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D.C. HERITAGE RIVER DESIGNATION - ST. JOHNS RIVER (TABLED FROM NOVEMBER 18, 1997 MEETING) The Board reviewed a Press -Journal clipping as follows: Jacksonville Takes lead On Heritag a River Designation g By MATT ORIMISON Press Journal Stan 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 hoard still is scheduled to take up the question of whether to support the bid to include the river in the American heritage River program nett 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- Sosal 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- 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. Commissioner Adams advised that she had received memorandum from Commissioner Ginn regarding this Heritage River matter. She stated that the Board does not have to support this matter but it would give the County an opportunity to take advantage of well over 20 million dollars in federal funds. She felt that Indian River County's portion of the river is in good shape but there are other sections which do need attention. If the Board has reservations about supporting the effort, she did not want to put them in that situation but believed that it is important to participate and be able to help guide the program. Chairman Eggert expressed her concern over having requested more information which has not yet been received and felt she would like to know more about the project before committing to support it. Commissioner Ginn believed this would lead to more federal control. She believed this is part of a "land grab" as has recently been accomplished in Utah and stated she would support a resolution in opposition to the project. She felt the County does not want or need any federal intervention and noted that one Florida legislator was so upset by the plan that he went to court to seek an injunction. She was totally opposed to any Florida land coming under this designation. Commissioner Adams emphatically opposed any opposition to the program, while Commissioner Ginn was emphatically opposed to this program which is not community - driven and concerns a state's right issue. After further discussion, Chairman Eggert announced that the CONSENSUS is to do nothing for the moment and carefully watch what is going on. Commissioner Ginn agreed to obtain further information and report back to the Board. NOVEMBER 25, 1997 -31- Boa 103 wA43