Rivers Coalition
August 2026 Newsletter |
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Thursday, September 24, 2026
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 contact@riverscoalition.org for Zoom link. |
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Rivers Coalition Meeting July 2026
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The Summer of Slime: 10 Years Later
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Todd Thurlow, local attorney and Rivers Coalition Board Member, took a compelling look back at the devastating 2016 algae crisis and compared those conditions with where we stand today. He explored how public outrage and community advocacy helped push agencies toward change, what has improved over the past decade—and what hasn't. His presentation was also a reminder that the work is far from finished, particularly the need to send more water south and protect the St. Lucie Estuary from damaging discharges.
Photos Courtesy of Jacqui Thurlow-Lippisch |
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| Mark Perry, Bob Wolfort, Cindy Christopher |
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| Todd Thurlow and Mark Perry |
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Tiffany Kincaid and Amanda Barry
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| Mitchell Latzman, Jason Bultman, Hannah Angelo-Walker |
| Todd Thurlow and Jacqui Thurlow-Lippisch |
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Cleaner Shores, Healthier Waters
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Protecting the Places We Love
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On Saturday, September 19, join Keep Martin Beautiful for the 31st annual International Coastal Cleanup, part of a worldwide effort to remove litter and marine debris from beaches, waterways and coastal areas.
Here in Martin County, volunteers will fan out across local beaches, shorelines and waterways to collect trash before it can harm wildlife or make its way into our ocean. Whether you come with family, friends or coworkers—or participate on your own—a few hours can make a real difference for the places we all love.
Preregistration is required, so be sure to reserve your spot.
→ Learn more and register to volunteer |
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Your Voice Can Make a Difference!
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Calling all River Kidz in grades 7–12! Want to learn more about the Indian River Lagoon—and have a say in its future? Join other students at the 2026 Youth Action Assembly on Saturday, September 12, at the Environmental Learning Center in Vero Beach.
Spend the day meeting other young people who care about our waterways, learning from local experts, sharing your ideas, and discovering ways you can help make a difference.
Bring your curiosity, your ideas, and your voice!
Learn more and register for the Youth Action Assembly. |
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We Want to Hear From Our Members
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Rivers Coalition Meeting Minutes
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July 23, 2026 Summary of Comments
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Mark Perry called the meeting to order at 11:00 am. There were 52 attendees in person, 19 attendees on ZOOM call.
Minutes taken by Miki Blumenthal, Administrative Assistant.
Business Matters:
Member roll call was taken. Mark Perry welcomed new member Hell Gate Sea Dragons (and its representatives Cindy Christopher and Bob Wolfort), a local dragon boat club that trains on the St. Lucie, Loxahatchee, and Indian River and incorporates conservation and cleanup into its activities.
Presentation: The Summer of Slime: 10 Years Later - The Data Behind the Discharges
Todd Thurlow, local attorney and Rivers Coalition Board Member, gave a presentation comparing 2016 discharge conditions with current 2026 conditions. He reviewed the history of the 2016 algae event, the public pressure that helped change agency responses, and the work still needed to move more water south and protect the estuary.
An extended Q&A session followed the presentation. The above presentation in its entirety can be seen at www.riverscoalition.org.
Government & Agency Reports:
City of Stuart: Ruth Holmes spoke about the importance of water storage and the need to retain water rather than dispose of it. She also stated that the city is continuing discussions on muck removal and will sign onto a letter urging EPA review of Florida’s refusal to adopt cyanotoxin water quality standards.
Martin County: Amy Eason reported that Martin County passed its FY2027 budget at a flat mill rate so far, with additional public hearings to come in September. She also noted a July 26 proclamation for the International Day for the Conservation of Mangrove Ecosystems and shared updates on two land purchases through the Martin County Forever sales tax program.
SFWMD: Sherry McCorkle announced the next district meeting on August 13 and highlighted a recent restoration partnership event in Miami.
Lake O Update: Paul Gray stated Lake Okeechobee is very low, but the rainy season should help conditions improve. He also noted that algae is present on the lake, though it is not being discharged east.
USACE: Maj. Cory Bell (via Zoom) and Jeff Prater reported that Lake Okeechobee remains low, the C44 facility is collecting local basin runoff, and no algae is being discharged east. They also shared updates on the C23/24 stormwater treatment areas, the North Reservoir pump station, and C44 seepage management.
State and Federal Legislation: Gil Smart stated the proposed property tax amendment could significantly affect environmental and local government funding. He also reported that WRDA 2026 is moving through Congress, with efforts to require an after-action report on recovery operations and clarify the purpose of the EAA reservoir in federal law.
Coalition Reports:
River Kidz: Casey Kniffin shared that River Kidz are participating in summer activities and announced a student documentary screening, Sea Change: The Future of Our Ocean, on July 30 at the Elliott Museum. She also encouraged involvement in the upcoming International Coastal Cleanup in September.
Speakers Bureau: Ed Killer emphasized the importance of youth advocacy and said Rivers Coalition remains available to speak with local groups about water issues.
Riverkeeper Update: Jim Moir said seagrass is looking good locally, though nutrient pollution, algae, heat stress, and low oxygen remain concerns in parts of the lagoon. He also mentioned the upcoming Right Whale documentary film screening on August 29 at the Marriott Hutchinson Island hosted by Florida Oceanographic Society|The Right Whale: Tales of Resilience & Hope.
Water Quality Report: Mark Perry said water quality is currently looking good due to low rainfall and the absence of lake discharges, though local algae and Lyngbya remain concerns. He also noted signs of seagrass recovery on the flats.
Seagrass Update: Todd Thurlow referenced recent monitoring and recovery trends linked to reduced discharges and current dry conditions. See his website, eyeonlakeo.com, for detailed charts and maps.
Member Comments and Announcements:
Keep Martin Beautiful’s Tiffany Kincaid and Amanda Barry announced the International Coastal Cleanup on September 19.
Mark Perry noted there will be no Rivers Coalition public meeting in August. The next meeting will be September 24, during National Estuaries Week.
Joe Gilio mentioned the risk of blue-green algae as nutrient ratios in Lake Okeechobee continue to change.
Jacqui Thurlow-Lippisch thanked Martin County and the City of Stuart for their “Speak up for the St. Lucie” program.
The meeting was adjourned at 12:32 p.m. |
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- August 2026 - no meeting
- September 24, 2026 - Thursday
- October 22, 2026 - Thursday
- November 19, 2026 - Thursday
- December 2026 - 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
- Gil Smart, Director
- Merritt Matheson, Director
- Casey Kniffin, Director
- Ed Killer, Director
- Greg Braun, 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, Admiralty Yacht Club, American Association of University Women, 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, Captains for Clean Water, 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, Hell Gate Sea Dragons, 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, Martin Oyster Restoration Initiative, 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, Stuart Yacht Club, 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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