Friends of Lake Jesup

Chairman King reported that Parkstone homeowner association is taking over and that there were representitives from there, Clifton Springs and St Johns Landing.

Meeting called to order at 7:15 PM.

The Friends went through introductions of new and old attendees.

Minutes changed and approved. Pete's name spelling was corrected to Henn

Chairman King stated the Friends requested Winter Springs not plat the lots in Parkstone all the way to the lake but they chose to do so. Now there is a boat dock at many shoreward houses. Parkstone proceeded to plat the lots through the set aside conservation area. This end of the lake needs the most help because it is farthest from river receives the most pollution and does not have a very strong support system.

Bill Daniel reported that the prevailing winds and other conditions on the east side of the lake is one source of the problems on the east side.

Ed Hayes reported that as of now there is no presentation planned for the jet spray proposal. When the governor vetoed the funding he ended state participation in the dredging. According to Florida Law state agencies can no longer participate in the project. Ed can still attend to meetings, give technical support, and do things requested of him by the Friends but he cannot work on moving this project forward independently. He can attend muck disposal site meetings but he cannot initiate them. No update was made on the muck disposal site because of the new legislation.

Chairman King reported there are still ongoing negotiations regarding 600 acres of agriculture property. They are still shopping the property and are not ready to a price tag on it yet. There is a private funding source that is willing to buy it if they put a price tag on it. The property owner has not contacted Robert in a week.

Chairman King stated that not a lot progress has been on Sanford site 10 since the last meeting. They meet with Sanford; DEP, Seminole County reclaimed water people, and Avery from Constantine's office also attended the meeting. The conclusion was that DEP and Seminole County can find a way to rearrange Sanford's reclaimed water system to make Site 10 available. Sanford was provided with plenty of alternatives so that none of the water goes into the river. Sanford still won't put a price on the table. Right now we are waiting on hearing Seminole County Reclaimed Waters' plan to handle the reclaimed water before going back to Sanford to get a price. If Sanford refuses to give a price then the Friends will take it to a higher level. Robert will know something by next week.

There has been a bunch of people contacting the Friends. One uses enzyme to clean the lake. This guy is able to answer question the previous proposers of this project could not .Right now he is working with Mike Hulen on demonstration a 5 acre lake in Eustis. The lake has 6 feet of muck on the bottom. This guy is going to perform a demonstration project to clean the lake. The startup is on the 28th. The machine he will put in the lake will raise the DO in the water. After the machine has been on for two weeks they will introduce natural bacteria. The expectation is after 4 weeks there will be no muck left in the lake. The only cost is for the technology and observation of the machine. There is no removal or disposal. He has done this in small ponds across the US. He was able to clean out small ponds in 7 days.

Mark Clifford volunteered to follow the project. He will go to the demonstration project on the 28th.

By products of the activity is water and carbon dioxide. There is no residue. The bacterium eat the nutrient. The only problem is the amount of carbon dioxide release; would that amount be permitted.

Another guy approached Robert King and told him that he has friend in the business using is “sock” technology. It is a long continuous tube of cloth that rejects the water. They hook the cloth to the dredger as the tube becomes full of solids it rejects the water and fill up with solids. The runoff water will still have to be treated before returning to lake. Some people say it does not work as well as it should because of the type of mud coming out of the lake. Robert will contact the guy later to get more information.

Chairman King reported that Chuck Veerland has been in out work. They say he looking better and he is going to continue to try to work.

Chairman King stated there was report from the SJRWMD this month. The TMDL meeting went very well this week. The letter regarding the water quality for the lake standard as the river up and down stream was not well received because they thought we meant annual average to be the same, but the letter stated that we wanted a daily average to be the same. Once understood then they became unsure of there ability actually meet that goal. For TMDL's you can research and find a target quality which could take years, you could arbitrarily assign a target quality, or you can logically decide an accepted target quality. Right now they are in the process of plottling and planning. The next meeting they will decide whether to accept the recommended water quality target or they will continue research it. Next meeting Chairman King will have more information.

Cheryl reported that the Corp report was just delayed not stopped.

Barbara Bess reported SP378 $53,000. Another concern is SP441 that has been around since 1997.It initially started with $825,000 but grew to $1.22 million. This contract expires April 30, 2005. Bess is lacking a lot details and is not clear where all the money is going. Regina was not available to provide more details tonight. Ed Hayes stated that there was about $4.5 million left in Lake Jesup restoration fund and that money will be returned to the legislature. Ed burned dredging study on CD.

Dean Clemmons question whether or not Parkstone and St Johns Landing have voting representatives. He also mentioned issues surrounding Bear Lake. He volunteered to represent the Winter Springs section of Lake Jesup around Parkstone and St. Johns landing.

Environmental Study Center had its grand opening on Tuesday. Preliminary display board has been put up. Suggestions for the display are wanted but there is limited space.

Meeting Adjourned at 8:55 pm.