Jimmy Orth, Author at St. Johns Riverkeeper

Toxins from Algae Blooms in River Raise Concerns

Aug 10, 2021 | Nutrients

Recently, the Florida Department of Health (FDOH) issued a Health Alert due to the presence of harmful blue-green algal toxins, or cyanotoxins, in the St. Johns River. The FDOH issued the alert based on a water sample taken from the St. Johns River near Mandarin Point...

Construction Runoff Damages Wetlands and Creek

Jul 23, 2021 | Habitat Loss and Degradation, Wetland Impacts

Recently, a contractor was caught in the act discharging muddy water into adjacent wetlands protected by a conservation easement and Pottsburg Creek thanks to the watchful eye of Grove Park residents. Neighbors feared for several weeks that the dirt excavation...

Groups Urge Action to Stop JEA Pollution

Dec 12, 2018 | Nutrients

Image credit: JEAFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE December 12, 2018 JEA DISCHARGING POLLUTION INTO GROUNDWATER AND ST. JOHNS Groups Urge Immediate Action to Stop Pollution and Revise Permit Jacksonville, FL — Sierra Club and St. Johns RIVERKEEPER today submitted technical...

Withdrawals Potentially Threaten Black Creek

Oct 29, 2018 | Nutrients

Recently, the Jacksonville District of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) issued a notice soliciting public comments regarding the St. Johns River Water Management District’s (SJRWMD) permit application to withdraw an average of 10 million gallons of water...

Legal Victory for Conservation Lands

Jun 16, 2018 | Nutrients

On June 15, 2018, Florida Circuit Judge Charles Dodson ruled in favor of environmental organizations that the land conservation constitutional amendment overwhelmingly approved by voters in 2014 requires funding to be used for land acquisition, restoration and...

River Rising Town Hall Series

Jun 15, 2018 | Nutrients

photo credit: Florida Times-UnionJoin St. Johns RIVERKEEPER at the upcoming River Rising: Town Hall Series to learn about rising waters in the St. Johns, how decades of dredging has increased water levels and storm surge, and what Jacksonville and coastal communities...

You did it! Julington-Durbin Preserve Has Been Saved!

Jun 15, 2018 | Nutrients

DEVELOPER ABANDONS LANDS SWAP PLANS FOR JULINGTON-DURBIN! You did it! On June 28, Eastland announced that they will no longer pursue plans to build 1400 homes within the Julington-Durbin Preserve, in exchange for property on Black Hammock Island. In addition,...

Dredging Increases Salinity and Storm Surge

May 7, 2018 | Nutrients

Credit: Florida Times-UnionFor decades, the St. Johns River has been deepened, straightened and manipulated to allow bigger and bigger ships to access Jacksonville's port. The Florida Times-Union recently released a special report, As the Ocean Creeps In, that...

Report Ranks Top Polluters of St. Johns River and the Nation

Mar 29, 2018 | Nutrients

For Immediate Release Thursday, March 29, 2018 Contact: Jennifer Rubiello, State Director, Environment Florida jennifer@environmentflorida.org, (818) 203-7625 Shannon Blankinship, Advocacy Director, St. Johns Riverkeeper, shannon@stjohnsriverkeeper.org, (904) 614-6570...

Controversial Toxic Chemical Rule Withdrawn

Feb 21, 2018 | Nutrients

For Immediate Release February 21, 2018 FDEP Withdraws Rule That Would Have Allowed More Toxic Chemicals in Florida’s Waters JACKSONVILLE, FL — The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) recently withdrew a dangerous state rule that...

Jimmy Orth