We are into our second decade of existence as an organization and it is hard for some of us to believe it has been ten years since Russ Fisher called us to talk about wastewater and the Little Wekiva River.

As a result of Russ’s determination and persistence, he was able to corral a small number of busy, but dedicated people to become immersed in citizen involvement. Consequently we have grown to over 300 members and have achieved a number of goals:

All this demonstrates that if citizens are willing to become involved, put in long hours and work within the system, (as well as not take 'no' for an answer), almost anything is possible, especially if you have the news media and the general public

on your side.

We have had three outstanding past presidents over the last ten years: Russ Fisher, Patricia Harden and Jim Thomas. They were the catalyst that galvanized the rest of us into action.

So we want to thank those many individuals who helped by spending long hours sitting through dull, dull public hearings and County Commission meetings, sometimes in the early morning hours; or who trekked up to Palatka, Tallahassee or wherever, in order to stand up for the safekeeping and protection of the Wekiva River

Basin.

To those we say 'Thank you,' but don't stop and rest. We still need you plus many more, for we are an organization of volunteers who devote our time, money and energy to a Just Cause - the next ten years will be equally hectic and never ending. It will require renewed effort by all of us.

We have learned that Maury Carter went to Tallahassee, where he was given the State’s counter-offer for his property along the Wekiva. He has since sent a counter to that up to Tallahassee. After a long space of inaction, it looks as if action is taking place once again in the CARL committee’s efforts to acquire this part of the Number One ranked Seminole Springs.

Some disappointment closed out the decade. A few of our successful actions were reversed, and the tricounty commissions have not showered themselves with environmentally sound decisions in the last few months of 1989.

Despite Lake County's words assuring the people that they were dedicated to protecting the Wekiva, some of their actions seemed to prove otherwise.

While calling for a 90 day moratorium on re-zonings within the Wekiva River Protection Area, the commission allowed several large projects to be exempted, namely Hollywood, Inc., and three PUD's between State Road 46 and County Road 46A. They also permitted a 75 acre peat mine.

FOWR had rallied a good turnout for the November County Commission Hearing on Lake County's Comprehensive Plan and were placed in a somewhat embarrassing position when the hearing was cancelled without enough notice for us to properly inform our supporters. When the commission scheduled a hearing on the exemption of the above mentioned developments from the 90 day moratorium, we were not given enough time to assemble a fair turn out representing the interests of the river. On the other hand, we were told that the developers' interests were heavily represented. We need more members in Lake County who can attend meetings on short notice. If you are a Lake County resident and would be willing to attend County Commission meetings with little advance notice, please let us know.

The Wingfield Reserve, Lots 5 and 6 had been discussed at a November Seminole BCC hearing, and we were heartened to have the commissioners vote 4 - 1 to prohibit the relocation of a stream, requiring further study of the issue. Our optimism was short lived, when the engineers came back with an equally unacceptable plan and the commlssioners voted in favor of this design. Noteworthy was Pat Warren's single dissenting vote. FOWR is grateful to Commissioner Warren for not supporting what we feel is a detrimental to the Little Wekiva River.

We would like to give special praise to Lake County Commissioner, Richard Swartz, for his unstinting efforts to protect Lake County's precious natural resources, including the Weklva River. If there Is anything left of the wetlands and forests in Lake County in years to come, we feel certain that much of the credit will belong to Richard, who has had the courage to vote for what the citizens of Lake County want, even though, too often, his is the only vote in favor of the environment. We sincerely hope that the people of Lake County will look for more representatives of Commissioner Swartz's caliber when electing their officials.

Hopefully, our members will continue to work more closely with the Lake County Commissioners so that they may have a better understanding of the environmental issues affecting the Wekiva Basin, and the people of Central Florida.

Representative Stan Bainter has submitted a bill to the state Legislature calling for the ban of air boats, as well as lowering the speed limit on the Wekiva River. His proposal calls for a twenty mile per hour speed limit for all vessels operating on the Wekiva River System from October 1 of each year until March 31 of the following year; a no-wake-idle speed zone for all vessels operating on the Wekiva River System from April 1 until September 30 of each calendar year; and the prohibition of the operation of an airboat on the Wekiva River System.

The Board of County Commissioners of Lake County voted unanimously to endorse Representative Bainter's bill. Chairman Mike Bakich even went so far as to suggest that 'the only addition I can see is to have no more motorboats on the Wekiva.'

Deborah Shelley, Environmental Specialist and Manager for the Wekiva River Aquatic Preserve, hails Bainter's legislation as a good solution to the noise and safety problems that go hand-in-hand with air boats and speeding motor boats. Noise is the biggest problem for nesting birds. Several species of birds, designated endangered, threatened or species of special concern, nest on the Wekiva River. Deborah has been actively monitoring bird rookeries along the Wekiva River, including a wood stork nesting site in the Lower Wekiva River, and several great blue heron nests. The wood storks are the most endangered wading birds in Florida, according to John C. Ogden of the National Audubon Society, and it is important for us to safeground this nesting site. Controlling the speed and noise of boats on the river will also contribute to the well-being of other designated birds such as bald eagles, limpkins, little blue herons, tri-colored herons and many nondesignated species as well.

Outboard motors also damage aquatic plants and in many areas create prop dredged channels through the eel grass and related vegetation. In addition, the propellers stir up sediment, creating cloudy water.

The Friends of the Wekiva River support this legislation as being fair and necessary to the future health of the river, its banks and its grass beds, as well as a step forward in promoting safety for canoeists, and peace and quiet for the people and animals living and recreating along the river. We urge our members to write or call Representative Bainter to let him know you favor his bill. This is a chance for us all to send an elected official encouragement and thanks for his efforts.

As a result of a lengthy court battle, DNR has been granted the authority to remove almost half of the squatter cabins, many of which have been long abandoned and are ready to be torn down at some of the sites. Volunteers are needed on SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 3, to help Orange Audubon with removal. The Telephone Pioneers and a few other volunteers will also help. Several DNR staff will be on hand to help with logistics. (Transportation to the cabins will be arranged -- if you have your own canoe or small boat, that would help.) This is our chance to physically continue the battle to return the river to its true wild and scenic state.

P.S. If this isn't agood date for you but you want to help, let us know. We may schedule another date to tear down some more cabins and to revegetate the sites. We can use all skills (clean up trash, tear apart cabins, help with burning, final cleanup). It would help If you bring work gloves and tools (hammer, rake, crowbar, saw, chainsaw, etc).

Here are a few thoughts about the upcoming year and some resolutions that we should all consider to help protect the Wekiva.

For 1990, let us all try just a little harder to write those letters and make those phone calls to our county commissioners and our state representatives. They can't protect our interests if they don't know what we want. Let's keep a list of names, addresses and phone numbers handy of the people we need to contact regarding land acquisition, law enforcement, and environmental concerns along the Wekiva River. There will be a short list for you at the end of this article. Please feel free to add to it, and then use it often!

Attend the hearings and meetings that deal with important issues along the Wekiva. One of our Lake County commissioners has told us that the best way to ensure that our elected officials work to protect our interests is to show up at the meetings. It's so easy to pass legislation injurious to the river if nobody shows up to protest. Developers, mining interests, land owners wanting to change zoning to higher densities, all attend the commission meetings. We must do the same, and in greater numbers than we have in the past. We resolve to try harder In 1990 to keep you apprised of all important meetings; we hope you will resolve to attend and speak out at them.

Introduce a friend to Friends of the Wekiva River in 1990. Our membership needs new blood and we can all help to supply it. Let's not keep FOWR a deep dark secret. Make it a point to share the fellowship with other nature lovers, and people who want to help protect and preserve the Wekiva.

Take some time out in 1990, to spend on the river. We all need refreshment from our daily routines. There are no places more healing than our natural areas, few times better spent in the spiritual revitalization of our bodies than those spent on our rivers and in our preserves and wildlife sanctuaries. No matter how busy you are, take more time to commune with nature this year.