Jacksonville Mayor
John Delaney outlined plans this morning for an environmental summit
that he described as the first step in a vast initiative to restore
the health of the St. Johns River.
"This obviously is going to be a multibillion-dollar effort. But
just because it's big, doesn't mean it isn't doable," Delaney said
after a news conference called to announce
|
The rising sun
reflects off the St. Johns River at downtown Jacksonville. The
310-mile river flows through an area that is home to 3.5
million people.
--Will Dickey/staff
|
the St. Johns
River Summit, a free event that will be held Jan. 13 and 14 at the
Prime Osborn Convention Center.
The two-day meeting is designed as a follow-up to a smaller 1997
event that helped focus public support for programs to repair the
effects of pollution and development on the waterway that splits
Northeast Florida. The first summit addressed issues only within the
lower St. Johns, but organizers of the new event said it would deal
with the entire 310-mile-long river.
Delaney was joined by the regional head of the Florida Department
of Environmental Protection and the executive director of the St.
Johns River Water Management District, who said significant steps
should be taken to improve the river's condition.
Kirby Green, the water management
district's executive director, said the river may become a source of
drinking water in future years and that protecting water quality
will become a matter of public necessity.
Delaney said any restoration might unfold over 20 years, and that
the summit will create only a starting point for pursuing projects
that will require state and federal funds.
The summit will beto the public.
