tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6597115306275781810.post2610869114556829504..comments2023-09-17T18:38:10.341-04:00Comments on A Word Witch: Rum Island: The Slow Death of a Small SpringA Word Witchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04945717356576119953noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6597115306275781810.post-80693821188910171132018-03-27T23:00:38.648-04:002018-03-27T23:00:38.648-04:00I hope something can be done. My wife and I have b...I hope something can be done. My wife and I have been visiting Florida specifically to snorkel and kayak the springs for three decades. It would be horrible to see them die. All it takes to save them is some common sense conservation.<br />James Robert Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17281049641681225389noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6597115306275781810.post-58924169358453741642017-08-14T15:36:05.621-04:002017-08-14T15:36:05.621-04:00You are, of course, right about the amounts of wat...You are, of course, right about the amounts of water the State of FL is permitting to be withdrawn from our aquifer. Be aware that the governor of Florida appoints both the head of the FL Dept. of Environmental Protection and the directors of the water management districts; that puts a lot of power over water use decisions in the hands of whoever is the governor. Next year (2018) is an election year and I hope we Floridians can choose someone who cares about our springs and realizes we are using water faster than rainfall can replace it.<br />A Word Witchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04945717356576119953noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6597115306275781810.post-39278930282194693402017-08-14T15:32:17.921-04:002017-08-14T15:32:17.921-04:00If you have a local water advocacy group, they may...If you have a local water advocacy group, they may be able to put you in touch with people who can answer some of your questions. Your local agricultural extension agent may also be able to help. A Word Witchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04945717356576119953noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6597115306275781810.post-67716934739324582222017-08-14T15:30:31.103-04:002017-08-14T15:30:31.103-04:00I am not "blaming" anyone other than to ...I am not "blaming" anyone other than to say we are all to blame because we all use water. A geologist has told me that every drop of water we use is one less drop for our springs. That is true whether we are homeowners or agriculturalists or business owners or public utility workers. As I say in the post, implementing agricultural changes is going to take time, but homeowners who want to take action NOW may be able to help our springs and may even inspire others to make change. Faced with a dying spring, I don't want to sit back & wait for others to make changes first. And how can I expect others to change if I am unwilling to do so myself? I think change and personal responsibility begin at home.A Word Witchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04945717356576119953noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6597115306275781810.post-41968555219011796792017-08-14T12:44:49.670-04:002017-08-14T12:44:49.670-04:00You blame all of this on "the home owner"...You blame all of this on "the home owner" watering the lawn. But what about the countless dairy and other farmers that have these outlandish water permits? How does my usage of water as a normal homeowner compare to the MILLIONS of gallons a day they are allowed to pump? It is not all the homeowners fault, some if not most of the blame falls on the farmers. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00956801653513386573noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6597115306275781810.post-34101607123823461622017-08-13T07:54:41.971-04:002017-08-13T07:54:41.971-04:00One day, during a heavy rain here in Ormond Beach,...One day, during a heavy rain here in Ormond Beach, I put a 5gal bucket outside; it filled to the top in less than 30seconds. I wish I knew how to convert my sprinkler system. I wish I knew what kind of native plants to plant. I wish I had the time to figure this out and if I don't, could hire a cost effective service to help me. Most times, folks want to do what's right but need help with the conversion (and not the kind of help solar panel companies offer where the homeowner is charged $25K to convert--where the homeowner is plain robbed of their good intentions by corporate America). Thx you for your blog regarding the important issue and for offering some very specific suggestions on how homeowners may help!Laurahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02510100452690851480noreply@blogger.com