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Jacksonville Takes lead On Heritage River Designation By MATT aRIMISON Press Journal Staff Writer A dilemma regional water man- agers have grappled with in seek- ing federal recognition for the St. Johns River may have disappeared Thursday when Jacksonville city officials decided to champion the push. The St. Johns River Water Management District governing board still is scheduled to take up the question of whether to support the bid to include the river in the American Heritage River program next week. But the city now will be the lead agency on the designation, a position the district was set to take before vocal protests at public meetings delayed the decision. "I would imagine (Jackson- ville) Mayor (John) Delaney's pro- posal will be discussed Tuesday," district spokesman Jeff Cole said. "They can choose one of several things. One certainly could be to defer to Jacksonville, they could .decided to nominate it themselves or do nothing." The designation is part of an initiative President Clinton pro- I BOOK 103 PAGE �J posed during' his State of the Union address this year, where 10 rivers in the country will be singled out based on environmental and cultural significance. Rivers singled• out in the pro- gram would be eligible for federal money for river -related programs, streamlined federal permitting and access to national experts. Supporters of the program said it would lead to the protection and restoration of the St. Johns River. But detractors said they feared a designation would mean more federal regulations near the river. Jacksonville sits at the mouth of the river, where it empties into the Atlantic Ocean in a busy port and commercial area. The 310 -mile river's headwaters are marshes in western Indian River and Brevard counties. It is one of the few major rivers in the world that flow south to north. A designation would help pre- serve the river's heritage, and make it easier to maintain and protect the waterway, Delaney said. The application is due in Washington on Dec. 10, and Clin- ton is scheduled to announce the winners early next year. There was a brief discussion during which Commissioners expressed their concerns about this especially the lack of information on the matter. There was CONSENSUS to table the matter for one week for more information. 13.E. COMMENT ON COMMUNITY CHILD CARE RESOURCES This item was deferred. 62 NOVEMBER 18, 1997 � � i