TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Water Flow Cut To Apalachicola

ADVERTISEMENT

By BILLY HOUSE, The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 17, 2007

WASHINGTON - The Bush administration began reducing the water flow from Georgia into the Apalachicola River on Friday, despite a new federal analysis confirming Florida's claims that some federally protected mussels and Gulf sturgeon would be killed.

The "biological opinion" announced by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, however, also concludes the action would not wipe out any federally protected species.

Even if some of a federally listed species are injured or killed, the agency noted, such actions are legal if done "for the benefit of the American people."

Cutting the flow from Atlanta's main reservoirs, mainly Lake Lanier, is intended to maintain that drought-stricken city's water supply at a time when the lake level is at a record low.

Florida officials said they will monitor the impact on the river and wildlife, but will hold off on any legal action until further analysis of the U.S. Corps of Engineers water flow plan and the biological impact opinion released Friday.

Gov. Charlie Crist said he was disappointed in the decision, but added, "Florida remains committed to and will continue to focus on the needs of the people who depend on a healthy Apalachicola Bay."

Michael Sole, secretary of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, warned that the plan "jeopardizes the threatened and endangered species of the river and starves overall health of the fragile ecosystem."

In announcing the water flow reduction during a news conference, Interior Secretary Dirk Kempthorne said, however, that the action was necessary because of a drought of "historic proportions."

Atlanta Could Remain Thirsty

If the corps does not hold back water now - and if extreme drought conditions in the region continue - there may not be enough water in storage next summer to meet the needs of the more than 3 million residents of metropolitan Atlanta, he and other officials said.

"The goal is not to wait until things are at their worst before you act," added James Connaughton, chairman of the President's Council on Environmental Quality.

"The corps has begun these changes in operations today," added Brig. Gen. Joseph Schroedel, the corps' South Atlantic Division Commander.

Connaughton added, "If the drought persists, we will need to look at more drastic measures."

Crist, along with the governors of Georgia and Alabama, has pledged to meet Dec. 12 in Tallahassee to develop a longer range plan.

The three states have been feuding over water rights since 1990, but a relentless Southeastern drought has reignited the tensions.

For now, the Fish & Wildlife Service agreed to let the corps pursue a gradual reduction in flow to 4,500 cubic feet per second, or 33,600 gallons per second, through June 1.

The average flow has been closer to 5,000 cfs, and Sole contends that anything below that likely would cause harm to wildlife and marine species along the Apalachicola River.

In its opinion released Friday morning, the Fish & Wildlife Service acknowledged the reduced flow likely would result in the death and injury of some federally protected mussels and sturgeon in Florida's Panhandle. It said the corps will be taking measures to minimize that effect.

Plan Makes Mussels Vulnerable

The opinion specifically cited the federally protected fat threeridge mussel as the most vulnerable.

These mussels live in shallow water, and the government scientists estimated 9 percent of the mussels will be exposed when the flows into the river decrease. During the past decade, this species appears to be producing fewer young individuals into the population.

Some lowering of the fresh water flowing into Apalachicola Bay also will occur, but the agency says this would happen with or without the corps' plan because of the drought.

Juvenile sturgeon, in particular, could be affected; adult sturgeon appear to be adapted to higher salinity, or saltwater levels, the opinion states.

In addition, Gulf sturgeon spawning habitat in the river may be reduced by 1 to 3 acres.

Oyster and crab harvests already have been suffering because of the diminished flow in the Apalachicola River, according to Kevin Begos, executive director of the Franklin County Oyster & Seafood Industry Task Force.

Fresh water flow is vital to the health of shellfish.

"Harvests of oysters, flounder and crab are already crashing because of the excessive salt water in the bay, and tupelo honey trees in the surrounding swamps are also threatened," Begos said.

Franklin County is poor and relies heavily on the seafood industry.

"This is not just a few mussels or sturgeon," Begos said. "It's going to put people out of work."

Reporter Mike Salinero contributed to this story. Reporter Billy House can be reached at (202) 662-7673 or bhouse@tampatrib .com.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT