JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A partnership between the St. Johns Riverkeeper and city, state and federal authorities and the northeast Florida business community calls for the removal of the Rodman Dam in Putnam County in exchange for environmentalists dropping opposition to dredging the shipping channel to allow for larger ships to access the Jacksonville Port Authority.
The removal of the dam and restoration of the Ocklawaha River would allow millions of gallons of fresh water to flow into the St. Johns River daily.
The partnership will also work to increase state and federal funding to enhance water quality to meet federal guidelines.
"Make no mistake, when our economic development team is trying to recruit businesses to come here, they are selling the quality of life in Northeast Florida," said Daniel Davis, president and CEO of the Jacksonville Chamber. "The St. Johns River is key to that quality of life and we need to pull together to protect it. The business community now is fully a partner in this effort to clean and protect the St Johns River."
Riverkeeper Lisa Rinaman said the millions of gallons of water that would flow into the river once the dam is breached will mitigate the decreased water quality and other aquatic impact of dredging the ship channel to 47 feet.
"For nearly three years, we have worked diligently to protect the St. Johns River from the inherent risks of dredging," Rinaman said. "Today, this unique partnership creates a new opportunity to fortify our river. While restoring the Ocklawaha (River) will not address all of the dredging impacts, it would provide significant ecological benefits to the St. Johns."
In the agreement signed Monday morning, the St. Johns Riverkeeper pledged not to legally challenge the dredging project's Environmental Impact Statement as long as the breach of the dam is funded and approved.
FACTSHEET: Ocklawaha River restoration
In the event the litigation has already been filed, St. Johns Riverkeeper has agreed to withdraw the challenge at the time the Ocklawaha River restoration is authorized and funded.
"A group like this one today that the chamber has brought together is powerful and I congratulate Daniel Davis for getting this going," U.S. Rep. Ander Crenshaw said. "Please count on me to be a champion for the river and for funding what is needed to insure a healthy river."
The 1968 damming of the Oklawaha River as part of the never-completed Cross Florida Barge Canal created the Rodman Reservoir. It covers 9,500 acres of southern Putnam County and northern Marion County and has become a major largemouth bass fishing destination.
The Florida's Fish and Wildlife Commission has designated the Rodman Reservoir one of the 10 best bass lakes in Florida and efforts over years to remove the dam and restore the Ocklawaha River have met with opposition.
Breaching the dam and restoring the river health would cost somewhere between $20 million-$25 million. The process is expected to take three years.