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 TONS OF GREAT INFORMATION
Scott Wilson Speaks Before the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission a/k/a FWC 201812/19/2018
Scott Wilson Speaks Before the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission a/k/a FWC 2018
Source of video: click here Source of meeting information: click here
December 2018 Commission Meeting
Date: Dec 12, 2018 Time: 8:30 am Location: Renaissance World Golf Village 500 South Legacy Trail, St. Augustine, Florida 32092
THE CORE ISSUE "FINAL CHAPTER" by Scott Wilson
Since I Started my original posts and with "I'm not a scientist, biologist, or water management expert, (THE CORE ISSUE and The CORE ISSUE Part 2)" I will start this final chapter with the statements, "I'm NOT a pessimist, activist, or a gloom and doomer." What I am is a just an average Joe, Florida boy that has loved and even made my living from all aspects of Florida fishing, both fresh and saltwater. With a very special lifelong love of all central Florida's lakes and chain lake systems especially one our our most beautiful gifts of creation the Kissimmee Chain System. I started fishing out of Camp Mack in 1965 or 53 years ago. Having a small weekend home there since the early eighties, passed thru my family I have spent about as much time on these lakes as anyone still living.
In the past seven years I have witnessed the systematic total destruction of more square miles of natural habitat than I can begin to describe, as the direct result of FL 369.20 Florida Aquatic Weed Control Act, and total atrocity
of private contractor spraying to control aquatic vegetation. This lead me to write a blog in August (THE CORE ISSUE and The CORE ISSUE Part 2) after a week long trip that caught the eyes of several people with voices. So a shout of thanks goes out to James Abernethy , Vik Chhabra, and to real science Dr. James Douglass, and Allen Stewart.
Now people are coming out of the woodwork to get on board to address this issue, thanks to all you bass guys, duck hunters, harvester manufacturers, and all on both coasts being devastated by the Bi-Product of our states near criminal activities. I can't begin to say how sorry I am that it's taken destruction of salt water marine life, tourism and everything related, commercial and charter fisheries, eco tourism, property values and tax base to finally get some real attention.
I realize that chemical spraying is but one of a multi faceted, very complex perfect storm of pollution sources, however I believe this is a much larger issue than people want to realize.
After digging for hundreds of hours thru FWC, SFWMD, ACOE, MSDS sheets and Water Atlas reports, and their own data on the exponential increases of chemicals used, the types of chemicals and the fact that in a 2005 FWC report, that knowingly allowed increased doses, with full knowledge that it would have adverse effects on natural habitat. The fact that in 2017 alone total chemical use increased 25% from 713,000 gallons in 2016 to 890,000 gallons in 2017 and that in 2017 Glysophate use increased 250%!
2018 Documented pesticides applied from airboats with tanks, pumps, and spray wands:
WHICH "Brand Names" are APPROVED
by the State of Florida and WHICH Ones are "NOT" ???
Compare the 2016 and 2017 Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Annual Report of Pollutant Discharges to the Surface Waters of the State from the Application of Pesticides usage. Was there an increase in the "Amount Applied" ?
25% total increase 2016-713,000 gallons to 2016-890,000 gallons
How much higher will it be for 2018 ? How much Glysophate does this equate to?
The issue also stretches far beyond the active ingredients themselves, typically 41-53% active ingredient, but FWC cannot give account for any testing of the chemicals used to disperse and bond these herbicides to plants in water. Most all are listed as "Trade Secret" on the individual products MSDS sheets. Also that on most of the most popular chemicals used list on first page states:
"HARMFUL TO AQUATIC LIFE WITH LONG TERM EFFECTS" !!
Click the Slides to Learn More or CLICK HERE ...and... CLICK HERE
The University of Florida IFAS Extension states and quote, "Pesticide may be hazardous to human health or to the environment even when used according to the label".
Chemical spraying is an every day occurrence on the Kissimmee Basin, Big O, and throughout all Florida fresh waterways. However this fall has gone far beyond anything I've ever witnessed. TEN "10" Boats a day for the last month on the entire Kissimmee basin, Big O, and an all out assault by helicopters. At least ten boats brought in from company's in Alabama, all documented on Video. You really think these Alabama boys give two cents about Florida's ecosystem??
The water quality, habitat, and fishery has gotten progressively worse since 2011, but exponentially worse over the last month. Three weeks ago was the first time I have ever seen the entire open water portions of the entire Kissimmee basin covered in the green snot, also filmed.
Last week was opening of duck season. My neighbor at Camp Mack is a very influential, prominent businessman, fighting this issue nearly twenty years. They sent out almost 20 boats of the best duck hunters in the state. Normally they would clean 120 or more birds. This year nine, that's right NINE "9" !! Why because there is no healthy hydrilla or duck weed anywhere on the lake. All the habitat is now non existent because of spraying.
Last week they held a one hundred boat bass tournament with a 60% cancellation due to low water ( I will also address), and poor water quality. Of the forty boats that fished, only eight boats weighed in. Winning total was 16 lbs. In the worst conditions it takes 25 lbs and normally 32 or more lbs to win on Kissimmee Chain.
No one will give answers to why the chain has been drawn down so low. Water levels I measured at official river stations were below 48'. Normal healthy levels in Kissimmee are 52.5 or greater. The water is five feet below normal and is still being released, feeding directly to Big O. Almost every dock is now dry land with likelihood of enough rainfall to make any difference is extremely low. Water usually remains high this time of year to provide for Big O agricultural interests, delivered annually during the dry season. We even ran a ground in Hatch in an area usually holding six feet. At the same time they are holding water very high in west Lake Toho, 57' almost five feet above normal and no one will give an answer why.
You might be wondering what does water level have to do with it?? Well this year they sprayed more than I have ever seen into half the total volume of water, concentrating chemicals to an unprecedented level continually delivered directly to Big O.
August 2018 - Photo credits: James R Abernethy
I honestly believe this year was the, "nail in the coffin" for the entire Kissimmee Basin. It saddens me to no end that Florida's complacency has lead to another dead lake system, to go along with the record number of dead and dying Florida lakes as result of aquatic weed control.
I am very fearful of the results, not begun to be tallied, will have on our saltwater fisheries downstream, or the toxicity of south Florida's drinking water.
Then there is the real kicker, since the passage of aquatic weed control act, there has been thirteen super industrial seventy to ninty foot, hydrilla and floating aquatic harvesters collecting dust,that could easily manage all of north central, central, and even put a huge dent into Big O. Mechanical harvesting removes the legacy nutrients with the plants, they are much slower to grow back, but leave habitat and natural vegetation, and these plants are continually removing nutrients.
What is an Aquatic Plant Harvester?
Then our governmental solution is to dig another cess pit south of EAA , estimates are 8 yrs out, to plant with hydrilla to clean water ruined by spraying chemicals on hydrilla.
The only answer is to eliminate nutrients and chemicals at the source. Stopping application of chemicals and nutrients produced by decomposing plants does not cost billions, not eight years out, and if submerged aquatic vegetation allowed to go untouched by chemicals to achieve at least a 30% lake coverage, then mechanically maintained, Floridas toxic lakes will filter themselves naturally. I have seen this firsthand throughout my lifetime.
Florida and the FWC is now totally chemically dependent. I am a retired pastor, sober 22 years and have helped many work thru drug addiction. But just like so many addicted to opioids, because it was prescribed by someone with a title, these people remain in complete denial of short term effects and long term consequences. These are also the hardest people to admit they have a problem, and the most difficult to help rehabilitate.
My heart totally breaks for every person and creature adversely affected by the incompetent decisions made by those employed to protect our State with our federal and state tax dollars. I fear after reports and videos from every corner of this state that this fall was the FINAL CHAPTER for Florida's once pristine water systems.
I have so much more to say on this issue, but this is already way long winded. More blog posts to come or visit my Facebook Page here Thank you ! For your valuable time and consideration Best Regards Pastor Scott Wilson
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The CORE ISSUE Part 2 by Scott Wilson As a follow up to my previous post, I first want to thank the thousands that took time to read, and share my post on "aquatic weed control" throughout all Florida fresh waterways. I believe this is at the heart of Florida's toxic water quality. Again I will add my disclaimer, I am no scientist, or biologist but have spent my entire 57 yrs as a successful fisherman, as a commercial/charter captain in the keys for 24 years. I have also regularly fished every major freshwater lake, and chain lake systems since 1967. And our family handed down our Kissimmee river weekend fish camp we have owned since the 1980's. The first thing any truly successful fisherman learns is to "read the water", its quality, movement, external conditions, and food supplies through the food chain. Although I admittedly am not science educated, I call BS on the science. It has been Florida' "best and brightest" since the late 50's that result in the monumental mess we have now. I have just returned from a three day trip to our Kissimmee river house, to document for myself the condition of the lakes and water quality, I Logged 20 hours, traveling on my boat, the entire distance of shoreline of all the lakes south of the locks at Toho on Southport canal. Here is the accounts on what I found. First: Because of excessive rainfall this spring and summer the water levels in lower Kissimmee basin are very high for this time of year, not historic but very high. The water in all lakes and the river is running very hard, meaning the locks on the river are wide open delivering millions and millions of additional water to Big O daily. Second: the overall water quality is extremely poor, especially in areas that show evidence of recent spraying. The water in Cypress and many huge areas of Kissimmee have the color of "creamed coffee" with near zero visibility, with little or no fish movement. Third: even with very high water levels covering damage done by spring, evidence of spraying damage can easily be found on every pool the worst being several very large portions of Kissimmee. The Issues are that in these areas it's beyond the chemical poisons, but indiscriminate spraying of any thing green, killing acres on acres of natural vegetation that naturally filter water. A large 5 mile strip, running down the eastern shore from about 1/2 mile point into the shoreline are countless acres of natural vegetation now eradicated! On the east side of Strum Island in North Cove area of the lake, large areas wiped out, with now large floating mats of dead decaying muck. Even completely spraying out one of the last natural stands of "pencil reed" in North Cove. Forth: We witnessed spraying every day but Monday. Tuesday morning followed a pair of Chemtainer Airboats working in tandem on the NE corner of Cypress Lake. Less than an hour later, we stopped thirty minutes to watch a helicopter spraying in an area on Cypress next to Cypress canal an area not assessable to boat or air boat. On Wednesday morning found a spray air boat working the areas on eastern shore of Kissimmee where there is so much eradication ,working further to the south. Fifth: after recently completing (2 years ago) a huge multi million dollar contract to dredge the Kissimmee River between Hatch and Kissimmee, needed for "flood control" to have the ability to move more water south. Well apparently according to all the locals failed miserably and filled back in. There is now a project on the opposite side of the river where hundreds of Cypress trees and miles of natural vegetation has been removed, they are dredging from the other side and replacing all the natural vegetation with rip rap for miles. Sixth: Wednesday morning I spent two hours fishing the major period in a traditional high producing areas with healthy looking vegetation. I caught two largemouth bass both about a pound and a half. However judging by length and mouth size both fish should have weighed in the three pound range. The fish were nearly colorless, looking like they are starving, and both had noticeable tumors on their bodies. Seventh: On a more positive note, I did find a few areas on Kissimmee and especially on Hatch with improving water quality. All these areas are areas where there is fresh, green, healthy hydrillia starting to top out. Eighth: I actually had tears when I ran "Grassy Island" on Kissimmee, what was once square miles of some of the most dense vegetation on the lake, Producer of more trophy largemouth through history than almost any place on the chain, is now open water, with only a sprig here and there. There is no place on Grassy you even have slow down This is a slideshare of pictures by Scott Wilson. Each frame will advance automatically or you can click the arrows to advance to the next frame. MY CONCLUSION AND SOLUTION The Kissimmee Lake chain is now sick, from its lessened ability to naturally filter itself. This is directly related to the tripled down governmental effort to "control" aquatic weed. I believe with all my heart that hydrillia could save Florida's toxic water quality. There are many governmental scientific types that consider it invasive and have used it as justification for over spraying our lakes with toxic chemicals for decades. If people are truly serious about saving Florida's water, from chemicals and fertilizers creating nutrients rich outflows now destroying both our fresh and salt water fisheries, our tourist capital and Florida's appeal it's so Simple STOP THE SPRAYING !! LET THE HYDRILLIA GROW THREE YEARS !! Hydrillia grows so fast 1-2 inches a day in good conditions, it produces massive amounts of oxygen, rapidly depletes nutrients like nitrogen, and phosphorus, holds and produces massive amounts of fish life, and can be controlled without chemicals using "paddle wheel" harvesters So how would we fund a large fleet of paddle wheel harvesters ?? Simple : I do not know any fisherman that would not gladly be assessed a small $5 fee to save our fisheries, beaches, and tourism. Add a small impact fee to everyone holding, and out of state fishing license holders. Perhaps reroute some funds from tourism impact fees. Anyone remember what The Almighty did in wake of the BP gulf spill, when we were told the gulf may never recover from massive amounts of oil on the bottom. A never before seen organism that eats oil, shows up, eats the oil, and now they cannot find any oil on the bottom of the gulf God has an amazing way of putting the right things, at the right places, at the right times. Maybe just maybe hydrillia is our answer The answers and policies of the "best and brightest" is what got us to this point, maybe we just need to let creation fix itself, it has an amazing track record STOP THE SPRAYING LET THE HYDRILLIA GROW TWO OR THREE YEARS WHAT DO WE HAVE TO LOOSE?? BUT EVERYTHING WE LOVE Thank you again for your time and consideration Best Regards Pastor Scott Wilson Facebook Page CLICK HERE LEAVE A COMMENT
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