Tag Archives: Rodman Dam

U.S. Forest Service may be sued over Kirkpatrick Dam

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Aired on WUFT on February 22nd, 2012

Three well-known environmental groups have announced plans to sue the U.S. Forest Service if the agency doesn’t move forward with removing the 44 year old Kirkpatrick Dam.  Earth Justice, Florida Wildlife Federation and the Florida Defenders of the Environment representatives filed the intention to sue documents in Tallahassee yesterday.  The Kirkpatrick Dam (formerly the Rodman Dam) was constructed as part of the now de-authorized Cross Florida Barge Canal Project.  The dam impounds nine-thousand acres of floodplain forest and now holds a popular fishing spot called the Rodman Reservoir.  Florida’s 89.1, WUFT-FM’s Donna Green-Townsend talked with representatives of all sides of this issue including the President of the Board of Florida Defenders of the Environment, Steve Robitaille and the Executive Director of the organization, Erin Condon:

Florida Defenders of the Environment Board President, Steve Robitaille and Executive Director Erin Condon.  Meanwhile the U.S. Forest Service says it supports at least partial removal of the Kirkpatrick Dam.  Spokesperson Denise Rains told Donna Green-Townsend the agency won’t comment on the possible lawsuit, but does want to move forward with restoration efforts of the Ocklawaha River:

The people who say they would be most affected by partial removal of the Kirkpatrick Dam are the owners of various fishing businesses.  Stacy Weeks runs the Buck-N-Bass Sports Center & Outfitters in Salt Springs.  He wants the dam to stay just the way it is:

Another outspoken bait and tackle shop owner is Bumpy Needham of Fish Tales in Ocala.  He too says removal of the Kirkpatrick Dam is not the right direction to go:

No matter when restoration could begin, no one knows exactly where the funds for the effort will come from.

Remembering Marjorie Carr

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Originally aired on WUFT on October 17, 1997

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Aerial view of the Cross Florida Barge Canal on Florida’s Gulf Coast.

(original script) Funeral services were held on Thursday for environmentalist Marjorie Carr.  Carr died October 10th at the age of 82 after a long battle with emphysema.  Carr is the Gainesville conservationist who initiated a successful campaign in the 1960s to kill the Cross Florida Barge Canal.  She was laid to rest on Thursday in Evergreen Cemetery in Gainesville next to her husband Archie Carr, the renowned sea turtle researcher who died in 1987.  Family members planned the service around the theme she most embraced- natural Florida.  She was buried in a natural wood casket and her service included readings from the boo of Genesis about the wonders of Eden and the prayer of St. Francis of Assisi, who, like Marjorie Carr, loved nature.  But it was the bumper sticker placed in the back window of the hearse at the church which best characterized how Marjorie Carr spent her last years.  It read, “Free The Ocklawaha River.”  Most of the friends who attended the service vowed to continue her fight.  Donna Green-Townsend reports.