Friends of Lake Jesup

Chairman Robert King called the meeting to order at 7:10 p.m.

The July and August minutes were approved with the following corrections: Change $2,9000,000 to $2.9 million in the July minutes. Change Russ Rhode to Russ Rote, the rep from the USACOE, in the August minutes.

While the group was reading over the minutes, Bill Daniel asked Pete Milam, USACOE, a question regarding navigation on Lake Jesup. He gave Mr. Milam a copy of a presidential order that deemed the lake navigable.

Chairman King told the group about the voting process on the goals that were prioritized at the August meeting. He said the voting on each item was very close and he said the list presented really reflects the overall goals of the group.

Mr. Daniel addressed a definition of historic navigation on the lake, which was steamboats, Solary’s Wharf (near the now Black Hammock Fish Camp Restaurant) being the largest steamboat wharf in the entire river system.

The group approved the goals list, which will now be forwarded to the USACOE.

Mr. King reported that Carla Palmer, SJRWMD, who could not be at the meeting that night, wants to put together a working group of agencies, with the objective of gaining a memorandum of understanding of each agencies goal. All of the agency representatives present where in agreement with the concept. Regina Lovings, SJRWMD will coordinate a meeting on an upcoming Thursday in October.

Ms. Lovings gave an update on the culvert project. She said the project is at a standstill due to stalled negotiations for a flowage easement with the owner of the property on the north side of State Road 46. The WMD made an offer to purchase his property, which is primarily wetlands, but the WMD can’t meet the amount of his appraisal. She said the berm along the south side of SR 46 would be breached in a couple of places, with the support of the Friends. She said the WMD would have a 5-year permit that can be used to go back later and take down the whole berm.

Mr. Daniel made a motion to support the WMD request, Cecilia Height, Sierra Club, seconded the motion and the group approved it.

Ed Hayes, FFWCC, gave an update on the spoil disposal site. Mr. Hayes said he met with Paul Moore and the PW director for Sanford who said they would have no problem with the FFWCC using the site for spoil disposal as long as the engineers would sign off on the plan.

Faith Mobsby, Geneva Citizens Association, gave a report on a proposal by the city of Sanford to use Site 10 for bio-solids plants (human waste or sludge).

Ms. Height made a motion that the Friends send a letter to the Seminole County Board of County Commissioner to voice an objection to the approval of city of Sanford’s Sewage Treatment Facilities. Mr. Daniel seconded the motion. For discussion, Chairman King mentioned that the FLJ is negotiating with Sanford for the spoil disposition and he wanted everyone to be aware of both issues. He said he thinks there are some issues that need to be dealt with regard to the permitting on the project.

The group discussed the language of the letter. Chairman King suggested asking the BCC not to do anything that would do harm to the lake. Mr. Daniel agreed that this tact better addresses the goal of the FLJ. Ms. Height wanted to make sure that the BCC understands what the impacts are. Chairman King said he would take email input on the letter, will email a draft version, but will finalize the letter in time for the Oct. 9 meeting.

Chairman King asked Ms. Lovings where best management practices for Site 10 are and can he get a copy. She said she is trying to get a hold of the permit to read it.

Chairman King discussed a request from FFWCC for support from the FLJ for legislative funding to upgrade and increase capacity for Richloam State Fish Hatchery. He said this would directly affect Lake Jesup because of the need for bass hatchlings when the lake is cleaned up. He said if funding were provided, the hatchery would be online at about the time the lake will need to be stocked. Mr. Hayes said the FFWCC it would ask for $8.8 million over two years.

Mr. Daniel made a motion in support, Ms. Height seconded the motion. Chairman King said he would bring it up to Mr. Feeney when he meets with him on Monday, Sept. 24.

Chairman King gave a brief update on the nutrient budget, the American Heritage Rivers Initiative Middle Basin Advisory Committee, his upcoming meeting with Rep. Tom Feeney and his intention to join the Florida Lake Management Society and attend and upcoming seminar on muck removal.

The meeting was adjourned at 9 p.m.