Restoring Ocklawaha River's flow would provide ecological benefits, economic returns

Casey Fitzgerald

Guest columnist

The Kirkpatrick Dam at the Rodman Reservoir recreation area. The debate continues whether to remove the Kirkpatrick Dam and restore the Ocklawaha River to its natural state.

First of all, kudos to The Sun for its excellent Oct. 3 editorial: “Public should speak out on the need to restore the Ocklawaha River." As a recently retired, longtime senior manager at the St. Johns River Water Management District, I fully endorse The Sun’s call for concerned citizens to go to the district portal and share your thoughts on restoring the Ocklawaha River (https://bit.ly/rodmancomment). The deadline for doing so is Friday, Oct. 22, at 5 p.m.

The case for restoration has become ever more compelling over the five decades since the Cross Florida Barge Canal project was stopped due to overwhelmingly adverse environmental impacts. It is well past time to remove the last vestige of this longstanding mistake by breaching the Rodman dam, draining the reservoir and restoring the natural flow of the Ocklawaha River and its 20 “lost springs.”

Personally, I first engaged in this effort as an undergrad at the University of Florida in the mid-1970s by volunteering with Marjorie Carr and Florida Defenders of the Environment to keep the canal project from being resurrected and to begin restoring the Ocklawaha. In subsequent positions with the former Florida Department of Natural Resources and the St. Johns River district, I closely monitored the scientific and engineering assessments that led to the development of a very cost-effective restoration plan endorsed by the Department of Environmental Protection in the late 1990s. Unfortunately, in the years since, politics has prevented implementation of this plan.

This map shows the plans for the Cross Florida Barge Canal and the portion that was completed before construction stopped in 1971.

Now that my paid professional career is over, I have rejoined the cause as part of a new and very positive effort led by the Free the Ocklawaha River Coalition — for Everyone (FORCE) that should finally catalyze restoration. This fresh, multi-faceted approach relies on the latest science and socioeconomic data to forge what can be a much improved environmental and economic future for the entire affected region — termed the Great Florida Riverway — by reuniting Silver Springs and River with the Ocklawaha and St. Johns rivers all the way to the Atlantic Ocean.

As co-chair of the FORCE Science Committee, I encourage you to visit our website (www.freetheocklawaha.com) to find out specifics about how this restoration effort will: 1) help restore the ecology of Silver Springs; 2) greatly improve the populations of numerous migratory fish species such as striped bass, American shad, Atlantic sturgeon and striped mullet; 3) provide warm water winter habitat for hundreds of manatees; 4) uncover and rejuvenate 20 springs; 5) reestablish a critical link in the Florida Wildlife Corridor and 6) improve the water quality, habitat and fisheries of the lower St. Johns River estuary.

Environmentalists want to return the Ocklawaha River to its natural flow. A federal judge has dismissed a lawsuit that challenges the legality of the Rodman Dam, but that ruling will be appealed.

Similarly, economic and recreational benefits of this approach include: 1) a $50 million net economic benefit over 10 years; 2) increased regional visitor traffic to the Ocklawaha River by 28%; 3) elimination of $57 million in risk to downstream properties from potential collapse of the Rodman dam that is beyond its 50-year life expectancy and 4) significantly increased Silver Springs tourist visits as abundant manatee populations appear. Supporting documentation for these findings, much of which is based on studies done by current and former UF researchers, is also readily available at the FORCE website.

You may hear some appeals from well-meaning folks who want to keep the reservoir for bass fishing and its perceived associated economic value. Sadly, however, the facts are that use of the reservoir has been declining for decades as has its economic lift.

It would be best for all involved to embrace a well-thought-out alternative approach that will yield exceptional ecological benefits along the entire Great Florida Riverway and provide renewed economic returns to spring and river communities from Ocala to Palatka to Jacksonville.

Casey Fitzgerald, formerly an assistant director of the Department of Water Resources and director of the Springs Protection Initiative with the St. Johns River Water Management District, lives in Gainesville.

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