Boyd to Host Apalachicola River, Bay Congressional Forum

Corps, FWS, Florida stakeholders, and local oystermen to discuss impact of freshwater flows on the Apalachicola River, Bay, and North Florida communities

On Monday, July 21, 2008, Congressman Allen Boyd (D-North Florida) will host a Congressional Forum in Chattahoochee, Florida, on the impact of the southeastern drought and low freshwater flows on the Apalachicola River and Bay and North Florida's communities.  U.S. Congressman Heath Shuler (D-NC), the Chairman of the Small Business Subcommittee on Rural and Urban Entrepreneurship, will be Congressman Boyd's special guest at the forum and will help determine what Congress can do to assist the people of North Florida and small business owners affected by this historic drought and low flows.

Other forum participants will include representatives from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), Florida's stakeholders, local business owners, local oystermen, and experts on the Apalachicola-Chattahoochee-Flint (ACF) River System.

"The people of North Florida, who depend on the Apalachicola River and Bay for their livelihood, must be heard," Congressman Boyd said.  "I am eager for the Corps and FWS to hear firsthand from our oystermen, shrimpers, and others along the river and bay who have a tremendous stake in the ACF issue.  Those of us in North Florida are committed to making sure that Florida's resources are protected.  After years of disputes, I will continue working and pushing on a local, state, and federal level to see that a reasonable and long term water management solution for the ACF system is developed."

What:           Apalachicola River and Bay Congressional Forum

Who:            Congressman Allen Boyd         

*Congressman Heath Shuler, the Chairman of the Small Business Subcommittee on Rural and Urban Entrepreneurship

*Brigadier General Joseph Schroedel, South Atlantic Division Commander, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers   

*Sam Hamilton, Regional Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

*Dan Tonsmeire, Apalachicola Riverkeeper

*Dave McLain, Senior Policy Director for the Apalachicola Riverkeepers and a member of the Apalachicola River Riparian County Stakeholders Coalition

*Jackson County Commissioner Jeremy Branch and spokesperson for the Apalachicola River Riparian County Stakeholders Coalition

*Kevin Begos, Executive Director of the Franklin County Oyster & Seafood Task Force

*Grady Leavins, Owner of Leavins Seafood

*Franklin County Commissioner Joseph "Smokey" Parrish

*Dr. Felicia C. Coleman, Director of the Coastal & Marine Laboratory at FSU

When:           2:00 p.m. EDT

Monday, July 21, 2008

Where:          U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' Resource Office, 2382 Booster Club Road

Chattahoochee, Florida 32324

*Due to space limitations, the Apalachicola River and Bay Congressional Forum is not open to the general public, but all local, state, and federal officials as well as local stakeholders have been invited.