To all Floridians concerned with the health of the Suwannee River:

In reference to a story in today’s Gainesville Sun

Beauty, charm draw visitors to Suwannee River http://www.gainesville.com/article/20080809/NEWS/203450008

I believe this article has a dark side that is not being presented to the citizens of Florida. Here is My Two Cents on the pending death of the Suwannee River.

A new aspect of Water War – Vaucheria alga – Part 1 of 3

A Suwannee River Keepers Observation

Regarding the July 10, 2008 Time story by Michael Grunwald, "Is Florida the Sunset State?" - Hell of a timely, accurate Florida overview, is it not? The only issue left out was an alga, Vaucheria, one of the most toxic.

Most of the green stuff we now see in the fresh water springs and Suwannee River is an alga. It is Vaucheria alga, not SAV (submerged aquatic vegetation). For those like me, who had to learn terms in order to save face in front of biologists and other scientists; I had to research what SAV was. Basically SAV is all plants and grasses that grow in and under freshwater sources such as rivers, springs, swamps and lakes.

Annually the nutrient pollution levels continue to increase from our springs and storm run-offs. Nutrient pollution feeds the Vaucheria alga that attaches itself to an individual freshwater SAV (plant or grass blade). The alga’s colony grows rapidly on the SAV plant or grass blade and soon there is enough of the Vaucheria alga to smother the SAV. It uses two methods to kill the individual SAV. It consumes twice as much of the water’s oxygen as SAV does and its black hairs prevent enough light for SAV photosynthesis not to occur.

An excellent place to see a large concentration of Vaucheria alga is from the observation deck at Manatee Springs State Park, one of our sickest springs on the Suwannee River. When you arrive at the Park and after the customary trip to the restroom, go out onto the Observation Deck, look over all the sides, down through all the water. Then look up and down the spring run and the river as far as you can. 99% the green stuff you will see, in and under the water, is a large concentration of Vaucheria alga, which is a highly toxic and undesirable food source for manatees and other marine residents in the Suwannee River.

If Manatee Springs State Park is to far from you to see for yourself, read about the effects of Vaucheria alga at WEKIWA SPRINGS STATE PARK in the Orlando’s Sentinel article

Beware the blobs at Orlando-area springs http://www.orlandosentinel.com/community/news/deland/orl-springs0508jul05,0,4141768.story

Kevin Spear | Sentinel Staff Writer

July 5, 2008

Simply put, on and in the Lower Suwannee River from the Gulf to Branford, more than 50 miles of river, is suffering from growing excessive Nutrient Pollution that is feeding the Vaucheria alga’s rapid growth.

But why worry about Vaucheria alga and SAV of the Suwannee River, when it is predicted that within 5-10 years all of Florida’s water resources will be so polluted and exhausted they will be not be enough to support our existing population, much less support SAV?

In our lifetime, it is well within society's power to turn all of Florida into an asphalt and concrete, over-populated desert with dotted with oasises of polluted fresh water. Half of the job is already done with the Central and South Florida sprawl.

"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change
the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has." Margaret Meade

Stan Meeks

Manatee Advocate

Suwannee River Keepers, Inc (non profit pending)

Blog http://suwanneeriverkeeper.blogspot.com/