Have y'all had enough of the "Rough and Tumble" of politics in a (one participating registered voter = one official secret ballot cast) democracy yet? After 500 days or so of an all-out, no-holds-barred campaign; the general election of 11/8/16 is finally over, the votes have been counted, and the winners have been declared. It definitely was something to tell your grandchildren about, right? Maybe even show them the videos from it, do you think? Ah, but first you might want to wait until they are at least 18 years old, ha, ha! So is it goodbye to political stuff for a while as far as you are concerned? Or do you still have some "fire in the belly" (in reserve) to continue supporting another hard-fought cause that just might need your help to hopefully get something started in earnest that is both beneficial for this area and NON-PARTISAN? Yes, you may begin to be thinking this -- because "Ocklawahaman" is writing to you yet again -- unfortunately, the campaign to free the Ocklawaha River is not over yet! "Ocklawahaman" believes that maybe now -- shortly after the 11/8/16 general election's completion -- is a good time to check the latest numbers available (a "head count") of those sincere folks that currently support "Ocklawahaman" and these interested groups that are seriously involved with the issue of whether or not Florida's designated agencies should begin the restoration to free-and-swift-flowing again "Source to the Sea" of the "Real-Florida-By-God" 56-mainstream-mile Silver Springs-Silver River-Ocklawaha River system of north-central Florida; which would only be made possible by the breaching of Rodman (Kirkpatrick) Dam. "OCKLAWAHAMAN" PAUL NOSCA: "Ocklawahaman" Paul Nosca, who strives for accuracy and honesty, worships zealously a more natural Ocklawaha River valley that includes the restoration of the 56 river miles from Silver Springs to the St. Johns as a free-and-swift-flowing stream. A private, retired citizen and U.S. Army veteran, he is a member of NO environmental organization but volunteers his Ocklawaha River experience, observations, research, and sources to individuals or groups that share his zeal for this old "crooked river." "Ocklawahaman" has canoed, explored, fished, hiked, and lawfully hunted the Florida outdoors since 1962 (and still does). Unlike almost everybody else involved with this issue, more of his life's outdoor time has actually been spent in the Ocklawaha River basin (its waters and its jungle-like swamps and hammocks) than anywhere else. And "Ocklawahaman" has actively advocated for Ocklawaha River restoration since 2006. The "FREE THE OCKLAWAHA RIVER BY THE BREACHING OF RODMAN DAM" online petition created on 6/24/16 by "Ocklawahaman" Paul Nosca at https://www.change.org/p/st-johns-river-water-management-district-free-the-ocklawaha-river-by-the-breaching-of-rodman-dam currently (as of 1600 hrs EST on 2/23/17) has 2,049 public signatures of supporters (THAT HAVE SIGNED FOR-FREE $$$) -- some of which are from outside of Florida's Ocklawaha-St. Johns River basin area. The "Do You Favor the Breaching of Rodman Dam to Restore a Free-Flowing Ocklawaha River?" online SECRET VOTE POLL created on 8/23/16 by "Ocklawahaman" Paul Nosca at http://www.poll-maker.com/poll790342x4Bd4496B-32 currently (as of 1600 hrs EST on 2/23/17) has 203 "Yes" votes and only 19 "No" votes. This SECRET (VOTE FOR-FREE $$$) POLL is for state or federal employees who aren't allowed to publicly sign the "FREE THE OCKLAWAHA RIVER BY THE BREACHING OF RODMAN DAM" petition because of social media policies that might apply to them. "SAVE RODMAN RESERVOIR": The not-for-profit group "Save Rodman Reservoir" (Palatka, Florida) formed in 1995 and reportedly has more than 1,700 dues-paying members. Their "Facebook" page (as of 1300 hrs EST on 12/15/16) has 3,392 "likes" -- this organization is AGAINST breaching Rodman Dam and river restoration. Some of the "Save Rodman Reservoir" supporters are from outside of Florida's Ocklawaha-St. Johns River basin area. "AUDUBON FLORIDA": The not-for-profit group "Audubon Florida" started in 1900 and is the state’s oldest environmental group, comprised of over 35,000 paid members, and local chapters throughout Florida. Their "Facebook" page (as of 1300 hrs EST on 11/10/16) has 12,310 "likes" and they seem to support Ocklawaha River restoration. They are of course associated with the "National Audubon Society." "FLORIDA DEFENDERS OF THE ENVIRONMENT": The not-for-profit group "Florida Defenders of the Environment" (FDE) was established in 1969 to advocate for the protection and restoration of Florida’s natural environment. They have somewhere between 2,000 and 3,000 dues-contributing members and their "Facebook" page (as of 1300 hrs EST on 11/10/16) has 5,516 "likes" and FDE (Melrose, Florida) supports Ocklawaha River restoration. "FLORIDA WILDLIFE FEDERATION": The not-for-profit group "Florida Wildlife Federation" (FWF) was founded in 1936 and is a Florida conservation organization comprised of over 14,000 dues-paying members and approximately 60,000 supporters. Their "Facebook" page (as of 1300 hrs EST on 11/10/16) has 10,701 "likes" and FWF (Tallahassee, Florida) supports Ocklawaha River restoration. They are of course associated with the "National Wildlife Federation." "PUTNAM COUNTY ENVIRONMENTAL COUNCIL": The not-for-profit group "Putnam County Environmental Council" (PCEC) is an environmental awareness and conservation organization in Putnam County, Florida. Their "Facebook" page (as of 1300 hrs EST on 11/10/16) has 160 "likes" and PCEC supports Ocklawaha River restoration. "SAVE THE MANATEE CLUB": The not-for-profit group "Save the Manatee Club" (SMC) is an organization formed in 1981 of over 40,000 paid members throughout the country advocating for the conservation of the Florida manatee. Their "Facebook" page (as of 1300 hrs EST on 11/10/16) has 120,100 "likes" and SMC (Maitland, Florida) supports Ocklawaha River restoration as it would increase available winter habitat for manatees. "ST. JOHNS RIVERKEEPER": The not-for-profit group "St. Johns Riverkeeper" (SJRK) organized in 2000 and is a conservation organization with 1,400 or more dues-contributing members who use and enjoy the waters of the St. Johns River for boating, fishing, and observing birds and other wildlife. Their "Facebook" page (as of 1300 hrs EST on 11/10/16) has 11,540 "likes" and SJRK (Jacksonville, Florida) supports Ocklawaha River restoration because it is beneficial to the entire St. Johns River basin. "SIERRA CLUB FLORIDA": "Sierra Club Florida" is the Florida chapter of the Sierra Club and consists of over 20,000 dues-paying members residing within the state of Florida. They are of course associated with the national "Sierra Club" which is a not-for-profit conservation organization that was established in 1892. The "Sierra Club Florida" "Facebook" page (as of 1300 hrs EST on 11/10/16) has 9,798 "likes" and they agree with Ocklawaha River restoration. That ends the summary of the latest numbers -- FOR and AGAINST. ------------------------------------------------------------- "Let us leave no bit of useful information uncollected, unstudied, or unused in our shared work for the restoration to free-flowing again of Florida's 56-mile Silver and Ocklawaha River system" - "Ocklawahaman" Paul Nosca. The SJRWMD "Technical Publication SJ2016-1" by John Hendrickson contains the data -- about DISSOLVED SILICA, NITROGEN, and PHOSPHORUS (and their combined effects on possible [downstream] St. Johns River harmful algal blooms) -- best supporting that the restoration of the Ocklawaha River will be beneficial for the entire St. Johns River basin. http://www.sjrwmd.com/technicalreports/pdfs/TP/SJ2016-1.pdf FOLKS, we are continuing to add more FOR-FREE $$$ signatures supporting the "FREE THE OCKLAWAHA RIVER BY THE BREACHING OF RODMAN DAM" (https://www.change.org/p/st-johns-river-water-management-district-free-the-ocklawaha-river-by-the-breaching-of-rodman-dam) online petition. This is possibly the most important petition in the history of the Ocklawaha River issue since those that were sent to President Lyndon Johnson and later President Richard Nixon asking that the Cross Florida Barge Canal (CFBC) be stopped. Remember that it was the Republican President Nixon (1/19/1971) that halted the CFBC. "Lest we forget" all that has been accomplished for Ocklawaha River restoration and the breaching of Rodman Dam by the various non-governmental watchdog "bureaucracies" since 1971. Has it amounted to "a spit in the river?" "Ocklawahaman" is willing to believe that you might have a sincere opinion about that question. "Ocklawahaman" is of the honest opinion that you should consider the following while you still can: PLEASE SIGN -- FOR-FREE $$$ -- THIS PETITION! It currently has 2,049 supporters as of 1600 hrs EST 2/23/17. At some point beyond the 2,000 signature baseline "Ocklawahaman" shall contact SJRWMD to arrange for a hearing(s) with certain staff and/or management where "Ocklawahaman" and Captain Erika Ritter will do their best to represent the will of this petition's signatories -- who "do hereby respectfully petition the SJRWMD and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FL DEP) to earnestly begin, move forward with, and finally carry out the process of restoring to free-and-swift-flowing-again the Ocklawaha River -- 'Source to the Sea' -- from its Silver Springs supreme headwaters to its St. Johns River estuary. This restoration process would require the breaching of the earthen Kirkpatrick (Rodman) Dam at the location where the historic Ocklawaha River channel flowed through it prior to September 30, 1968." It may be the MOST IMPORTANT THING that YOU can do (or have ever done) to assist SJRWMD and FL DEP to determine that the best interests of the greater St. Johns River basin are enhanced by the restoration of a free-and-swift flowing-again "Source to the Sea" 56-mainstream-mile "Real-Florida-By-God" Silver Springs-Silver River-Ocklawaha River system. Where else can you get "this much bang for the $$$ buck?" "Ocklawahaman" NEEDS YOUR FOR-FREE $$$ HELP! This "FREE THE OCKLAWAHA RIVER BY THE BREACHING OF RODMAN DAM" online petition is being actively promoted by "Ocklawahaman" via private email and on "Change.org", "Facebook", "Linkedin", "Naymz", "Poll-Maker.com", "Sites.Google.com", "Twitter", "Youtube", and "Vimeo" social media. "Ocklawahaman" thanks all of those social media sites for their help with this honorable endeavor to restore a free-flowing-again "Source to the Sea" Silver Springs-Silver River-Ocklawaha River system. Show your support for the free migration -- St. Johns River to Silver Springs -- of the Florida manatee, channel catfish, and Atlantic-race STRIPED BASS. Note that the native Atlantic-race STRIPED BASS lost its only suitable spawning habitat of the entire St. Johns River basin (and the most southern in the U.S.) when Rodman (Kirkpatrick) Dam was closed across the Ocklawaha River on September 30, 1968. Riverine LARGEMOUTH BASS have been native to the Ocklawaha River for thousands of years -- they don't need Rodman Dam or Rodman Reservoir for their survival! Thank you to all that have already signed this petition FOR-FREE $$$ https://www.change.org/p/st-johns-river-water-management-district-free-the-ocklawaha-river-by-the-breaching-of-rodman-dam and desire a free-and-swift-flowing-again "Source to the Sea" 56-mainstream-mile "Real-Florida-By-God" Silver Springs-Silver River-Ocklawaha River system! Currently (as of 1600 hrs EST 2/23/17) there are 2,049 public signatures supporting the breaching of Rodman Dam. What does this number represent? "Ocklawahaman" reckons it means that 2,049 INDIVIDUALS so far have been willing to BOLDLY and PUBLICLY add their name (sort-of like "John Hancock" did in 1776) FOR-FREE $$$ -- following their own sincere whims, wishes, wants, or purposes (whatever) -- to this outdoorsman-single-citizen-created "Declaration of Independence from Rodman Dam" proclamation that is officially known to SJRWMD and FL DEP as the "FREE THE OCKLAWAHA RIVER BY THE BREACHING OF RODMAN DAM" online petition. -------------------------------------------- Read this 7/11/16 email from SJRWMD's contact person to "Ocklawahaman" Paul Nosca: "Paul, So long as everyone is aware that we are housing the petitions, and so long as everyone knows we will not be sending receipts to petitioners, I think we are fine. You will always have an open dialogue available with me, and I may even recommend you come to our board meeting tomorrow to tell our board that you have over 1,000 signatures; which is an impressive feat!" -------------------------------------------- When "Ocklawahaman" meets in the future with staff and/or management of the SJRWMD in Palatka wouldn't it be impressive to have many more than 2,000 such "votes" of individual citizens supporting restoration that "Ocklawahaman" represents? Encourage others and spouses and/or significant others to support this grassroots petition! ONE problem that "FREE THE OCKLAWAHA RIVER BY THE BREACHING OF RODMAN DAM" has now is that an individual person signs it BUT THEIR SPOUSE OR SIGNIFICANT OTHER DOES NOT! So instead of TWO signatures the petition only gets ONE! Remember that in the "Rough and Tumble" of politics, TWO (or THREE) "votes" beats ONE! Both "Ocklawahaman" Paul Nosca and Captain Erika Ritter have signed FOR-FREE $$$ this petition. Are WE (including YOU) serious about getting Ocklawaha restoration started in earnest? Or are WE (including YOU) just talking TRASH? IMPORTANT NOTE: "Ocklawahaman" Paul Nosca is a private retired citizen (a member of NO environmental organization) and does not seek $$$ and does not accept any $$$ contributions for the administration and promotion of his individually-created petition! The State of Florida and the United States governments that own almost all of the Ocklawaha River's water and its submerged and corridor lands collect taxes from MOST all of us. Lets FOR-FREE $$$ encourage Florida and the U.S.A. to wisely follow the principals of ecology and FREE THE OCKLAWAHA RIVER BY THE BREACHING OF RODMAN DAM! Sign the petition FOR-FREE $$$! And keep in mind that the last available online data -- that "Ocklawahaman" has been able to uncover -- about the Save Rodman Reservoir, Inc. not-for-profit group shows that they have about 1,700 contributing $$$ members! Are we serious about getting Ocklawaha restoration started in earnest? Or are we just talking TRASH? Please be aware that many active public employees of the Federal and/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 their situation because "Ocklawahaman" himself was a dedicated, loyal, and patriotic U.S. and Florida governmental employee before retirement. For these government employees that aren't allowed to sign the petition publicly, "Ocklawahaman" has created a SECRET VOTE "Do You Favor the Breaching of Rodman Dam to Restore a Free-Flowing Ocklawaha River?" online poll at http://www.poll-maker.com/poll790342x4Bd4496B-32. As of 1600 hrs EST on 2/23/17 the results of this SECRET VOTE online poll are 203 "Yes" for breaching Rodman Dam and only 19 "No" (against breaching Rodman Dam). "Ocklawahaman" Paul Nosca, who strives for accuracy and honesty, worships zealously a more natural Ocklawaha River valley that includes the restoration of the 56 mainstream river miles from Silver Springs to the St. Johns as a free-and-swift-flowing stream again. A private, retired citizen and U.S. Army veteran, he is a member of NO environmental organization but volunteers his Ocklawaha River experience, observations, research, and sources to individuals or groups that share his zeal for this old "crooked river." "Ocklawahaman" has canoed, explored, fished, hiked, and lawfully hunted the Florida outdoors since 1962 (and still does). UNLIKE ALMOST EVERYBODY ELSE INVOLVED WITH THIS ISSUE, more of his life's outdoor time has actually been spent in the Ocklawaha River basin (canoeing its waters and swamp-stomping or hammock-humping its jungle-like swamps and hammocks) than anywhere else. And "Ocklawahaman" has actively advocated for Ocklawaha River restoration since 2006. ALL PROBABLY SHOULD KNOW THE FOLLOWING FACT: "Ocklawahaman" already has bass-fishing, canoeing, hunting, and exploration access to the best, coolest-watered, and most natural remaining part of the Ocklawaha River and its splendidly-forested wilderness corridor (i.e., the middle Ocklawaha River from the Silver River inflow/SR-40 Bridge to the Eureka/CR-316 Bridge). Along with Captain Erika Ritter, "Ocklawahaman" owns property at Eureka that borders the Marjorie Harris Carr Cross Florida Greenway and the Ocklawaha. "Ocklawahaman" can request the FWC to stock more striped bass and channel catfish into those 18 river miles. And "Ocklawahaman" can go back to being happily retired! But for now until somewhat more than 2,000 supporting signatures have been obtained, "Ocklawahaman" is going to try to do a selfless thing as JOB #ONE -- promote and administrate this "FREE THE OCKLAWAHA RIVER BY THE BREACHING OF RODMAN DAM" online petition so that WE, while daring greatly for a worthy cause, can finally make a difference! This "FREE THE OCKLAWAHA RIVER BY THE BREACHING OF RODMAN DAM" online petition is being actively promoted by "Ocklawahaman" via private email and on "Change.org", "Facebook", "Linkedin", "Naymz", "Poll-Maker.com", "Sites.Google.com", "Twitter", "Youtube", and "Vimeo" social media. "Ocklawahaman" thanks all of those social media sites for their help with this honorable endeavor to restore a free-flowing-again "Source to the Sea" Silver Springs-Silver River- Ocklawaha River system. During the first half of 2017, "Ocklawahaman" will be hoping to negotiate his best possible hearing(s) with staff and/or management of the SJRWMD -- the more public signatures that he represents, the louder shall be the "voice" of "Ocklawahaman" for breaching Rodman Dam! Captain Erika Ritter was once told by a high-ranking official of the Marjorie Harris Carr Cross Florida Greenway, "The squeaky wheel gets the grease!" Help "Ocklawahaman" if possible FOR-FREE -- sign the petition (if you haven't already) which currently (as of 1600 hrs EST 2/23/17) has 2,049 signatures. Thank you very much to all of you for your time reading this webpage and for any positive consideration that you might have towards signing the "FREE THE OCKLAWAHA RIVER BY THE BREACHING OF RODMAN DAM" petition and/or encouraging others to do so! And know that I am in favor of a free-and-swift-flowing-again "Source to the Sea" 56-mainstream-mile "Real-Florida-By-God" Silver Springs-Silver River-Ocklawaha River system! How about YOU? Most sincerely, "Ocklawahaman" Paul Nosca. THE SONG "Ocklawaha, Set Her Free" videos at: https://vimeo.com/179479588 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aIUn5Hg5ePE "There are lake fishermen, and there are river fishermen, and seldom do the twain agree!" - The original author’s name is unknown to me. -------------------------------------------- PETITION SIGNERS, again, YOU may also want to email SJRWMD & FL DEP directly! The "FREE THE OCKLAWAHA RIVER BY THE BREACHING OF RODMAN DAM" online petition at https://www.change.org/p/st-johns-river-water-management-district-free-the-ocklawaha-river-by-the-breaching-of-rodman-dam now has more than 2,000 SIGNATURES of individual folks that are in favor of a free-and-swift-flowing-again "Source to the Sea" Silver Springs-Silver River-Ocklawaha River 56-mainstream-mile system by breaching Rodman (Kirkpatrick) Dam. Again, YOU may also want to email your comments -- after your FOR-FREE $$$ SIGNATURE has been added to this petition -- to SJRWMD & FL DEP directly! mailto:clerk@sjrwmd.com mailto:applicationsupport@sjrwmd.com mailto:public.services@dep.state.fl.us You then should eventually (if not right away) get a reply email to your own email address from SJRWMD & FL DEP -- logging in your name AND COMMENT as a FLORIDA PUBLIC RECORD. My Mom's ONE email to all 3 SJRWMD & FL DEP addresses can serve as an example for you -- IMPORTANT, PLEASE INSERT YOUR OWN NAME AND YOUR OWN COMMENT though! -------------------------------------------- To: clerk@sjrwmd.com applicationsupport@sjrwmd.com public.services@dep.state.fl.us Hello SJRWMD and FL DEP: Regarding the "FREE THE OCKLAWAHA RIVER BY THE BREACHING OF RODMAN DAM" petition at: https://www.change.org/p/st-johns-river-water-management-district-free-the-ocklawaha-river-by-the-breaching-of-rodman-dam I have signed the petition. I stand with my late friend Gwen Parramore Ritter (Capt. Erika's Mom) and my son Paul. FREE THE OCKLAWAHA RIVER! Jennie Nosca, Saint Petersburg, FL -------------------------------------------- I realize that signing this petition FOR-FREE $$$ is causing you some use of your time and possibly some extra unwanted emails in your in-box. And I also realize that I may be testing the patience -- with my seemingly endless "guest" postings advertising this petition -- of many good folks that administrate a "Facebook" page for a well-intentioned group. I hope that you believe as I do that this effort is for a worthy cause -- A free-and-swift-flowing-again "Source to the Sea" (from its Silver Springs supreme headwaters to its St. Johns River estuary) 56-mainstream-mile "Real-Florida-By-God" Silver Springs-Silver River-Ocklawaha River system. For the free migration of Florida-native (for thousands of years): manatees, striped bass, American eels, American shad, channel catfish, riverine LARGEMOUTH BASS, black bears, Florida panther, etc. Most sincerely, "Ocklawahaman" Paul Nosca