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Someone please explain how a contract with UF Board of Trustees can be an independent scientific review of Lake Okeechobee? Aren't these the same people that provide all the sound science thru UF IFAS that provide research and development of new aquatic chemicals,and prescribe all the spraying? AQUATIC SPRAY ISSUE UPDATE by Scott Wilson
I have been noticeably absent on this subject for nearly a month. Except Christmas and one fish day, I have had projects for the last 25 of 28 days including New Years. Contrary to online negative feedback, I am completely self funded in this fight. In St. Augustine, I managed to poke every bear in the den. Not only with the problem, but with a viable solution, that will work, to clean legacy nutrients out of the lakes. After reports now from around the State, of people reaching out to local FWC biologists in there areas. This has created an internal unrest within the entire FWC. Little over a week ago, I traveled to Stick Marsh for the meeting of United Waterfoulers, along with Jim Watt and Billy Locker, to try to get the perspective of duck hunters, as their main agenda was, "Aquatic Plant Control". FWC sent 2 biologists, one from Inverness, one a "Small Game" biologist from South Florida. Here are a few observations from Jim Watt, Billy Locker and myself. 1st: FWC seems to send selective biologists, depending on what group they are dealing with so they sent the most pro hydrilla guy I've met to duck hunters, because they love hydrilla. 2nd: Although the hunters are against chemical spraying, in South Florida they don't seem nearly as concerned for big water body's further north being full of food and habitat, because they have STA's full of prime habitat. 3rd: The aquatic plant biologist sent from Citrus county, hands out an eleven page hydrilla management plan for Lake Rousseau, 20 minutes from home, totally nuked last fall with a massive fish kill, then blamed on fresh water from a hurricane that barely rained here. ***Take note: this is a 2014 plan for a lake I don't think you can even hunt, because there are very few areas far enough from marked channels. Are you kidding me?? A five year old plan, for a revisor, that has absolutely nothing to do with issues on St. Johns, central Florida, or Big O?? This is somehow supposed to appease someone. What a joke ! Last: After given opportunity for question and answer, my worst suspicions, and biggest nightmare were confirmed. I asked, "who is responsible for the decision making, of what, where, and when to spray? Is it a level one, two, or three FWC biologists??" Answer: "field level biologist " !! Just so everyone understands, these are level one and two biologists, $13-17 dollar an hour people, in charge of your lakes, habitat, and eventually your drinking water. Listen, I'm not picking on hard working people, that I don't know. However, do you think $15 gets Florida's "best and brightest" ? In charge of a million gallons of proven cancer causing poisons in our lakes and rivers? Or, are they being used as potential "scapegoats" from higher authorities? The FWC hive is buzzing, its time to come together in real numbers. Please everyone try to make room for February 21st and 22nd FWC commission meeting in Gainesville I am led to believe we are going to get main agenda status for this critical issue. WE NEED AN ARMY TO SHOW UP! I will go into full recruitment mode as soon as I have more info on Agenda As Always Thank you! For your time and consideration Best Regards, Pastor Scott Wilson Example: People making primary decisions on what, where, and when to spray Florida's lakes.1/16/2019 Here's the people making primary decisions on what, where, and when to spray our lakes. Also note that I get three of these emails a week, for schedule 1 and schedule 2 biologists. Why such a high turnover ??
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.) OPS F&W Biological Scientist II - 77907154 Date: Jan 15, 2019 Location: EUSTIS, FL, US, 32726 Apply now » Requisition No: 51927 Agency: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) Working Title: OPS F&W Biological Scientist II - 77907154 Position Number: 77907154 Salary: $16.00 Hourly Posting Closing Date: 01/31/2019 Division: Fish and Wildlife Research Institute (FWRI), Eustis, FL (Lake County) Section: Freshwater Fisheries Research/Freshwater Fisheries Biology Job Description: The successful candidates will be part of a field crew that samples water bodies statewide using a variety of fish and habitat sampling gears as required by Florida’s Freshwater Fisheries Long-Term Monitoring Program. Individuals will work both as a team and with other statewide fisheries biologists. This position requires frequent daily travel with some overnight stays. There will be additional opportunities to work on other fisheries research projects. Funding for this position is partially funded by a recurring federal grant. Continued employment is subject to annual renewals. Primary Responsibilities: Sample fish using various gear types (electrofishing, mini-fyke nets, trawls, push-trawls) Record water quality and habitat characteristics at sample sites Vegetation and bottom structure mapping using boat-mounted sonar devices Field identification of freshwater fish and aquatic plants Maintain all project equipment and usage logs including field sampling gear, vehicles and boats Data entry, analysis, and report writing Laboratory otolith work for age and growth studies of sportfish Participate in professional meetings and public outreach events as directed Minimum Qualifications: A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with a major in one of the biological sciences and one year of professional biological experience in a field or laboratory program; or a master's degree from an accredited college or university in one of the biological sciences. Maintain a valid driver license. Knowledge, Skills & Abilities: Proficiency in operating and trailering boats (< 24ft) Ability to work long hours in hot and humid conditions Be physically capable of lifting and using heavy (e.g., 50 lbs) sampling gear Ability to work well in a team setting Proficient swimmer Ability to obtain a valid Florida driver’s license Effective communication skills in public and scientific settings Preferred Experience: Applicants having experience with data analysis of fisheries data using R or similar statistical software package, and experience using ArcView or online GIS tools may be given preference. Expected Start Date: Mar 1, 2019 WHAT IS OPS EMPLOYMENT? Other Personal Services (OPS) temporary employer/employee relationship used solely for accomplishing short term or intermittent tasks. OPS employees do not fill established positions and may not be assigned the duties of any vacant authorized position. OPS employees are at-will employees and are subject to actions such as pay changes, changes to work assignment and terminations at the pleasure of the agency head or designee. WHAT BENEFITS ARE APPLICABLE TO OPS EMPLOYEES? State of Florida 401(a) FICA Alternative Plan - mandatory Workers’ Compensation - mandatory Reemployment Assistance (Unemployment Compensation) - mandatory Participation in state group insurance (must meet eligibility requirements. Consult with People First or the servicing Human Resource Office for details.) Deferred Compensation - voluntary Employee Assistance Program – voluntary WHAT BENEFITS ARE NOT APPLICABLE TO OPS EMPLOYEES? Any form of paid leave Paid holidays Participation in the Florida Retirement System Reinstatement rights or retention rights Where To Apply Applicants are required to submit a complete, up-to-date, State of Florida Employment Application Profile electronically in People First (http://peoplefirst.myflorida.com) by the closing date listed. Resumes and supporting documentation may be submitted at the same time you are applying online, faxed, or mailed to People First, but do not replace the requirement for a completed State of Florida Employment Application Profile. The State of Florida is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Affirmative Action Employer, and does not tolerate discrimination or violence in the workplace. Candidates requiring a reasonable accommodation, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, must notify the agency hiring authority and/or People First Service Center (1-866-663-4735). Notification to the hiring authority must be made in advance to allow sufficient time to provide the accommodation. The State of Florida supports a Drug-Free workplace. All employees are subject to reasonable suspicion drug testing in accordance with Section 112.0455, F.S., Drug-Free Workplace Act. Nearest Major Market: Orlando Apply now » Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Logo QUESTIONS? Contact the FWC STAY CONNECTED: Visit us on Facebook Visit us on Twitter instagram logo Visit us on Flickr youtube logo pinterest logo Sign up for email updates SUBSCRIBER SERVICES: Subscriber Preferences: Unsubscribe, Add/delete topics, modify your password or email address. Use your email address to log in. Localize your news: Go to Subscriber Preferences, click "Questions" and select your region(s) of interest. Help: For assistance with your login or subscription service. This email was sent to [email protected] using Gov Delivery Communications Cloud on behalf of: Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission · 620 S. Meridian Street · Tallahassee, FL 32399-1600 · (850) 488-4676 GovDelivery logo |
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