Melissa Ross
Advocates for the health of the St. Johns River are heading out on the waterway for a 13-day tour.
According to the St. Johns Riverkeeper, which is leading the “Save the St. Johns River” event, the Tuesday launch coincided with World Water Day, an international day of awareness for water issues.
The event features a team of river advocates journeying by boat along the 310-mile length of the river, from the headwaters at Fort Drum to the river’s mouth at Mayport.
“We had amazing day yesterday on Blue Cypress Lake, Fort Drum Marsh and touring restoration projects in the Upper Basin,” St. Johns Riverkeeper Lisa Rinaman told Florida Politics. Rinaman says the river tour is designed to unite river supporters and raise awareness about the degradation of the waterway.
“Unfortunately, just east of where we are today, the Indian River Lagoon is experiencing a massive fish kill most likely due to nutrient pollution runoff from fertilizer, failing septic tanks and sewer spills. A sad example of why we are fighting to protect the St. Johns and Florida’s waters.”
