Sta Hunting

[N. Cook]

WE are entering a critical time for the possibilty of hunting on the STAs. There is strong bias against hunting them. If they are not hunted they will hold the majority of ducks in central and south Florida and duck hunting will be detrimentally effected from Lake Kissimmee to the glades. I am posting a suggested topic letter on the UW-F Yahoo group site with the names of those who need to hear from duckhunters asap. If you want to participate the following are three key people you can write:

Mr. Fred Davis
Director- Land Stewardship
SFWMD
P. O. BOX 24680
West Palm Beach, FL 33416

(Mr. Davis is negative toward opening the STAs)

Mr. Henry Dean
Executive Director
SFWMD

Mr. Nicolas J. Gutierrez, Jr.
Chair-Governing Board
SFWMD

Please keep comments positive! There is a fear activity in the STAs will "stir up" the contaminants.....it will be a "walk in" at best. Speak to the waterfowlers' need to be quite and still and not impact the enviroment in order to be successful.

[BlindHog]

S.T.A. stands for ??

[Converted]

STA = Stormwater Treatment Area:)

It wouldn't hurt to write your congressman as well. It is my understanding from talking with a FWC officer that a member of congress was instrumental in getting STA 5 opened up.

This is a huge issue for central and south Florida duck hunting. I think we should get DU and Delta actively involved. More members writting letters can't hurt.

My wife knows Sen. Ken Pruitt and his wife from business contacts. I'm trying to setup a meeting. Newton, you want to come?

[N. Cook]

I would be glad to come....and Jeff probably would represent DELTA. I don't believe people understand the importance of this issue.....just in yesterdays Palm Beach Post is an article that these "reseviors" may be built and maintained by "private" companies........just another complication in getting any public access if that happens. The STA's could end up giant private hunting reserves.

[Converted]

Here's a copy of the letter I sent to Sen Pruitt.

November 14, 2003

Senator Ken Pruitt
1850 SW Fountainview Blvd.
Suite 200
Port St. Lucie, FL 34986-3443

Re South Florida Water Management District Land Management

Dear Senator Pruitt:

I am an avid waterfowl hunter, conservationist, and a very conservative Republican. I am deeply troubled by a trend in the recreational access rights being granted by the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD). As you know, we the people, are buying large tracts of wetlands and converting them into Storm Water Treatment Areas (STA’s) in order to clean up the everglades and tidewater estuaries. I am fully supportive of the State buying the land. The problem arises when the steward of the land blocks public access to land that the tax paying public owns. I understand that there are legitimate areas such as water control structures that must be kept off limits but there are huge tracts of prime waterfowl habitat that should be opened for FWCC managed hunting. My 13 year old son and I had our worst year in memory this past duck season. I asked an FWCC officer what had happened to all the ducks. He replied “they’re holding on the STA’s by the thousands.” Last year STA 5 was opened on an experimental basis. SFWMD reported that there were “NO PROBLEMS” with that experiment. We need to get the remaining STA’s opened as well.

In a good year, Florida is one of the top 10 states in the country for waterfowl harvest. This recreational activity brings millions of dollars into the economy. The future of waterfowling in central and south Florida is in great danger. If these STA’s are kept off limits, the ducks will settle down and hunting on Lake Okeechobee and in the glades and surrounding areas will be destroyed.

I would greatly appreciate the opportunity to meet with you and discuss this issue and the solutions that should be implemented. In my opinion, the bureaucrats at SFWMD need to be pressured by state officials into keeping the best interest of the public at the fore front of their decision-making processes. Another prime example is the Toho draw down, it’s impact on Lake Okeechobee and the resulting inevitable discharges into the St. Lucie estuary.

Sincerely,

David J. Lithgow

Member:
United Waterfowlers of Florida
Ducks Unlimited
Delta Waterfowl