2 rushed to hospital after boat crash on Ortega River
Two people were rushed to a hospital after a crash Friday night on the Ortega River, according to the Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department. At least one person was said to have serious injuries, according to Eric Proswimmer, spokesperson for JFRD said. Prosswimmer said a portion of the Ortega Bridge that had been raised was coming down, and when the boater tried to get under, the boat made contact with the bridge. The JFRD spokesperson said the bridge would require inspection before it could be raised again. Late in the night, News4Jax noticed the drawbridge being raised and traffic on the water moving under the bridge.
Consent order executed between FDEP, construction companies over Ortega River silt plumes
This consent order was drafted after multiple violations of turbidity plumes flowing into the Ortega River from the construction site during heavy rains. Within 45 days a third party must also perform a “River Assessment” to evaluate the Ortega River and canal for sediment resulting from erosion of the construction site. Turbidity plume flowing into the Ortega River. (Sharon and Don Light)The FDEP is confident that with the consent order in place and frequent inspections the issue will improve. A consent order between our Department and the responsible parties was executed on August 6, 2020.”
State: Efforts should greatly reduce silt plume flowing into Ortega River
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. A family who lives along along the Ortega River is concerned as silt from a construction site continues to flow into the waterway after heavy rainfall. The silt plume has been spotted flowing from the construction area at the Roosevelt Marketplace. The remaining 15% exposed limerock will be covered over as well. The Department remains committed to conducting regular site visits to ensure adequate progress, confirming all short-term corrective actions are working. Additionally, as we stated last week, the Department is evaluating potential formal enforcement actions with the responsible parties that may include longer term corrective actions and the assessment of appropriate fines/penalties.
State addressing silt plume from Roosevelt Marketplace construction site
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. A silt plume has been spotted flowing from the Roosevelt Marketplace construction site into the Ortega River. Last week, News4Jax learned that heavy rains had been pushing silt from the site into a nearby canal, which flows into the river. Shannon Blankenship, advocacy director for the St. Johns Riverkeeper, said the recent plume sighting wasnt the first. The first time that we saw an active violation of construction at the Roosevelt mall was in January of 2020, Blankenship said a week ago. The FDEP issued a statement that reads in part:Immediately upon being notified of the concerns related to the construction site, the department conducted an inspection.
Construction site spills silt into Ortega River on rainy days
These heavy rains are what push silt from the Roosevelt Marketplace construction site into a nearby canal that flows into the Ortega River. The St. Johns Riverkeeper continues to monitor the situation and fears that the silt plumes flowing into the river will continue to happen unless adequate silt barriers are used through the rainy summer season. Once again, the Roosevelt Marketplace redevelopment in Jacksonville pollutes and silts in the Ortega River, which flows into the St. Johns. When the sediment from the construction site reaches the river, it can change the rivers elevation and cause mud flaps along the riverbed. The first time that we saw an active violation of construction at the Roosevelt mall was in January of 2020, Blankenship said.