My recent editorial

This was published by the Palm Beach Daily News on February 7, 2009...

Restoring Everglades ecosystem best way to quench thirst

By JOHN ARTHUR MARSHALL, Special to the Daily News
Saturday, February 07, 2009
At the Town of Palm Beach political debates Jan. 26, a major topic was the need to address economic matters. What was demonstrated was the need for more environmental awareness and identification with the oft-cited fact that in Florida the environment is the economy.
Regarding improving the town water supply, it is very clear that restoring the Everglades ecosystem, and its historic cleansing marshes and swamps, is the most cost-effective approach to good, cheap drinking water. This also refreshes the aquifer from which much water is pumped, and will get clean fresh water to the West Palm Beach water plant, hence to the town, when done properly.
Anyone from New York where the Hudson River watershed was restored, an option chosen over high-tech approaches such as reverse osmosis to provide a big city drinking water, ought to recognize the natural systems approach as the citizen's choice. There are many spin-off benefits here as well.
Reverse osmosis, desalination plants and big pumps generate big energy requirements and big costs. They ought to be last resorts, when more economical approaches are available, and energy use and carbon emissions can be reduced by natural means, which also provides carbon sequestration.
Senior scientists have also concluded that restoration of the Everglades and its primary characteristic — sheet flow — is also a potential antidote to sea level rise and salt water intrusion. Both hold significant threats to the island, long-term. Here one needs to exercise the precautionary principle.
Beach renourishment by shoveling sand against the tide is geologically futile. The next storm washes the sand away before the cost is paid for. What is needed is a more aggressive approach using groins and breakwaters perpendicular to the shore. Such approaches would be much less intrusive on the reefs and turtle nesting, and have a much better effect on preventing beach erosion.
The Arthur R. Marshall Foundation has attempted to educate the candidates and incumbents. Two got a good perspective on a bus trip to the Everglades. Others would do well to make time to do the same. Clearly more big-picture understanding is needed about how the present approach may be an economic and ecologic disaster waiting to happen, and a great liability on future generations.
Gov. Charlie Crist has taken the natural approach as he noted in (a recent) speech to the Forum Club: Restore the missing link to revitalize the River of Grass and get multiple benefits far exceeding costs. Former Mayor Lesly Smith understands the implications here as well as anyone on the council, past or present. Both have exercised leadership by doing what's best for all.
Can the candidates and incumbents please give due consideration to a sustainable restoration and conservation approach by supporting Everglades restoration in a manner that will benefit all?
Mr. Marshall is chairman of the board for the Arthur R. Marshall Foundation & Florida Environmental Institute

photo courtesy of Cindy Bartosek

Trail Spruce Up at the Refuge

The Foundation held its annual Trail Spruce-Up at the Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge, in Boynton Beach on January 31. Our job is to help prepare the Refuge for the upcoming Everglades Day Festival. Volunteers removed non-native plants, picked up litter, added meleleuca mulch to a few spots and cleaned up several public spaces. The weather was wonderful and our volunteers were enthusiastic! Special thanks to our roving naturalist--Dr. Tom Poulson and to Chris Lockhart of Habitat Specialists, Inc for providing team leadership and a boardwalk-talk!. Thanks to all of you who joined us--we will see you on Everglades Day--February 7, 2009!

One of our young volunteers made a video about the Spruce-Up. Click here to view:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QRuoM07BcBM

photos soon!

Foundation Photos

You can view photos of Foundation tree-plantings, fundraisers and events at our Photobucket page.

Just click on http://s212.photobucket.com/albums/cc83/ARMF_photos/ to choose!

From the 2008 Cypress Harvest

Notes from the Hydrological Targets Scientific Symposium

With the South Florida Water Management District preparing for the River of Grass Project Planning Phase 1, I submitted my notes from the recent Hydrological Targets Scientific Symposium held from January 14-16 at the District:

The substantive issue was getting to consensus on flows and levels targets in terms of volume of water in acre feet are needed going south to match the hydraulics of the natural system as close as possible, given the modern constraints of an altered system.

A significant part of the discussion called for targets for the estuaries as well, so as not to trash them.

Bob Johnson did a good job of summarizing and amplifying the DOI (Dept of Interior) Vision and Plan, with supporting comments from Rock Salt and a few others.

The general consensus was that the historic everglades, paleo to 40's was a lot wetter, and the more water going south, the better, i.e., there is a need to capture and clean much of the water going to tide, and get it past Tamiami Trail, and into FL Bay.

REQUEST: There was a website given as a location for copy of the several presentations, but I must have written it down wrong. Maybe Rick Smith can provide same.

The Moderator was Dick Pettigrew, giving this a dejavu-all-over-again breath of the Governor's Commission for a Sustainable South Florida, which he chaired; this was a brilliant suggestion, as I understand it, by one of our favorite Governing Board members. Greg Knect was at the head of the table also, representing DEP (The Governor?), for more Gov Commission feel. Ken Ammon was the technical moderator, pushing the group to stay on the objective of getting to consensus on MFL targets for the Everglades from Lake O to FL Bay.

Kudo's to those who pushed for more natural system flow, than static storage, especially Ronnie Best, Nick Auman, Cris McVoy, Bob Johnson, Rock Salt, and a few others, not to exclude anybody. Much of this may reflect involvement in the DOI Vision and Plan "peer review".

A few references to the McVoy, et al, book on the 1880's satellite view of the historic everglades, which is due to hit the street just in time, as in better late than never.

The balance between reservoirs and restoration of dynamic storage and sheet flow remains a puzzle yet to be solved, with the catch 22 conundrum that reservoir acreage takes away treatment acreage, and reservoir water requires more treatment acreage. Made comments to this effect, and left a copy of the EvCo Conference Panel power point presentation on same on the lobby table. Was happy to see that the 2 million + acre-feet back-of-the-envelope calculations were close to "average" calculations presented in the NSM et al models.

What came out of the several models presented was a middle of the road graphic called a synthetic model, which was useful in getting to a consensus hydro-target, with flow south variability ranging from about 500,000 acre-ft in dry years to 3,500,000 acre feet in wet years, best I can recall from looking at graphs for at least 10 hours over three days.

The main purpose of the reservoir storage need cited was to provide more water to the Everglades during dry years of, especially when the drought extents more than a year. Surge needs was not raised as a major problem, as it has in past discussions, citing the need for swift water to sustain the ridge and slough landscape.

There were about 30 scientists, most of whom were around in '98 when CERP was formulated, around the discussion table, all of them knowledgeable govt scientists, or former govt employees (e.g. Tom Van Lent, Tom McVicar, John Ogdon), also a technical consultant, Frank Marshall (no relationship). Some modeling work by Frank, and also Fennama was touted as noteworthy contributions.

The audience dwindled from about 10 the first day to 3 at closing. YT (Yours Truly) was the only one to take in all three days, and make public comment daily, three times on the last day, and handouts on the lobby table. Exception was a "cameo" appearance by Drew Martin, who made public comment calling for flow on behalf of Sierra.

Pushed the essence of the Marshall Plan, also called for Ecosystems Services Values in Economic Terms, same as Art Marshall called for qualitatively, and what's in the DOI Vision & Plan = the Art Marshall Plan - revisited. I will be prepared to summarize at the Clewiston event, including a few copies of the DOI Vision and Plan, and copies of what was left on the lobby table as public comment, same as what went to the Everglades Coalition Conference+.

In response to John Ogden's ongoing question about what should the repaired system look like, I pushed for 10,000 acres of restored pond apple forest as the first element of the flow path, TBD in future planning.

[Trees 'R Us! At 500 trees per acre planted, this is 5,000,000 million trees, about a 50 million dollar job for Ag/nursery folks in the Glades, and a lot of nutrient uptake.]

The Symposium was webcast; The District announced that they had about 500 folks watching during the course of the symposium, or something like that.

Unfortunately there was no press on any of the days to report on the proceedings, substantiating my observation that the body politic (general public) does not much care for data and number crunching, also that Data is apolitical, Politics is data antithetical, such that there is more interest in politics than data.

All agreed it was a well worth-while science symposium, AKA Hydrologic Restoration Targets Workshop, including me, which was my last public comment statement and the last word, at the closing bell. Maybe the best we have seen since the 1981-1994 time frame.

OK, carried away a bit, and this is from the perspective of the only public commentor for all three days, and is certainly not all inclusive. However, this is the report most of which ought to be a lead-in to the Jan 22 event, also the report that is unlikely to hit the newspapers.

YT, JAM

A 'Vision' for the Everglades --The Marshall Foundation responds

For the Future of Florida, Repair the Everglades -

1981 – The Marshall Plan Revisited!
Arthur R. Marshall Foundation Science & Technology Team Must Have Agency Action Report
January 8, 2008

Subject: Dept. of Interior Vision and Plan for Successful Everglades Restoration as an outline for an Everglades Agricultural Area Plan

ABSTRACT: This report addresses two urgencies: (1) Major disconnects between the Dept. of Interior Vision & Plan/National Research Council (NRC) recommendations, and terms of the US Sugar Corporation (USSC) land buy; (2) actions needed to overcome the major disconnects, given DOI/NRC stated urgency.

BACKGROUND. DOI has issued Version 2, of the DOI Vision and Plan, i.e. The Plan (Scarlett, Duke, et al, 2008). The Plan is being used as briefing document for the Obama transition team. The Plan is based on National Academy of Sciences (NAS) National Research Council (NRC) Recommendations. (National Research Council, 2008) Briefings at the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) have indicated it will take at least two years to develop a plan for restoration efforts in the Everglades Agricultural Area (EAA), after the USSC land purchase is complete, and land swaps can begin. Land swaps may be delayed owing to US Sugar having a seven year lease on the land, and other circumstances not yet foreseen.

THE MARSHALL PLAN, 1981, postulated that: (1) Sheet flow be restored to the greatest possible extent [feasible under current conditions] from the Kissimmee Lakes to Florida Bay; (2) the purpose was to recover an array of vital natural resources now disappearing from the region, of extreme importance to present and future Floridians and to the nation at large. (3) The status quo…continues to diminish or degrade: - water supplies – soils - freshwater fisheries - marine fisheries & estuaries – wetlands – Everglades National Park. This remains our call to restore the Everglades and its historic river of grass, per the Governor’s mandate.

IMPACT OF NOT TAKING ACTIONS SUGGESTED: Less than full action will preclude timely restor-ation with potentially unrecoverable ecosystem services and severe economic impacts (Marshall, 1981, 2008)

THREE MAJOR DISCONNECTS
· The seven year lease terms of the USSC land undermine the urgency of taking near term action to prevent further, possibly non-restorable degradation of the Everglades ecosystem, as reported by NRC (2008) and outlined in the DOI Plan.
· The seven year lease terms of the USSC insufficiently address the urgency of taking near term action on Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan - CERP implementation as a carbon sequestration mecha-nism to mitigate sea level rise and climate change as reported by NRC (2008)/outlined in the DOI Plan.
· Both the DOI Plan and the USSC land purchase are not financially executable under the current federal – state financial structure; there is an immediate urgent need of financial restructuring, to provide the means for urgent actions aforementioned.

THE MARSHALL PLAN BENEFICIAL SUGGESTIONS FOR MUST HAVE AGENCY ACTION – 2009:

FEDERAL BENEFICIAL SUGGESTIONS:
· Presidential allocation of funds to CERP to make up for CERP 50/50 nine year federal deficit
· Presidential allocation of funds as a jobs/conservation corps/carbon reduction mechanism to support CERP implementation
· Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) or expanded federal legislation for back payment, and continue federal share of CERP 50/50 cost share.
· Federal establishment of cap and trade system with potential for ecosystem services economic value to partially fund CERP.
· DOI/Task Force facilitation of DOI Vision & Plan per WRDA 96, section 528, under an all-stakeholder Commission/Council Co-Chaired by Secretary, FDEP (Per DOI Vision and Plan recommendation)
o Continue science coordination team work to support stakeholder Commission
· Re-designation of the Everglades as an endangered ecosystem

STATE BENEFICIAL SUGGESTIONS:
· Provide funding to supplement the US Sugar Corporation (USSC) land purchase by SFWMD
· Appoint a Glades representative to the vacant SFWMD Governing Board position ASAP.
· Press USSC and other land owners for minimal land acreage immediately to implement full DECOMP and restoration of sheet flow per DOI Vision and Plan.
· Ensure the minimal amount of acreage (150,000 acres?) to make the USSC plant at Clewiston productive (cost-effective) for seven years.
· Take actions that provide non-ag economic transition under State Regional Economic Development Initiatives (REDI) before the Clewiston sugar mill becomes less than cost effective (next generation?).
· Note that failure to provide a modicum of land to restore the missing link results in equivalent adverse economic consequences to those who depend on the estuaries or near-shore fisheries for livelihood.
o Recognize that the ~43,000 acres needed to restore the missing link flow path will provide ecosystem service benefits of great economic value to all (Marshall, 1981; Marshall, 2008)
· Press for a lower total price, a higher lease price, and support, for financial sustainability of SFWMD mission, or out, per SFWMD counter-offer; the status quo amounts to an unfunded mandate.
· Use DOI Vision and Plan as integrated strategic guidance for an EAA plan
· Use Florida Dept of Community Affairs (DCA)/Department of Environmental Protection (DEP)/SFWMD oversight to ensure county plans do not interfere with CERP implementation.
· Provide a Co-Chair for facilitation of the DOI Plan per WRDA 96, section 528, under a standing stakeholder Commission; Include county govt and Florida stakeholder representation.

LOCAL BENEFICIAL SUGGESTIONS (Counties):
· Ensure land use provisions that do not inhibit CERP implementation
· Participate in implementing DOI Vision and Plan.
· Take Action in the 10 County Coalition

US SUGAR CORP: Cure the Mine Problem; Keep the corporate word that the sale is for the greater good.

AG COMMUNITY: Negotiate Land Trades; Help the local economy: Donate a Nature Center!

EVERGLADES COALITION: (DISCLAIMER: This Report does not constitute endorsement by EvCo)
· Exercise leadership in advocating for beneficial suggestions herein; Base advocacy on science
· Note that the DOI Vision and Plan is the closest thing to the 1981 Marshall Plan
· Note that the DOI Plan is the closest thing to the Everglades Coalition May, 2006, resolution taken to the Task Force asking for a strategic plan for the EAA; Same for the 10 County Coalition resolution in 2006.
· Note that all this is an extension of the homework given to EvCo by Senator Bob Graham (2008)

GENERAL BENEFICIAL SUGGESTIONS:
· Base all the above on full cost consideration of ecosystem services economic benefits as well as costs;
· Make CERP implementation a case study on getting to a proper Benefit:Cost ratio for decision support; (NRC 2000; Marshall, 2008); See NRC Summary at: http://dels.nas.edu/dels/rpt_briefs/valuing_services_final.pdf
· Be optimistic; Optimism is a force multiplier; Colin Powell.

REFERENCES / BIBLIOGRAPHY (Some familiarity of the references are a prerequisite for full understanding of this report, and the basis for action per beneficial suggestions noted:
1. Almeida, Danielle, et al; Top 10 Science Needs and Gaps; A poster paper; Greater Everglades Ecosystem Restoration (GEER) Conference; July 21 – August 1, 2008; Naples, FL.
2. Marshall, Arthur R. Jr: For the Future of Florida, Repair the Everglades; Friends of the Everglades newsletter and Petition; Spring 1981; Also known as the Marshall Plan
3. Marshall, John Arthur; Value of Ecosystem Services Provided by Restoring Gravity-Driven Flow to the Everglades; A Conference on Ecosystem Services (ACES); Dec 8 – 11; Naples, FL
4. National Research Council; Valuing Ecosystem Services; National Academy Press; 2000
5. National Research Council; Progress Toward Restoring the Everglades: The Second Biennial Review, 2008; National Academies Press Advance Copy; September 29, 2008
6. Scarlett, Lynn; Duke, Dennis, et al; Department of Interior Vision and Plan for Successful Everglades Restoration; Dec 4, 2008 Version (ARMF S&T Supporting comments to SFWMD Governing Board, WRAC et al, Jan 6, 2008)

NeutralGator: A Tale of Two Swamps

N E W S R E L E A S E - For immediate release
Belle Glade tree-planting will neutralize carbon from UF game
Marshall Foundation volunteers will plant trees on November 15 as part of “Neutral Gator” program

West Palm Beach, Florida, November 10, 2008 – Arthur R. Marshall Foundation Chairman John Marshall announced today that the organization would be participating in an effort to “neutralize” carbon emissions produced by the November 15 University of Florida home football game against the University of South Carolina.

About 30 volunteers and staffers from the West Palm Beach-based Marshall Foundation, which works for the restoration and preservation of the greater Everglades ecosystem, will spend the morning of the game planting native trees on Torry Island, a 700-acre wetland near Belle Glade.
The effort is part of the Neutral Gator Initiative (www.neutralgator.org), a program co-sponsored by UF’s Office of Sustainability that aims to offset carbon emissions resulting from UF’s 2008 football season home games.

“It’s a wonderfully creative way to focus people’s attention on global warming antidotes and the role of Everglades restoration in mitigating sea level rise. We’re proud to be a part of it,” said Mr. Marshall, adding that he’s especially pleased that the initiative originated at his alma mater. Both John Marshall and his uncle Arthur, for whom the Foundation is named, graduated from the University of Florida.

“We are also very pleased that our Arthur R. Marshall Summer Interns who are environmental science majors at UF are participating,” said Mr. Marshall. “They will act as Everglades subject-matter experts and ‘tour guides’ at the Neutral Gator booth at the game.”

The tree-planting will take place at 9 a.m. on Saturday, November 15 at 5000 W. Canal Street North in Belle Glade. Two hundred native, wetland trees will be planted in an area that was once part of the original Everglades ecosystem, and that the Marshall Foundation has long been working to reforest. To date, the Foundation has planted more than 35,000 trees on Torry Island. The South Florida Water Management District, which owns the land, will be “donating” carbon credits earned by the planting to Neutral Gator. Past and future plantings will continue to sequester carbon and other contaminants.

For more information about the Marshall Foundation, please call 561.805.8733 or visit http://www.artmarshall.org/.

To read the National Academy of Sciences summary on the current state of the Florida Everglades, visit http://dels.nas.edu/dels/rpt_briefs/everglades_brief_final.pdf?utm_source=Network&utm_medium=Widgetv2&utm_content=v2&utm_campaign=Widget

Available for Interview:
John Marshall, Chairman of the Board, Arthur R. Marshall Foundation
561.805.8733; jaminfo@aol.com
Media Contacts:
Susanna Laurenti, Director of Communications & Outreach, Arthur R. Marshall Foundation,
561.805.8733; susanna.laurenti@artmarshall.com