Weavers challenge Jacksonville to help the St. Johns River

Jaguars Owner Wayne Weaver looks on as Jacksonville Mayor John Peyton talks about the importance of protecting the St. Johns River Thursday. Prior to the Mayor’s speech, Delores Weaver announced that the Weavers have awarded a challenge grant of up to $150,000 to the St. Johns Riverkeeper. The Weavers will contribute $1 for every $2 raised for the Riverkeeper’s St. Johns River Awareness and Legal Fund.

“Wayne and I are deeply concerned about the plans to withdraw millions of gallons of water from the St. Johns River and the potential harm that this could cause our river,” said Delores Weaver. “We absolutely love the river and recognize how important it is to Jacksonville’s economy and quality of life. We cannot just stand on the sidelines and allow Central Florida to gamble with its future.”

Seminole County, south of Duval County, is the first entity to submit a permit under the Alternative Water Supply program to withdraw surface water from the St. Johns River. The Yankee Lake project could withdraw an average of 5.5 million gallons per day, but could exceed 11 million gallons per day during periods of high demand.

photo by Joe Wilhelm Jr.