Your August Apalachicola River News from the Apalachicola Riverkeeper

Join us at the annual International Coastal Clean Up in Franklin County! Site meet up details coming soon.

Public Meeting on August 12: The USACE Seeks to Return to Dredging on the Apalachicola River   The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Mobile District is evaluating the impacts of reinstating dredging on the Apalachicola River.  A public meeting will be held virtually on August 12, 2025, 6:00 PM EST.     From the early 1960’s through the early 2000’s, the USACE attempted to maintain a 100-foot wide by nine-foot-deep channel for commercial barge traffic for 90 percent of the year.  After more than 40 years, the channel was determined to be economically infeasible and environmentally unsustainable and unacceptable.  The Corps’ authorization was denied by the State of Florida in 2005. USACE Dredging and Meeting Details Clearwater Files Appeal and Mediation Request   Apalachicola Riverkeeper secured the first legal win of its kind in Florida against oil and gas drilling when we successfully challenged Clearwater Land and Minerals' permit application. The oil drilling permit denial was a groundbreaking decision by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) in June 2025. It came after an administrative law judge sided with Apalachicola Riverkeeper (in April), acknowledging the proposed oil well's economic infeasibility and significant threat to our sensitive lands.  (The hearing took place in December 2024). In the past few weeks, Clearwater LM filed an appeal and then a request for mediation* in an effort to overturn the DEP decision of permit denial. DEP denied the mediation request and the case remain in appellate court. Legal Update on Clearwater Case

Remembering a River Hero   Dave McLain was a man who deeply loved the Apalachicola River and Bay. Dave’s booming baritone voice spoke up loudly for the Apalachicola River and Bay on numerous occasions during his tenure as a board member, Riverkeeper, and Executive Director.  Dave remained a strong supporter of Apalachicola Riverkeeper long after his retirement.  Honoring Dave McLain

ANERR Funding at Risk   The Apalachicola National Estuarine Research Reserve supports community resilience by monitoring the health of the bay, protecting valuable species and habitats that draw hundreds of thousands of visitors every year. The ANEER is educating local students and teachers about the unique world they live in, and soliciting world-renowned scientists to better understand the future of our fragile ecosystem. With this unprecedented loss of funding, the Reserve’s Nature Center may have to close its doors and research and educational programming will be drastically reduced. T More on ANERR Staying Cool at Merritts Mill Pond   What better way to spend a hot July day than relaxing in 68-degree spring water! Because of the risk of afternoon thunderstorms, we shifted our July Chipola River kayaking trip to Merritt’s Mill Pond near Marianna and received no complaints. The pond features several clear springs, including the only first magnitude spring in the Apalachicola Basin—Jackson Blue. The spring pumps out about 76 million cool gallons a day. We paddled about two hours and swam for another hour, a perfect combination on a July morning.   Merritts Mill Pond

We're Hiring an Executive Director Apalachicola Riverkeeper is recruiting an Executive Director.  The ideal candidate will bring a collaborative leadership style, strategic thinking, and a genuine passion for conserving one of the most biodiverse rivers in the United States. Job Announcement

SUPPORT OUR WORK Apalachicola Riverkeeper is an independent, non-profit advocacy organization founded in 1998. Your financial gift fuels our fight to defend the Apalachicola River.  Together, let’s keep working to protect and restore the Apalachicola River. Meet us at the Mill Pond in Apalachicola for a Power Hour Clean Up!

Apalachicola Riverkeeper P.O Box 8 Apalachicola , FL 32329 United States

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