HomeMy WebLinkAboutEnvironmental Issues-1995 Lake Jesup : from fisherman 's
paradise to environmental
basket case in only 40 years
BY DARRELL JOHNSON north,entered Lakeiesup at the south- were introduced, and the sawgrass
STAFF REPORTER OF THE dl'/Epp VOICE
em tip. It circulated through the that had helped purify the lake for
Until about 1950 Lake Jesup was 10.000-acre lake, eventually exiting eons slowly disc
a vibrant expanse of clear water.It was a mere quarter of a mile from where built to keep low-lying cattle grazing
known throughout the world as a bass it came in.Old timers used to say that lands thy.
disappeared. Dikes were
if you saw a log float It is these flood plains that act as
Oviedo and its environs into the lake, in about a large lake's kidneys. If water can eeks you
se. .tvfoat back out at and other)particles that help in plants
From then to now almost the same spot purification process.
and beyo In 1950 the over- For more than 40 years Lake
rid passes carrying High- Jesup has been choking to death.It is
way 46 across that end now famous for being one of the most
Fourth in a series of the lake were built.A polluted bodies of water in the state.
bridge was constructed A newcontroversy erupted when
over the river's exit the GreenWay expressway was pro-
fisherman's paradise. simply filled path, cherenentrance nce that posed
In a strange trick of nature. wa- point on the river bypassed the lake, cerned vthat movement pofvwildlife con-
ter from the St Johns River, flowing Cattails and non-native grasses
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eirt
Lake Jesup bridge is not high enough for them to around the lake. to study various
Continued from Page 1 boats ha entoatra el At ogthe air-tcenter of restoring its natural function.
cleaning up the lake and
(could be restricted if a situation simi- water span.far from shore and on rough
The project will include the use
of Ier to the Hwy 46 project occurred.
They also wanted to make sure run- rainwater landing on the expressway itteeslwill then tre check the riup's
Despite earlier protestations, itc of different techniques. Thecom-
off from the bridge would end up in bridge simply passes through port-
retention ponds rather than in the holes and flows into the Take. This made on full- port to the group's
lake. governing body,and decisions will be
Boaters wanted assurances that water contains high levels of scale measures.
the bridge would not disrupt traffic impurities.riucts.heap metalsand otlmr
on the lake. Hikers wanted room to The bridge is built. and it is
move through the area on foot with- doubtful that complaints about the
out encountering civilization. clearance will ever be resolved.Some
Everyone's worst nightmares of the land use questions may have
came true. The only place to pass un- answers, however
der the south end of the bridge is a The ultimate goal is to protect the
narrow band right along the shore of land surrounding the lake from de-
Lake Jesup. A tail hiker can barely velopment and other environmental
stand upright without hitting his head. damage. In most cases that means
During high water periods, no acquiring the land through state or
hiker would want to pass that way federal trusts, outright donations, or
The entire passage is under water. ' special purchases. In some cases a
That tunnel is also the only path developer uses whatever land will re-
available to wild animals passing main high and dry. then turns the
from one side of the highway to the management of the remainder over to
other,thereby cutting them off entirely an enrirpunmental agency
during the rainy season.
The entire layout of the bridge is create the Lake Jesup R stora(onrand to
claimed to be contran. to Seminole Basin Management Team. The act
County'si+uture Land Use Plan. sets aside $375.000 for a research
Pilots of large boats complain that team. made up of all interested chic
the slight rise near the middle of the and governmental-organizations
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