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Rivers Coalition
June 2025 Newsletter |
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Thursday, June 26, 2025
11:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. |
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Stuart City Hall Chambers
121 SW Flagler Ave, Stuart, FL |
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| This meeting is in person and via Zoom, and is open to the public, with plenty of free parking available. Email info@riverscoalition.org for Zoom link. |
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ELOC UPDATE AND LEGISLATIVE RECAP
Merritt Matheson, Vice Chair of Environmental Lands Oversight Committee
John Maehl, Martin County Environmental Resource Administrator
Gil Smart, Executive Director of VoteWater
Eve Samples, Executive Director of Friends of the Everglades |
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At this month’s Rivers Coalition meeting, we’ll hear an important update from Merritt Matheson, Vice Chair of the newly formed Environmental Lands Oversight Committee (ELOC), and John Maehl, Martin County Resource Administrator, about the committee’s work to guide conservation land purchases funded by the voter-approved surtax.
Additionally, Friends of the Everglades Executive Director Eve Samples and VoteWater Executive Director Gil Smart will recap key outcomes from Florida’s 2025 legislative session, which wrapped up June 16. We look forward to seeing you there! |
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Business Matters:
- Call to Order and Chairman’s Comments: Eve Samples, Vice President
- Business matters and membership roll call
Presentation:
ELOC UPDATE AND LEGISLATIVE RECAP
Merritt Matheson, ELOC Vice Chair
John Maehl, Martin County Environmental Resource Administrator
Gil Smart, Executive Director of VoteWater
Eve Samples, Executive Director of Friends of the Everglades
Government & Agency Progress Reports:
- Martin County: John Maehl
- City of Stuart: Ben Hogarth
- South Florida Water Management District: Drew Bartlett (invited)
- State and Federal Agencies: USACE: Maj. Bell
- Lake Okeechobee Update: Dr. Paul Gray
- State and Federal Legislation: Gil Smart
Coalition Reports:
- Rivers Coalition Committee Updates:
- River Kidz: Kelli Doré
- Speakers Bureau: Todd Weissing
- Local Issues & Estuary Water Quality: Todd Thurlow
- Seagrass Update: Todd Thurlow
- Riverkeeper Update: Merritt Matheson
- Member Comments and Announcements
- Adjourn
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ELOC Inaugural Meeting on June 25
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| The Environmental Lands Oversight Committee (ELOC), established to oversee land purchases funded by the Martin County surtax, will hold its first meeting on Wednesday, June 25, at 5 pm in the Martin County Commission Chambers located at 2401 SE Monterey Rd., Stuart, FL 34996. The meeting is open to the public and will be televised on MCTV Channel 20. All Martin County residents are encouraged to attend and stay engaged in this important conservation initiative. |
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Treasure Coast Waterway Cleanup
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The 18th Annual Treasure Coast Waterway Cleanup is on Saturday, July 26.
The are gearing up to clean 125 miles of waterways across Martin, St. Lucie, and Indian River counties—and we need your help! Since 2008, this incredible community effort has mobilized 15,523 volunteers and more than 3,350 vessels to remove nearly 105 tons of trash from our treasured waters.
This all-ages event is a great opportunity for students, service clubs, yacht clubs, or anyone who wants to be part of the solution to pollution. Please consider sponsoring or volunteering to support this important effort.
For more information, visit: TC Waterway Cleanup
The Indian Riverkeeper is sponsoring a trash dropoff location at the Jensen Beach Causeway and will hand out refreshments. |
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SOLD OUT...we are at race capacity!
This year's 9th Annual Toxic Trail 37 Mile Ultra will be taking place in the heat of summer on June 28th, 2025. This challenging 37-mile road race, composed of solo and six-person relay teams, highlights environmental awareness, focusing on the toxic water discharge from Lake Okeechobee into the St. Lucie River and the Indian River Lagoon.
River Kidz Zoë and Asher Glover have been active participants ever since the Lost Summer of 2016. They have been there every year encouraging, handing out water, and cheering runners across the finish line. A portion of the proceeds is donated to the River Kidz.
Pictures of last year's Toxic Trail Run below: |
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Rescue the River of Grass
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Sign Now to Join the Movement!
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The Everglades is one of the most critical ecosystems in the world, providing unique habitat for wildlife, protecting the water supply for millions of Floridians and safeguarding our coastal communities and economies. However, this precious resource remains imperiled due to a lack of water storage and treatment. More land is needed to store and clean water from Lake Okeechobee so it can flow into the Everglades and prevent harmful discharges to the northern estuaries.
To address this urgent issue, Friends of the Everglades has launched a campaign aimed at public acquisition of land in the Everglades Agricultural Area (EAA) for environmental restoration.
With your support, we can take meaningful action to restore the Everglades and protect Florida’s environment for future generations. |
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Important RC Member Announcement
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Renew Your Rivers Coalition Membership Today!
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| A REMINDER THAT ALL Associate Members of the Rivers Coalition must renew their membership annually. We kindly remind each member organization to designate a spokesperson to serve as a delegate for communication on your behalf. To update your membership, please email miki@riverscoalition.org with the name and contact information of your appointed representative. Thank you for your ongoing participation and support of our mission. We also encourage you to invite other like-minded organizations that share our goals to join the Rivers Coalition and strengthen our collective efforts. |
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Rivers Coalition Meeting Minutes
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April 24, 2025 Summary of Comments
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Mark Perry called the meeting to order at 11:02 am. There were 39 attendees in person, 16 attendees on ZOOM call.
Minutes taken by Miki Blumenthal, Administrative Assistant.
Business Matters:
Member roll call was taken. Mark Perry welcomed new Rivers Coalition member Everglades Foundation and their representative, Bradley Watson.
Bradley gave a brief introduction and mentioned that the Everglades Foundation is hosting America’s Everglades Summit in June in Washington, DC.
Mark thanked the Kahlert Foundation for their recent large donation. He also briefly mentioned recent changes to the SFWMD board and staff.
Presentation: Florida Legislative Update
Gil Smart, Executive Director of VoteWater, and Eve Samples, Executive Director of Friends of the Everglades, gave an update on Florida legislation that could affect our estuaries and environment.
An extended Q&A session followed their presentation. The above presentations in its entirety can be seen at www.riverscoalition.org.
Government & Agency Reports:
Martin County: John Maehl discussed recent increase in filamentous algae in our estuaries and its effect.
City of Stuart: Ben Hogarth talked about the outlook of the water quality since the Lake O discharges stopped. He also discussed growth-management and land-development bills and their effect on local government, as well as challenges local governments now face getting funding.
City Commissioner Chris Collins gave an update on the hiring of an environmental attorney. Vote will be on May 12th. He also stated the City Commission wrote a letter in support of Maj. Bell’s request for an extension of his position with the USACE.
SFWMD: In the absence of a SFWMD representative, Mark Perry discussed the recent changes and additions to the SFWMD Board of Directors. He also talked about the Southland rock mine project, stating Palm Beach County will address it at their meeting on May 22nd.
USACE: Maj. Bell gave updates on the Indian River Lagoon South project, the EAA Reservoir projects, and the lake levels. The USACE’s assessment of the lake recovery operations will most likely be in the fall.
Lake O Update: In Paul Gray’s absence, Mark Perry gave an update on the lake level and discharges. Level is currently 11.62 feet. No discharges to the east and minimal discharges to the west.
State and Federal Legislation: Eve Samples discussed the upcoming Farm Bill and urged the members to contact their representatives to ensure the sugar industry does not get protection from the Farm Bill.
Coalition Reports:
River Kidz: Not present.
Speakers Bureau: Todd Weissing reminded the members that speakers can be requested at riverscoalition.org.
Water Quality Report: Mark Perry discussed the filamentous algae. He mentioned that the University of Florida IFAS Extension is encouraging the general public to observe and submit photos of algae during the month of May. Rivers Coalition will post the QR code on their website.
Seagrass Update: Todd Thurlow also talked about the algae. Discussion ensued about how to clean up the filamentous algae. The best way is to reduce the influx of nutrients.
Riverkeeper Update: Jim Moir stated that seagrass in the lagoon continues to steadily recover. Although looking better, there is still sediment that is stirred up by boating activity. He also gave an update on manatees, green sea turtles, and right whales.
Member Comments and Announcements:
Nick Linehan, Stormwater Program Coordinator for St. Lucie County, introduced himself and is looking forward to giving updates at future Rivers Coalition meetings.
A member announced that there will be a recognition program for those involved in getting Martin County Forever off the ground. It will be from 10-2 at Jonathan Dickinson State Park.
On a related note, Mark Perry stated that Merritt Matheson, board member of Martin County Forever, will keep us updated on the progress of the land acquisition.
The meeting was adjourned at 12:32 p.m. |
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- June 26, 2025 - Thursday
- July 24, 2025 - Thursday
- August 2024 - no meeting
- September 25, Thursday
- October 23, Thursday
- November 20, Thursday
- December 2025 - no meeting
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All Meetings are at 11:00 a.m.
Stuart City Hall Chambers
121 SW Flagler Ave, Stuart, FL |
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- Mark Perry, President
- Eve Samples, Vice President
- Jim Moir, Secretary
- Darrell Brand, Treasurer
- Charles Grande, Director
- Todd Thurlow, Director
- Todd Weissing, Director
- Gil Smart, Director
- Merritt Matheson, Director
- Casey Kniffin, Director
- Ed Killer, Director
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PO Box 2627
Stuart, FL 34995
772-225-6849 |
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Rivers Coalition Organizational Members
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| 1000 Friends of Florida, 27-80 Paddlers, American Association of University Women, Admiralty Yacht Club, Arthur R. Marshall Foundation, Atlantic Point Yacht Club & Marina of Stuart, Audubon Florida, Audubon of Martin County, Ballantrae Anglers Club, Ballantrae Yacht Club, Beau Rivage HOA, Business Development Board of Martin County, Citizens for Clean Water, Computer Network Services, Conservation Alliance of St. Lucie Co. Inc, Cypress Lake HOA, Dolphin Ecology Project, Driftwood Motel of Jensen Beach. Economic Council of Martin County, Farm Vets, Everglades Foundation, Florida Oceanographic Society, Florida Sportsman, Florida Wildlife Federation, Fort Pierce Yacht Club, Four Rivers Property Association, Four Winds Condo Association, Friends of The Everglades, Friends of Harbor Branch - FAU, Guardians of Martin County, Harborage Yacht Condominiums, Harbour Ridge Yacht Club, Hutchinson Island Preservation Initiative, Humanists of the Treasure Coast, Indian Riverkeeper, Indian River Plantation POA, Jensen Beach Chamber of Commerce, Joe's Point HOA, Keep Martin Beautiful, Lake Okeechobee Restoration Initiative, Lake Worth Waterkeeper, Leadership Martin, League of Women Voters of Martin Co., League of Women’s Voters of SLC Co., Lighthouse Point Association Inc., Locks Landing HOA, Marine Cleanup Initiative Inc., Marine Industries Assoc. of Treasure Coast, Marine Resources Council, Martin County Anglers, Martin County Chapter of the Florida Native Plant Society, Martin County Conservation Alliance, Martin County Democratic Environmental Caucus, Martin County Farm Bureau, Martin County Future Group, Martin County Hotel & Motel Association,Miramar POA, Nettles Island Community Action Assoc., North River Shores Prop. Assoc., Ocean Research and Conservation Association, Palm City Civic Assn, Palm Cove Yacht Club, Palm Cove HOA, Pierpoint Condominium Assoc., Port Salerno Commercial Fishing Dock Assoc., Port Sewall Harbor & Tennis Club Owners Ass, Port Sewall Property Owners Assoc., Port St Lucie Anglers, President’s Council of Hutchinson Island, Realtor Association of Martin County, Rio Civic Club, River Club Dock Owners Association Inc., River Kidz, River Vista HOA, River Warriors, Royal Harbor Homeowners Assn, Sandhill Cove Retirement Living, Sailfish Point POA, Sailfish Point Yacht Club, Savanna Fishing Club, Save the Manatee Club, Seagate Harbor Homeowners Assoc., Sierra Club-:Loxahatchee Group, Snug Harbor Yacht Club, St. Lucie Audubon Society, St. Lucie River Yacht Club, St. Lucie Sailing Club, St. Lucie Settlement Inc., Stuart Corinthian Yacht Club, Stuart Heritage, Stuart Rod & Reel Club, Stuart/Martin County Chamber, Surfrider Foundation, Teamsters Local 769, The Garden Club of Stuart Inc, The Estuary at North River Shores, The Junior League of Martin County, Treasure Coast Buddhist Cooperative, Treasure Coast Builders Association, Treasure Coast Golf Course Superintendents Association, Treasure Coast Rowing Club, Treasure Coast Unitarian Universalist Church, US Sailing Center of Martin County, Venture Three Community, VoteWater, Windjammer Condo Association |
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