Staff Writer
Former Gov. Bob Martinez has been added to the list of experts who will speak at the third St. Johns River Summit this week.
Martinez, who is familiar with the impacts on the 310-mile river, will be Wednesday’s keynote speaker.
Experts and community leaders representing the 13 counties along the banks of the St. Johns River will gather at Jacksonville’s Osborn Center Wednesday and Thursday.
The host, the St. Johns River Alliance, reported Friday that 250 participants have registered. Those still needing to register can visit www.stjohnsriversummit.com.
The goal was to hold a summit every five years, with the last taking place in 2003, but recent events changed the timeline.
“It’s a good time to hold the summit due to all the issues that have been going on with the river recently, algae blooms, fish kill,” said Andrea Goldman, program manager for the St. Johns River Alliance. “Its really important to bring all the areas of the river together to discuss the problems of the river.”
The two days will be filled with speakers and panel discussions to break down the problems the river is experiencing and to consider what is best for the future of the American Heritage River.
“It’s an exciting continuation of dialogue about the St. Johns River and the need for water,” said Quinton White, executive director of Jacksonville University’s Marine Science Research Institute, which will open its new facility Sept. 24.
“Our timing for the facility could not be better with all that has gone on with the river this year. It is well positioned to assist with research of the river in the future,” said White.
White will take part on the panel to discuss “Challenges: Reconciling Water Supply Issues.”
Other local leaders involved with the summit include State Sen. John Thrasher; Mayor John Peyton; JEA CEO and Managing Director Jim Dickenson; University of North Florida President John Delaney; White at JU; Ebenezer Gujjarlapudi, director of environmental and compliance for the City of Jacksonville; and attorney Brenna Durden of Lewis, Longman & Walker.
Martinez is a senior policy adviser at Holland & Knight.
JEA signed on as the title sponsor for the event and understands the importance of the river for the future of Jacksonville.
“JEA is committed to water quality and is pleased to be a sponsor for the 2010 River Summit. We view it as an important venue to discuss water policy and the need for state and federal funding,” said Dickenson.
“As a result of our investment of more than $400 million over 10 years to manage the nutrient loads to the river, we are now removing over 85 percent of the nitrogen from the wastewater generated by our community. And we now have a reuse system with the capacity to recycle one third of our customers’ wastewater.”
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