The Apalachicola
Bay & River Keeper (ABARK), headquartered in Franklin County's Eastpoint,
is a grass-roots environmental advocacy organization, incorporated in
1999 by local citizens to protect the biodiversity and water quality
of the Apalachicola River, Bay and watershed. ABARK has partnered with
other organizations for river-stewards, such as the Chipola Economic
and Environmental Cooperative (CREEC) for the upper reaches, and the
"Save the River" organization for river stewardship in the
middle reaches around Wewahitchka.
The Keeper
Organization, a member of the International Water Keeper Alliance advocates
for and secures the protection and stewardship of the Apalachicola River
and Bay, its tributaries and watershed, in order to improve and maintain
its environment integrity and to preserve the natural, scenic, recreational
and commercial fishing character. David McLain, Executive Director of
ABARK, explains that this group is committed to addressing environmental
and growth issues along all 109 river miles of the watershed and in
the estuary of Apalachicola Bay. "Through our partnership with
1000 Friends, we are working to better educate the public and local
leaders on the environmental and economic importance of this vital watershed
and the many related pressures it now faces." Educational activities
include a series of videos, presentations to county commissions, and
workshops with community leaders.
While the
Apalachicola River and Bay are one of the most productive estuarine
systems in the nation, American Rivers named the Apalachicola River
as one of 2002's eleven most endangered in the nation. Threats include
industrial development, reduced fresh water flows due to water re-allocation
to support upstream growth, destructive dredging, loss of wetland habitat,
septic tank pollution and overtaken waste treatment infrastructure from
rapid coastal residential and commercial development.
ABARK recently
developed a set of evaluation criteria, endorsed by the commissions
of each of the six Panhandle counties in the watershed, for shaping
Florida's position on the Tri-State Apalachicola-Chattahoochee-Flint
Water Allocation Formula.
According
to 1000 Friends' Pattison, "With its pristine natural beauty and
charm, the Apalachicola is a magnet for development." He continues,
"We need to make sure that new development respects the Apalachicola's
special environmental needs and is compatible with the region's sustainable
fisheries industry."
More information
on ABARK can be found at www.apalachicola.com/riverkeeper
(after October 1st go to www.abark.org).
ABARK
Panhandle Initiative Partnering Activities
ABARK is
one of three partnering groups working with 1000 Friends of Florida
in helping to better plan and initiate actions to protect the region's
biodiversity, watershed resources and cultural heritage. In July 2002
the first installment of a small grant was awarded to ABARK.
ABARK has
used that portion of their funds to develop and implement on selected
area TV stations a Public Service Announcements (PSA) centered on water
as a "taken-for-granted resource" and the potential interruption
or loss of the resource if we continure to develop and draw upon it
without care. The PSA is entitled, "WATER
IS GOLDEN" Click to view the video!
The message
being communicated is Water is an essential component of life as we
live it today - good quality, plentiful water - can no longer be
taken for granted; our continued access must be protected. The initial
audience will be the citizens of the Panhandle of Florida and their
elected officials.
