanent solution and not a temporary
quick fix for the water situation in this county.
It would also possibly eliminate a very, very
costly project in the near future; the building of a
reverse osmosis plant in south Okaloosa county.
Area water utilities could also benefit from
the reservoir, through the development of a loop water
system, thereby providing a security back-up system
for their customers.
A
Reservoir on the Yellow River, flooded to 100’
contour would solve the long term water problems,
establish flood control, provide hydroelectric energy,
minimize sediment pollution, create a clean industry
which will provide jobs, needed revenue, and excellent
family recreation for all Okaloosa county. Don’t wait until we have a severe water shortage to take
proper action. It
will then be too late!
Help this steering committee by getting
involved and lending your support.
A state Senator from NWF once said : “if
the people will strongly band together to support a
project, the politicians will either have to support
the project or leave office.”….
Water
from a reservoir, deep wells, or desalination is three
choices which face our county commissioners. There is only one source where dollars can be generated by
means other than direct water sales.
Fees just from camping, boat ramps use, fishing
licenses, and hydroelectric sales, from the reservoir
could easily total millions each year.
I believe our commissioners felt the quickest
way to provide fresh water for the south end was
drilling deep wells.
They were right, but deep wells is not the long
term solution to the water problem. They should be looking for monies that will aid development
of the reservoir.
This
committee would like to point out other major benefits
upon completion of this Reservoir on the Yellow River.
They are:
-Provide
Flood Control to
the Yellow River Flood Plain.
Thereby eliminating expensive Federal Flood
Control programs, now active in the area.
It will slow erosion, through a more thorough
stabilization of control water levels.
-Hydroelectric
Generation could be a profit making idea which
could appeal to either of the two electric generation
companies in this area. Existing Federal regulation requires them to purchase this
power! It
is the cleanest method known to produce electricity.
Electric
companies can sale this hydroelectric energy to
anywhere in the United States, by Wheeling
Power through use of other electric companies
transmission lines.
By including a catch basin below the power
plant, to contain water used to generate power, we can
recycle that water back into the lake to use over and
over again, while still maintaining the river flow
below the DAM.
-Sediment
Deposits will be minimized in the Lower Delta
Region and East Bay, thereby having an economical
impact in aiding the sport as well as the commercial
fishers programs in Santa Rosa and Escambia
counties.
Over time, it could provide a firm bottom
bedding place at the mouth of the river, for shell
fish and enhance the environment along this delta
river system.
-
Bring Economic Development to north Okaloosa
county, providing badly needed revenues, skilled jobs
through new business expansions and tourism.
Development of real estate, shopping centers, resorts, new homes, and small
business establishments all follow the flow of people
to an area. Good
jobs locally, means families wouldn’t have to go
elsewhere to seek a good income.
This could become the third largest revenue
making industry in the county. (behind
Eglin AFB & Beach tourism)
People would come
to this area to enjoy the lakes boating,
fishing, and other recreational activities.
Did most people know where Santee, SC; or
Eufaula, AL, were before the building of a DAM and
creating large lakes? (Santee
Cooper reservoir & Lake Eufaula)
Of course not!
Now, these are booming communities that provide
needed jobs for families through the development of a
clean industry. When
commercial industries look to build in an area, a few
of the things they look for in areas are:
major accessibility; large work force availability; and good family
recreation. We
feel the reservoir will attract industry, both
large and small, and with this growth can come a
prosperous economy.
Garden
clubs should have an input in landscape design and
local species of plants to be planted in the many
parks around this lake, to see that it is something
beautiful, peaceful, and natural for everyone to enjoy
for many years. Something
Okaloosa county can be proud of.
Around this reservoir are 2
communities, 6
churches, and 10 cemeteries. Not
one will be moved,
flooded, or destroyed as you can see
from observing the maps.
This project has a sound economic basis and no
serious environmental consequences.
Six
points we wanted to bring forth was: Water;
Flood Control; Hydroelectric; Sediment; Economic
Development; and Recreation. With fresh water, being the primary objective of this
project. There are many benefits other than water, but, none as important as this
life giving resource.
In
closing, our intent is to see the development of a
new reservoir of approximate 10,000 acres, that is
flooded to the 100’ contour and which can meet
our water demands now, and a hundred years from
now. It can prevent flooding
along the Yellow River Flood Plain, produce hydroelectric
generation, help control
sediment deposits into East Bay in Santa Rosa
county and establishes a positive environmental impact
on the river system, by controlling the water level.
Brings economic
development which is desperately needed in
northern part of the county, providing skilled jobs,
through small business and industry attracted to our
area, and provide a much needed family
recreation.
We
are not against the county installing 24” water
pipelines between Crestview and points south, or
installing 25” wells in the northern county sectors.
But, we believe the citizens in this county
deserve better than a Quick-Fix solution to our water
problem. Our
tax dollars was hard earned, it is the result of
sweat, and in many cases hard labor, on our part, for
their part, they should spend it wisely. If our commissioners would take positive action this 2000
year, to have a reservoir built, we could possibly see
it producing in 10 years.
It would not be necessary to continue drilling
25” wells or to build a reverse osmosis plant, which
could save millions, and millions of tax payers money.
This is not a north vs south issue, this is a
county wide issue, which will effect every citizen .
We want our commissioners to see the best long
term solution for fresh water, which can benefit everyone
in Okaloosa county, not just the citizens who live in
the FWB area. Again, the permanent solution to the county’s water
problems is the construction of a reservoir, not
spending millions and millions of the taxpayers
dollars for quick-fix solutions every few years.
Spend
your money wisely, and you stand to gain a return on
it. I
believe this could apply to investing in a reservoir
on Yellow River.
If
you feel this solution is the right choice for our
commissioners to make, please support this worthwhile
project. Ask
candidates who ask for your vote, to tell you how they
stand on the Yellow River Reservoir issue, before
committing your vote.
Support those who publicly state they are in
favor of the reservoir.
Our
Regional Water Management’s vision is absolutely
imperative for growth in this area.
Without regional cooperation, I see our county
growth stunted.
Water is very, very critical.
Without adequate fresh water resources, there
is no growth and no future.
You
have the opportunity now, to make a difference in your
children and your grandchildren’s future.
Give
them life’s most precious gift to remember you
by, an abundance of fresh water, “Yellow River Reservoir.” They
will forever be grateful!
We
thank you for
allowing us this opportunity to share our vision with
you.
Written
by Jerry M. Mitchem
Crestview,
Florida
850-682-7119
PETITION
FOR A RESERVOIR ON THE YELLOW RIVER
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Groundwater
& Surface Water: Understanding the Interaction
- Water. It's vital for all of us. We depend on its
good quality-and quantity-for drinking, recreation,
use in industry and growing crops. It also is vital to
sustaining the natural systems on and under the
earth's surface. Groundwater is a hidden resource. At
one time, its purity and availability were taken for
granted. Now contamination and availability are
serious issues. Some interesting facts to consider...
Water
Resource Issues in Northwest Florida
Annual Report 1999 - While formed along
hydrologic boundaries, Florida's water
management districts were established as
regional entities by the Florida
Legislature so that water resource issues
could be addressed more effectively.
Regional approaches to water management
require looking beyond city limits, county
lines and even state borders. The
Northwest Florida Water Management
District, in turn, focuses on smaller
areas or sub-regions within its 16-county
area of responsibility to identify
regional solutions...
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