The following excerpted (exactly) text, sentences, and/or paragraphs are copied from pages 11-13 and 52-53 of: Muller and Associates, Inc. 2007. Marjorie Harris Carr Cross Florida Greenway management plan (15 June 2007). Prepared by Muller and Associates, Inc. with the Office of Greenways and Trails, Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Tallahassee, FL. http://www.dep.state.fl.us/gwt/cfg/Plan_PDF/CFG_LMP_Final.pdf "Hydrology/Water Management" "Numerous groups have urged the removal of the Kirkpatrick (formerly Rodman) Dam and restoration of Rodman Reservoir to the Ocklawaha River floodplain since the 1970s because of the impact of the reservoir on the Ocklawaha River and floodplain and associated ecosystems. There is resistance to this from other groups such as sports-fishing related organizations and businesses. The Governor and Cabinet, sitting as the Board of Trustees of the Internal Improvement Trust Fund, have an established policy that the Ocklawaha River should be 'partially restored' (see explanation below), with the Florida Dept. of Environmental Protection as the lead agency. However, the Legislature has not appropriated funds for this purpose. If funds are made available and permits are issued, it is the intent of FDEP to undertake this restoration. SJRWMD is investigating the potential impact on the St. Johns River from restoration of the Ocklawaha." "Kirkpatrick Dam caused the flooding of a portion of Ocala National Forest lands. The flooding and occupying of these lands was allowed under a special permit from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service first issued in 1994. This special permit expired in 2002. DEP applied for a new permit, but the Forest Service included conditions about the issuance of the new permit, including a schedule for the reservoir to be drawn down and the dam to be breached. The Secretary of DEP did not sign the Forest Service permit because the permit(s) from SJRWMD necessary to draw down the reservoir had not been approved." "'Partial restoration', the restoration alternative selected by the Governor and Cabinet in 1995, is intended to restore river hydrology and floodplain function to near preconstruction conditions through breaching of the dam, with limited removal and/or alteration of structures and alteration of topography. This alternative will retrieve National Forest System lands at the lowest cost while restoring river and floodplain hydrology. The major components of partial restoration are: 1. Drawdown of the reservoir to be accomplished in 3 phases (three years to drop from 18 to four feet National Geodetic Vertical Datum). 2. Limited construction of channel stabilization and erosion control structures in the Ocklawaha River. 3. Limited planting of native plant species to provide for erosion control. 4. Partial leveling of the exposed barge canal side-cast spoil berms. 5. Restoration of the historic Ocklawaha River channel flow by filling the barge canal where it intersects the river channel. 6. Restoration of the historic Deep Creek channel flow by filling the barge canal where it intersects the creek channel. 7. Restoration of the historic Camp Branch floodplain and channel flow by filling the barge canal where it intersects the creek channel. 8. Closure and securing of the Buckman Lock. 9. Removal of 2,000 feet of the Kirkpatrick dam (earthen portion). 10. Partial filling and restoration of the spillway tailrace to natural grade. 11. Development and implementation of a cultural resources operating plan." "The projected cost for repairs and to bring the Buckman Lock, Kirkpatrick Dam and Spillway and the Eureka Lock and Dam up to latest standards for operation is $14.1 million. This estimate is based on the April 2005 inspection report and years of historical data from the Inglis Lock and Dam repair projects and assessment reports. The estimated cost for restoration of the Ocklawaha River is $25.8 million. The yearly operating costs for the dam components and activities and the operating costs for the area after restoration are approximately the same, $198,000 and $234,000 respectively. Snagging for navigation maintenance is expected to increase after river restoration, contributing to almost half of the annual operating cost after restoration." "Desired Future Conditions" "By 2057, the Marjorie Harris Carr Cross Florida Greenway exceeds the original vision. Through an enthusiastic and determined effort, the uplands and wetlands of the Greenway are now restored natural communities, not just in appearance, but in function as well. The Ocklawaha River is once again free-flowing, and its formerly submerged floodplain is flourishing. The remnant scrub, sandhill and flatwoods in place when the state assumed ownership are flourishing and expanding due to a well-designed and executed prescribed burn and restoration regime. Formerly disturbed areas are well into a program that includes restoration of groundcover as well as overstory." "The Greenway extends beyond its original barge canal boundaries through purchases made possible by Preservation 2000, Florida Forever and Florida 2100, the state’s century-long conservation lands acquisition and restoration program. The north-south wildlife corridors on the Greenway’s east and west ends are a reality, with strong continuous, ecological connections extending on the eastern end from the Wekiva/Volusia/Ocala National Forest complex through the Greenway to Camp Blanding, Osceola National Forest, Pinhook Swamp and the Okeefenokee Swamp. On the western end, the Greenway is an integral connector between the Chassahowitzka/Crystal River complex and the Goethe/Waccasassa/Suwannee complex to the north. The central part of the Greenway also sustains important natural communities and provides a movement corridor." "The Ocklawaha River continues to produce trophy bass, and people still enjoy the simplicity of catching panfish with their kids. The paddling trails of the Greenway continue to be popular. Paddlers can enter the Ocklawaha from a variety of access points, including the St. Johns River. Public ownership of the Ocklawaha River banks allows paddlers to immerse themselves in the experience of an undeveloped river and floodplain. Some choose to paddle upstream from the St. Johns River to the Silver River; others prefer the easier, downstream paddle originating at Silver Springs." "CFG staff are planning events for the 50th anniversary of the designation of the Ocklawaha River as a National Wild and Scenic River." Thank you to all that have already signed this petition FOR-FREE and desire a free-flowing "Source to the Sea" 56-mainstream-mile "Real-Florida-By-God" Ocklawaha River - Silver River - Silver Springs system! Encourage others and spouses and/or significant others to do the same! Please be aware that many active public employees of the Federal or State (of Florida) governments who agree with this "FREE THE OCKLAWAHA RIVER BY THE BREACHING OF RODMAN DAM" petition will be very reluctant to sign it publicly because of social media policies that may apply to them -- they have their careers, retirements, and families to consider! "Ocklawahaman" understands because I was a U.S. and Florida governmental employee before retirement. Thanks for your support! Sincerely, "Ocklawahaman" Paul Nosca.