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Rivers Coalition
September 2025 Newsletter |
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Thursday, September 25, 2025
11:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. |
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Stuart City Hall Chambers
121 SW Flagler Ave, Stuart, FL |
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| This meeting is in person and via Zoom, and is open to the public, with plenty of free parking available. Email info@riverscoalition.org for Zoom link. |
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FROM CITY HALL TO THE EVERGLADES: KEY UPDATES YOU NEED TO HEAR
Meet the City's Environmental Attorney, Ruth Holmes, and
Get Updates from Eve Samples, Executive Director of Friends of the Everglades, on the Lawsuit Filed Against the Detention Center |
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The Stuart City Commission formally authorized Ruth Ann Holmes as its long-awaited environmental attorney on May 27 to litigate environmental concerns.
Ruth A. Holmes was admitted to the Bar in 1997. Since that time, she has worked in the public and private sectors handling primarily environmental and related litigation matters. She began her career as an Assistant State Attorney in Broward County, later moving into the environmental field.
She spent almost a decade at the South Florida Water Management District working on regulatory issues. Ms. Holmes was in-house counsel with Martin County for 7 years, spending much of her time working closely with technical staff on Lake Okeechobee discharge matters, the state’s Basin Management Action Plan (BMAP) compliance issues, and other issues concerning the Clean Water Act. She has also been a panelist for Florida Bar and American Bar Association events on topics ranging from environmental and sustainability matters to computer forensic discovery issues.
Join us on Sept. 25 to welcome Ruth Ann Holmes! |
Eve Samples, Executive Director of Friends of the Everglades, will provide an update on the lawsuit filed against “Alligator Alcatraz,” the detention center operating in the Everglades. She’ll share the latest on the case, what’s at stake for our wetlands and communities, and the next steps in this critical legal fight.
Don't miss the Sept 25 meeting for the latest news! |
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Business Matters:
· Call to Order and Chairman’s Comments: Mark Perry, President
· Business matters and membership roll call
· Introduce new member, The Yacht Club of Stuart Yacht & Country Club
· Resolution vote
Presentation:
FROM CITY HALL TO THE EVERGLADES: KEY UPDATES YOU NEED TO HEAR
Ruth Holmes, Environmental Attorney, City of Stuart
Eve Samples, Executive Director, Friends of the Everglades
Government & Agency Progress Reports:
· Martin County: John Maehl
· City of Stuart: Ruth Holmes
· South Florida Water Management District: TBD
· State and Federal Agencies: USACE: Maj. Bell
· Lake Okeechobee Update: Dr. Paul Gray
· State and Federal Legislation: Gil Smart
Coalition Reports:
· Rivers Coalition Committee Updates:
· River Kidz: Casey Darling Kniffin
· Speakers Bureau: Todd Weissing
· Local Issues & Estuary Water Quality: Mark Perry
· Seagrass Update: Todd Thurlow
· Riverkeeper Update: Jim Moir
· Member Comments and Announcements
· Adjourn |
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Family Fun at Florida Oceanographic
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| Celebrate our estuaries on Saturday, Oct. 4 at Florida Oceanographic Coastal Center! Enjoy wildlife encounters, crafts, games, science activities, nature walks, and more—plus raffles, face painting, food trucks, and our sea turtle mascot. Click on the flyer below for more information. |
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From the Beach to the Podium
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Our River Kidz are jumping into a busy season of stewardship and speaking up for our waterways. Join us and cheer them on at these upcoming appearances:
· Sept 20 — International Coastal Cleanup (Stuart Beach): Pitch in alongside River Kidz to keep our shoreline clean and plastic-free. Click on the photo below for more information.
· Oct 4 — Estuaries Festival (Florida Oceanographic): Stop by the River Kidz table for hands-on activities and estuary education. See the flyer above.
· Nov 5 — Native Plant Society talk: River Kidz members Finley and Maisie Doré and Eleanor and Hazel Kniffin will share why native plants matter for healthy rivers and resilient ecosystems. |
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Rescue the River of Grass
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Sign Now to Join the Movement!
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The Everglades is one of the most critical ecosystems in the world, providing unique habitat for wildlife, protecting the water supply for millions of Floridians and safeguarding our coastal communities and economies. However, this precious resource remains imperiled due to a lack of water storage and treatment. More land is needed to store and clean water from Lake Okeechobee so it can flow into the Everglades and prevent harmful discharges to the northern estuaries.
To address this urgent issue, Friends of the Everglades has launched a campaign aimed at public acquisition of land in the Everglades Agricultural Area (EAA) for environmental restoration.
With your support, we can take meaningful action to restore the Everglades and protect Florida’s environment for future generations. |
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Rivers Coalition Meeting Minutes
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July 24, 2025 Summary of Comments
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Mark Perry called the meeting to order at 11:02 am. There were 59 attendees in person, 22 attendees on ZOOM call.
Minutes taken by Miki Blumenthal, Administrative Assistant.
Business Matters:
Member roll call was taken. Mark Perry welcomed everyone and recognized the Rivers Coalition board members present.
Presentation: Are You Exposed? What Sea Level Rise Means for Martin County
Amy Eason, Martin County Environmental Resource Engineer, gave a presentation on the county’s updated vulnerability assessment with regard to flooding, water quality, and sea level rise.
An extended Q&A session followed her presentation. The above presentations in its entirety can be seen at www.riverscoalition.org.
Government & Agency Reports:
Martin County: See main presentation.
City of Stuart: Ben Hogarth talked about the city’s vulnerability assessment and also the adaptation plan that they hope to have in place by the end of this year.
SFWMD: Drew Bartlett, Executive Director of SFWMD, gave a presentation on “Everglades Restoration Working,” focusing on results. An extended Q&A session followed his presentation. The presentation in its entirety can be seen at www.riverscoalition.org.
USACE: Maj. Bell gave updates on the C23/24 and STAs, as well as the C44. He talked about conditions necessary in order to conduct algae testing.
Lake O Update: In Paul Gray’s absence, Mark Perry talked about current lake levels and the slow rise contributing to recovery.
State and Federal Legislation: Eve Samples discussed the recent sugar protections/handouts, established with the recent passing of federal legislation, which are the largest handouts to the sugar industry in history.
Coalition Reports:
River Kidz: Casey Kniffin stated the River Kidz would be assisting the Indian Riverkeeper at the upcoming Treasure Coast Waterway Cleanup this weekend at the Jensen Beach Causeway. The River Kidz also have an opportunity to speak to the Florida Native Plants Society.
Speakers Bureau: Todd Weissing gave an update on the member renewal process, stating members would be contacted in the near future. Speakers can be requested at riverscoalition.org.
Water Quality Report: Mark Perry gave a water quality report and presented a slide show on the BMAP (Basin Management Action Plan) progress. A Q&A session followed his presentation. The presentation in its entirety can be seen at www.riverscoalition.org.
Seagrass Update: Todd Thurlow stated that Lake Okeechobee levels had met goals of the USACE lake recovery operations. He shared maps showing salinity levels. He reminded everyone of the address of his website for updates, photos, and live flow maps: eyeonlakeo.com.
Riverkeeper Update: No update given.
Member Comments and Announcements:
An audience member asked a question about toxic algae.
The meeting was adjourned at 12:50 p.m. |
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· September 25, Thursday
· October 23, Thursday
· November 20, Thursday
· December 2025 - no meeting
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All Meetings are at 11:00 a.m.
Stuart City Hall Chambers
121 SW Flagler Ave, Stuart, FL |
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· Mark Perry, President
· Eve Samples, Vice President
· Jim Moir, Secretary
· Darrell Brand, Treasurer
· Charles Grande, Director
· Todd Thurlow, Director
· Todd Weissing, Director
· Gil Smart, Director
· Merritt Matheson, Director
· Casey Kniffin, Director
· Ed Killer, Director |
PO Box 2627
Stuart, FL 34995
772-225-6849 |
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Rivers Coalition Organizational Members
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| 1000 Friends of Florida, 27-80 Paddlers, American Association of University Women, Admiralty Yacht Club, Arthur R. Marshall Foundation, Atlantic Point Yacht Club & Marina of Stuart, Audubon Florida, Audubon of Martin County, Ballantrae Anglers Club, Ballantrae Yacht Club, Beau Rivage HOA, Business Development Board of Martin County, Citizens for Clean Water, Computer Network Services, Conservation Alliance of St. Lucie Co. Inc, Cypress Lake HOA, Dolphin Ecology Project, Driftwood Motel of Jensen Beach. Economic Council of Martin County, Farm Vets, Everglades Foundation, Florida Oceanographic Society, Florida Sportsman, Florida Wildlife Federation, Fort Pierce Yacht Club, Four Rivers Property Association, Four Winds Condo Association, Friends of The Everglades, Friends of Harbor Branch - FAU, Guardians of Martin County, Harborage Yacht Condominiums, Harbour Ridge Yacht Club, Hutchinson Island Preservation Initiative, Humanists of the Treasure Coast, Indian Riverkeeper, Indian River Plantation POA, Jensen Beach Chamber of Commerce, Joe's Point HOA, Keep Martin Beautiful, Lake Okeechobee Restoration Initiative, Lake Worth Waterkeeper, Leadership Martin, League of Women Voters of Martin Co., League of Women’s Voters of SLC Co., Lighthouse Point Association Inc., Locks Landing HOA, Marine Cleanup Initiative Inc., Marine Industries Assoc. of Treasure Coast, Marine Resources Council, Martin County Anglers, Martin County Chapter of the Florida Native Plant Society, Martin County Conservation Alliance, Martin County Democratic Environmental Caucus, Martin County Farm Bureau, Martin County Future Group, Martin County Hotel & Motel Association,Miramar POA, Nettles Island Community Action Assoc., North River Shores Prop. Assoc., Ocean Research and Conservation Association, Palm City Civic Assn, Palm Cove Yacht Club, Palm Cove HOA, Pierpoint Condominium Assoc., Port Salerno Commercial Fishing Dock Assoc., Port Sewall Harbor & Tennis Club Owners Ass, Port Sewall Property Owners Assoc., Port St Lucie Anglers, President’s Council of Hutchinson Island, Realtor Association of Martin County, Rio Civic Club, River Club Dock Owners Association Inc., River Kidz, River Vista HOA, River Warriors, Royal Harbor Homeowners Assn, Sandhill Cove Retirement Living, Sailfish Point POA, Sailfish Point Yacht Club, Savanna Fishing Club, Save the Manatee Club, Seagate Harbor Homeowners Assoc., Sierra Club-:Loxahatchee Group, Snug Harbor Yacht Club, St. Lucie Audubon Society, St. Lucie River Yacht Club, St. Lucie Sailing Club, St. Lucie Settlement Inc., Stuart Corinthian Yacht Club, Stuart Heritage, Stuart Rod & Reel Club, Stuart/Martin County Chamber, Stuart Yacht Club, Surfrider Foundation, Teamsters Local 769, The Garden Club of Stuart Inc, The Estuary at North River Shores, The Junior League of Martin County, Treasure Coast Buddhist Cooperative, Treasure Coast Builders Association, Treasure Coast Golf Course Superintendents Association, Treasure Coast Rowing Club, Treasure Coast Unitarian Universalist Church, US Sailing Center of Martin County, Venture Three Community, VoteWater, Windjammer Condo Association |
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