Our Mission is to stop discharges into the St. Lucie River from Lake Okeechobee and to fight for a safe, healthy and ecologically balanced St. Lucie River Estuary and Indian River Lagoon, and the natural resources that are vital to the economy and quality of life of Martin County and the Treasure Coast.

Rivers Coalition

April 2025 Newsletter

Next Meeting

Thursday, April 24, 2025

  11:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

Stuart City Hall Chambers

121 SW Flagler Ave, Stuart, FL

This meeting is in person and via Zoom, and is open to the public, with plenty of free parking available. Email info@riverscoalition.org for Zoom link.

FLORIDA LEGISLATIVE UPDATE

Gil Smart, Executive Director of VoteWater, and Eve Samples, Executive Director of Friends of the Everglades

Agenda

Business Matters:

• Call to Order and Chairman’s Comments: Mark Perry, President
• Business matters and membership roll call

Presentation:

FLORIDA LEGISLATIVE UPDATE

Gil Smart, Executive Director of VoteWater, and Eve Samples, Executive Director of Friends of the Everglades

Government & Agency Progress Reports:

• Martin County: John Maehl
• City of Stuart: Ben Hogarth
• South Florida Water Management District: TBD
• State and Federal Agencies: USACE: Maj. Bell
• Lake Okeechobee Update: Dr. Paul Gray
• State and Federal Legislation: Gil Smart

Coalition Reports:

• Rivers Coalition Committee Updates: 
• River Kidz: Kelli Doré
• Speakers Bureau: Todd Weissing
• Local Issues & Estuary Water Quality: Mark Perry
• Seagrass Update: Todd Thurlow
• Riverkeeper Update: Jim Moir (Indian River) 
• Member Comments and Announcements
• Adjourn 

Rivers Coalition Meeting March 2025

Col. Bowman Updates on Lake O Discharges

At the March Rivers Coalition meeting, Col. Bowman, USACE Commander of the Jacksonville District, discussed the Lake Recovery Operations procedures and process of review.

--Photos by Darrell Brand

USACE Col. Brandon Bowman

Earth Day April 22, 2025

Our Power, Our Planet

Earth Day is April 22nd. The 2025 theme is Our Power, Our Planet, calling for everyone to unite around renewable energy so we can triple clean electricity by 2030. Go to earthday.org to learn more. Find an Earth Day event near you: Earth Day map

Earth Day Celebration

Earth Day at the Florida Oceanographic Coastal Center

The Florida Oceanographic Coastl Center has a full day of adventures planned for Earth Day on Tuesday, April 22nd. For registration information on the starred events, click here: Event Details

River Kidz Updates

Dirty River Jam

The River Kidz showed up for clean water at the Dirty River Jam kid zone. As always, Marty and face painting by Barbara were a hit! They raised over $100 to benefit the Environmental Studies Center.

The Glover Family

Love Fest at Jonathan Dickinson Love Fest

The River Kidz joined protesters on April 5th at Jonathan Dickinson State Park for a Love Fest to show support for strengthening the language of legislation that would protect Florida state parks from damaging development.

Indian Riverkeeper Jim Moir and the Doré Family

Upcoming Events

The River Kidz will participate in the Earth Day Family Celebration and Soccer Tournament hosted by the Boys & Girls Club of Martin County in Hobe Sound on Saturday, April 26, from 10 am to 3 pm at 11500 SE Lares Ave. The event is free and will include gardening activities and birdhouse building, facepainting, a food truck, and more!

Rescue the River of Grass

Sign Now to Join the Movement!

The Everglades is one of the most critical ecosystems in the world, providing unique habitat for wildlife, protecting the water supply for millions of Floridians and safeguarding our coastal communities and economies. However, this precious resource remains imperiled due to a lack of water storage and treatment. More land is needed to store and clean water from Lake Okeechobee so it can flow into the Everglades and prevent harmful discharges to the northern estuaries.

To address this urgent issue, Friends of the Everglades has launched a campaign aimed at public acquisition of land in the Everglades Agricultural Area (EAA) for environmental restoration.

With your support, we can take meaningful action to restore the Everglades and protect Florida’s environment for future generations.

Important RC Member Announcement

Renew Your Rivers Coalition Membership Today!

A REMINDER THAT ALL Associate Members of the Rivers Coalition must renew their membership annually. We kindly remind each member organization to designate a spokesperson to serve as a delegate for communication on your behalf. To update your membership, please email miki@riverscoalition.org with the name and contact information of your appointed representative. Thank you for your ongoing participation and support of our mission. We also encourage you to invite other like-minded organizations that share our goals to join the Rivers Coalition and strengthen our collective efforts.

Rivers Coalition Meeting Minutes

March 27, 2025 Summary of Comments

Mark Perry called the meeting to order at 11:02 am.   There were 72 attendees in person, 25 attendees on ZOOM call.

Minutes taken by Miki Blumenthal, Administrative Assistant.

Business Matters: 

Mark Perry welcomed Rivers Coalition members and guests and introduced Col. Bowman.

Presentation: Col. Bowman Updates on Lake Okeechobee Discharges and Water Quality Efforts

Col. Bowman discussed the Lake Recovery Operations procedures and process of review when discharges are done. He announced that the discharges will end on Saturday, 3/29/25.

An extended Q&A session followed their presentation. The above presentations in its entirety can be seen at www.riverscoalition.org.

Government & Agency Reports:

City of Stuart: Ben Hogarth stated the City of Stuart is in the process of hiring an environmental attorney. He discussed the City’s reaction to the failure of the Sugar Industry’s lawsuit with regard to the savings clause and reaffirmed the City’s position.

Mark Perry informed the group that the Everglades Law Center had been working on this case since 2021, mentioning that the Sugar Industry is not harmed in any way by the Everglades Restoration project.

Martin County: John Maehl plugged 3 upcoming ecotourism projects and also announced that there will be a meeting on April 16th of the Environmental Lands Oversight Committee, which oversees funds created by the recently added surtax. He discussed the time factor in salinity returning to appropriate levels after discharges stop, and thanked Lawrence Glenn of SFWMD for his partnership.

SFWMD: Lawrence Glenn discussed the science of lake recovery operations and SFWMD’s work with the USACE in determining a stop date for discharges based on reproductive season in the estuaries. Lawrence announced he was leaving the SFWMD and would take on the role in Tallahassee of running the BMAP program.

USACE: See main presentation by Col. Bowman.

Lake O Update: In Paul Gray’s absence, Mark Perry stated the lake level is coming down quickly.

State and Federal Legislation: Eve Samples discussed the proposed “State Parks” bills being introduced by Senator Gayle Harrell and Representative John Snyder (SB80 and HB209). She announced that there will be a state parks “Love Fest” on Saturday, 4/5/25 at Jonathan Dickinson State park at 10:00 a.m. Other state parks are also having their own events that same day. For updates on the current legislative session, go to https://www.everglades.org/legislative-accountability/.

Mark Perry added that numerous organizations would be going to Tallahassee April 7-8 to participate in Everglades Action Day.

Coalition Reports:

River Kidz: Kelli Doré announced that the River Kidz would be participating in both the Dirty River Jam and the Indian Riverkeeper’s Sand Spike Shootout on Saturday, 3/29/25. They will also participate on Earth Day in Hobe Sound and will be speaking at the Sewall’s Point Commission. She reiterated that volunteers are needed for the various River Kidz events.

Casey Kniffin brought up a proposed bill in the Florida legislature relating to single-use plastics, and the River Kidz commitment to keeping plastics out of our waterways.

Speakers Bureau: Todd Weissing spoke a few weeks ago to the St. Lucie Power Squadron. He reminded the members that speakers can be requested at riverscoalition.org .

Water Quality Report: Mark Perry gave a brief presentation on the current water quality. 

Seagrass Update: Todd Thurlow mentioned that seagrass, although thin and sparse, is visible.

Riverkeeper Update: Jim Moir stated that the current high turbidity is just as important an issue as the lack of salinity in the lagoon. Seagrass is looking much better in the northern lagoon. He discussed recent sightings of sperm and right whales. Jim announced that the Indian Riverkeeper’s Sand Spike Shootout will be this coming weekend, March 29-30. He reminded the group to be wary of hidden agendas in proposed bills, such as the “boater freedom” bill.

Member Comments and Announcements: 

Jacqui Thurlow-Lippisch thanked Col. Bowman for his presentation and willingness to be present. She introduced a long-time friend who hopes to become involved with the Rivers Coalition.

Merritt Matheson mentioned the April 16th meeting with regard to the Martin County Forever surtax. It will be from 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. at the Martin County Commission chambers. He would like the county to bond future revenue from this project.

Greg Braun of Guardians of Martin County stated that the Loxa-Lucie Headwaters Project needs donations.

Diane Goldsteine reminded the group to sign the Right to Clean Water petition. She will also be giving a lecture on April 26th at 2:00 p.m. at the Kilmer Library in Fort Pierce about alternatives to fertilizer.

Darrell Brand congratulated Jacqui Thurlow-Lippiach on her recent year-long journey of the Great Circle Loop, completing 6000 nautical miles in her boat with her husband, Ed.

Casey Kniffin discussed the need for the Florida legislature to fund the Florida Forever project.

Todd Thurlow reminded the group of the importance of fixing the BMAPs.

The meeting was adjourned at 12:28 p.m.

2025

Meeting Schedule

Board Members

Rivers Coalition Organizational Members

1000 Friends of Florida, 27-80 Paddlers, American Association of University Women, Admiralty Yacht Club, Arthur R. Marshall Foundation, Atlantic Point Yacht Club & Marina of Stuart, Audubon Florida, Audubon of Martin County, Ballantrae Anglers Club, Ballantrae Yacht Club, Beau Rivage HOA, Business Development Board of Martin County, Citizens for Clean Water, Computer Network Services, Conservation Alliance of St. Lucie Co. Inc, Cypress Lake HOA, Dolphin Ecology Project, Driftwood Motel of Jensen Beach. Economic Council of Martin County, Farm Vets, Florida Oceanographic Society, Florida Sportsman, Florida Wildlife Federation, Fort Pierce Yacht Club, Four Rivers Property Association, Four Winds Condo Association, Friends of The Everglades, Friends of Harbor Branch - FAU, Guardians of Martin County, Harborage Yacht Condominiums, Harbour Ridge Yacht Club, Hutchinson Island Preservation Initiative, Humanists of the Treasure Coast, Indian Riverkeeper, Indian River Plantation POA, Jensen Beach Chamber of Commerce, Joe's Point HOA, Keep Martin Beautiful, Lake Okeechobee Restoration Initiative, Lake Worth Waterkeeper, Leadership Martin, League of Women Voters of Martin Co., League of Women’s Voters of SLC Co., Lighthouse Point Association Inc., Locks Landing HOA, Marine Cleanup Initiative Inc., Marine Industries Assoc. of Treasure Coast, Marine Resources Council, Martin County Anglers, Martin County Chapter of the Florida Native Plant Society, Martin County Conservation Alliance, Martin County Democratic Environmental Caucus, Martin County Farm Bureau, Martin County Future Group, Martin County Hotel & Motel Association,Miramar POA, Nettles Island Community Action Assoc., North River Shores Prop. Assoc., Ocean Research and Conservation Association, Palm City Civic Assn, Palm Cove Yacht Club, Palm Cove HOA, Pierpoint Condominium Assoc., Port Salerno Commercial Fishing Dock Assoc., Port Sewall Harbor & Tennis Club Owners Ass, Port Sewall Property Owners Assoc., Port St Lucie Anglers, President’s Council of Hutchinson Island, Realtor Association of Martin County, Rio Civic Club, River Club Dock Owners Association Inc., River Kidz, River Vista HOA, River Warriors, Royal Harbor Homeowners Assn, Sandhill Cove Retirement Living, Sailfish Point POA, Sailfish Point Yacht Club, Savanna Fishing Club, Save the Manatee Club, Seagate Harbor Homeowners Assoc., Sierra Club-:Loxahatchee Group, Snug Harbor Yacht Club, St. Lucie Audubon Society, St. Lucie River Yacht Club, St. Lucie Sailing Club, St. Lucie Settlement Inc., Stuart Corinthian Yacht Club, Stuart Heritage, Stuart Rod & Reel Club, Stuart/Martin County Chamber, Surfrider Foundation, Teamsters Local 769, The Garden Club of Stuart Inc, The Estuary at North River Shores, The Junior League of Martin County, Treasure Coast Buddhist Cooperative, Treasure Coast Builders Association, Treasure Coast Golf Course Superintendents Association, Treasure Coast Rowing Club, Treasure Coast Unitarian Universalist Church, US Sailing Center of Martin County, Venture Three Community, VoteWater, Windjammer Condo Association 

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