"OCKLAWAHAMAN shall make his last stand at crooked river flowing through sugar-sand." 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 by the breaching of Rodman Dam is PERSONAL -- it is my only environmental job number one! "OCKLAWAHAMAN" and the Florida Wildlife Federation? "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." But before "Ocklawahaman" went independent in 2008-- or what some may consider as going "rogue" -- he actually, in the distant past, was a card-carrying member of an established Florida angler-hunter-outdoorsman oriented conservation group. THE PHOTOS: Notice the logo on my hat, YES, "Ocklawahaman" was an official member of and/or donated $$$ (through "United Way" payroll deductions) to the Florida Wildlife Federation (FWF) for about 20 years from the early 1980's until 2003. Although I occasionally canoed other segments of the Ocklawaha, in the early 1980's my usual canoeing- exploring- fishing-hunting "haunt" was the lower Ocklawaha River (and its braided side-creeks, floodplain swamps, and hammocks) of Putnam County between Rodman Dam Spillway and the St. Johns River -- normally launching my canoe into the water at the Turpentine Creek Bridge (FL-19) or the Johnson Field (FL-19) Boat Ramp. On a couple of trips "Ocklawahaman" happened-up on another dedicated canoeing outdoorsman of the lower Ocklawaha River valley -- the late Jack Stanley (a FWF director). Jack and I talked "Ocklawaha" together and he encouraged me to become a member of the FWF because FWF was working to remove Rodman Dam and return the Ocklawaha to free-flowing again. From my conversations with Mr. Stanley it appeared to me that FWF was a statewide non-governmental group of fishermen, hunters, and other outdoor enthusiasts that jointly offered advice and opinion to the Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission (GFC) about fish, wildlife, and other conservation issues -- while also monitoring the activities of the state agency. "Ocklawahaman" at that time was applying for career positions with the GFC (I had achieved a 95% test score on the GFC written examination) and it seemed that being a FWF member would possibly be helpful towards fulfilling that goal. So within a short time "Ocklawahaman" became a member of FWF as a result of my talks with the late Jack Stanley. Later in the 1980's "Ocklawahaman" attended a few of the public events in the Palatka or Gainesville areas where FWF was offering information about Florida conservation topics. Tim Keyser, another FWF director, was present also and I was able to meet him briefly. "Ocklawahaman" in the late 1990's was a State of Florida employee in Tallahassee when Governor Lawton Chiles (D) mandated that the Ocklawaha River would be restored to free-flowing again (Silver Springs to the St. Johns River) by the breaching of Rodman Dam -- I was extremely pleased with the Governor's order and believed that it was a done deal, end of story! In 2004 the Ocklawaha River had become my home water once again. Now the middle Ocklawaha River of Marion County (between FL-40 and CR-316) was my usual "cathedral for worship" and "theater of operations" for almost all of my outdoor activities. In 2005 when the restoration still hadn't occurred "Ocklawahaman" decided that it was time to become "Ocklawahaman" and get involved with the process again to ensure that Rodman Dam would indeed be breached and the Silver Springs-Silver River-Ocklawaha River system would be restored to free-flowing-again "Source to the Sea" as soon as possible. Why hadn't the procedure for breaching Rodman Dam in an orderly fashion happened yet? Between 2005 and 2007 "Ocklawahaman" seriously considered joining the Florida Defenders of the Environment (FDE) as a way of working with others towards the restoration of the Ocklawaha River. But I never actually joined FDE. In 2008 "Ocklawahaman" decided that using his own KSA's (knowledge, skills, and abilities) as a non-member of any one particular group was the best way available to work for the breaching of Rodman Dam. I created my first "Ocklawaha River Information Page" online. The Atlantic-race striped bass, migratory channel catfish and Florida manatee that would thrive in a free-and-swift-flowing-again Silver River-Ocklawaha River system needed a well informed advocate with data research and processing experience plus a loud voice. After all, the great majority of the Ocklawaha River's water and corridor lands lie within the county named after General Francis Marion -- maybe a determined "Swamp Fox" jungle-tested-type guerilla fighting "outside the box" was what the restoration of the Ocklawaha would require. "Ocklawahaman" is a member of NO environmental organization but volunteers his Ocklawaha River experience, observations, research, and sources to individuals or groups that shared his zeal for this old "crooked river." Government agencies that "Ocklawahaman" has corresponded with about Ocklawaha topics include: Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, St. Johns River Water Management District, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Geological Survey, and U.S. Marine Fisheries Service. Non-governmental groups that "Ocklawahaman" has communicated and/or worked with on Ocklawaha issues include: FDE, FWF, Marion Audubon, Putnam County Environmental Council (PCEC), Save Our Big Scrub, Save the Manatee Club, and Sierra Club of Florida. 2/14/10: "Ocklawahaman" finally had a lengthy conversation with Timothy Keyser (of FWF and PCEC) at the PCEC "Rally for the Rivers" event that was being held that day near the Rodman Dam Spillway. Captain Erika Ritter and the "Ocklawahaman" had set up an "Ocklawaha Restoration" display table there and as Erika performed multiple pontoon boat trips downstream to Davenport Landing and back for the public, "Ocklawahaman" tried to answer folk's questions and hand out brochures about the Ocklawaha River. Tim was quite interested in my mounted 15-pound striper and the wealth of information that "Ocklawahaman" had assembled about the biology of striped bass. Attorney Tim Keyser wanted to explore the possibility of filing some kind of law suit against the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) for not giving striped bass the opportunity to naturally spawn successfully in the Ocklawaha River -- because it seemed that the FWC was allowing Rodman Dam and Spillway to remain in place. Tim Keyser asked "Ocklawahaman" to please send any useful striped bass documents to him by email. So for a couple of weeks "Ocklawahaman" emailed large amounts of striped-bass-related data to Tim Keyser. And Tim has been sent occasional Ocklawaha River-related informational emails by me ever since including one in April 2016 with the details of and the link to the SJRWMD "Technical Publication SJ2016-1" by John Hendrickson. 7/31/12: "Ocklawahaman" met with Manley Fuller (President of the FWF) in-person while attending a Silver Springs TMDL conference at the McPherson complex in Ocala, Florida. "Ocklawahaman" thought that Manley (and the way he was dressed casually that day) very much resembled current U.S. Senator Bill Nelson. "Ocklawahaman" had worked as the Data Processing Administrator in Tallahassee for State of Florida Treasurer Bill Nelson (before Bill won the U.S. Senate seat) and had seen Bill dressed in casual attire on many occasions. Manley warmly told "Ocklawahaman" that Bill Nelson actually was a close friend of his and that others previously had mentioned their similarities. As far as the Ocklawaha River issues we discussed that day, Manley Fuller requested that "Ocklawahaman" please email him any useful information discovered about striped bass or sturgeon use of the Ocklawaha River. Manley seemingly had been made aware of the archived-data investigation talents of "Ocklawahaman" by others. "Ocklawahaman" then started including Manley Fuller on all email related to my findings of any data pertaining to striped bass or sturgeon use of the Ocklawaha River. Manley also has been sent many Ocklawaha-related emails by "Ocklawahaman" since then including one in April 2016 with the details of and the link to the SJRWMD "Technical Publication SJ2016-1" by John Hendrickson. "Ocklawahaman" would be very pleased to see that Timothy Keyser and Manley Fuller have both signed the "FREE THE OCKLAWAHA RIVER BY THE BREACHING OF RODMAN DAM" online petition. ---------------------------------------- "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 $$$ -- THIS PETITION! When you join with the "Ocklawahaman" to "FREE THE OCKLAWAHA RIVER BY THE BREACHING OF RODMAN DAM" by signing the online petition FOR-FREE $$$ it costs you NO $$$. There are NO lawyers to payroll! Buy a backpack, BBQ dinner, canoe, or kayak with your DOUGH and enjoy the remaining segments of the free-flowing Ocklawaha River and its superbly forested jungle-like corridor. It currently has 2,078 supporters as of 1900 hrs EDT 5/18/17. I am seriously considering CLOSING-OUT the petition to any new supporters after the 1st year anniversary since its creation (June 24, 2017) has been reached. Then "Ocklawahaman" will perform the final delivery of petition signatures and comments to SJRWMD and FL DEP along with contacting SJRWMD to arrange -- if possible -- for a hearing(s) with certain staff and/or management where "Ocklawahaman" would do his best to represent the will of this petition's signatories: who "do hereby respectfully petition the SJRWMD and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FL DEP) to earnestly begin, move forward with, and finally carry out the process of restoring to free-and-swift-flowing-again the Ocklawaha River -- 'Source to the Sea' -- from its Silver Springs supreme headwaters to its St. Johns River estuary. This restoration process would require the breaching of the earthen Kirkpatrick (Rodman) Dam at the location where the historic Ocklawaha River channel flowed through it prior to September 30, 1968." It may be the MOST IMPORTANT THING that YOU can do (or have ever done) to assist SJRWMD and FL DEP to determine that the best interests of the greater St. Johns River basin are enhanced by the restoration of a free-and-swift flowing-again "Source to the Sea" 56-mainstream-mile "Real-Florida-By-God" Silver Springs-Silver River-Ocklawaha River system. Where else can you get "this much bang for the $$$ buck?" "Ocklawahaman" NEEDS YOUR FOR-FREE $$$ HELP! Show your support for the free migration -- St. Johns River to Silver Springs -- of the Florida manatee, channel catfish, and Atlantic-race STRIPED BASS. Note that the native Atlantic-race STRIPED BASS lost its only suitable spawning habitat of the entire St. Johns River basin (and the most southern in the U.S.) when Rodman (Kirkpatrick) Dam was closed across the Ocklawaha River on September 30, 1968. Riverine LARGEMOUTH BASS have been native to the Ocklawaha River for thousands of years -- they don't need Rodman Dam or Rodman Reservoir for their survival! Thank you to all that have already signed this petition FOR-FREE $$$ 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 1900 hrs EDT 5/18/17) there are 2,078 public signatures supporting the breaching of Rodman Dam. What does this number represent? "Ocklawahaman" reckons it means that 2,078 INDIVIDUALS so far have been willing to BOLDLY and PUBLICLY add their name (sort-of like "John Hancock" did in 1776) FOR-FREE $$$ -- following their own sincere whims, wishes, wants, or purposes (whatever) -- to this outdoorsman-single-citizen-created "Declaration of Independence from Rodman Dam" proclamation that is officially known to SJRWMD and FL DEP as the "FREE THE OCKLAWAHA RIVER BY THE BREACHING OF RODMAN DAM" online petition. -------------------------------------------- Read this 7/11/16 email from SJRWMD's contact person to "Ocklawahaman" Paul Nosca: "Paul, So long as everyone is aware that we are housing the petitions, and so long as everyone knows we will not be sending receipts to petitioners, I think we are fine. You will always have an open dialogue available with me, and I may even recommend you come to our board meeting tomorrow to tell our board that you have over 1,000 signatures; which is an impressive feat!" -------------------------------------------- If "Ocklawahaman" meets in the future with staff and/or management of the SJRWMD in Palatka wouldn't it be impressive to have many more than 2,000 such "votes" of individual citizens supporting restoration that "Ocklawahaman" represents? Encourage others and spouses and/or significant others to support this grassroots petition! ONE problem that "FREE THE OCKLAWAHA RIVER BY THE BREACHING OF RODMAN DAM" has now is that an individual person signs it BUT THEIR SPOUSE OR SIGNIFICANT OTHER DOES NOT! So instead of TWO signatures the petition only gets ONE! Remember that in the "Rough and Tumble" of politics, TWO (or THREE) "votes" beats ONE! Both "Ocklawahaman" Paul Nosca and Captain Erika Ritter have signed FOR-FREE $$$ 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 1900 hrs EDT on 5/18/17 the results of this SECRET VOTE online poll are 207 "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 -- fishing and hunting -- 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. In 2017 after the one year anniversary of this petition's creation (6/24/16), "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 1900 hrs EDT 5/18/17) has 2,078 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