The History of Water in Florida

TRANSCRIPT OF LETTER FROM A. DEWEY SMITH TO GOVERNOR CLAUDE KIRK - WATER PSS

Fish and Game
1-2-5-8

[letterhead]
Central Florida Anti Water Pollution Association

Route 1 - Box 744
Apopka, Florida 32703

PHONE 889-2373

March 3, 1967

The Honorable Claude Kirk
Governor of The State of Florida
Tallahassee, Florida

Attn: Mr. J.R. Wilson
Re: Lake Apopka

Dear Sir:

In accordance with our telephone conversation today, March 3rd, regarding Lake Apopka, I am submitting the following pertinent information on the pollution problem of the lake.

Lake Apopka, as I am sure you know, is one of the largest lakes in Florida and the head lake of a large chain of lakes. Until a few years ago it was one of the finest known fishing lakes in the nation and a valued asset to the economy of the whole state.

I am enclosing a copy of a letter from the Lake Improvement Association of lake County to the Leesburg Chamber of Commerce to show you the results of the seining progran [sic] in Lake Griffin. Lake Griffin, like Lake Apopka, has a large citrus plant and muck farming adjacent to it. State Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission biologists have reported that the water quality in both lakes is about the same.

Our organization with the support of approximately 25,000 people in this area, as well as the local newspapers, and radio and TV stations has requested the Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission to cooperate in restoring the lake. To date we have received no cooperation from the commission - only delay via many, many biological studies of the lake. After much discussion with many individuals who have given much thought and study to all the factors involved, it is our opinion that the MOST IMPORTANT FACTOR FOR THE PRESENT WOULD BE A SEINING PROGRAM TO RID THE LAKE OF THE HUGE POPULATION OF GAR. Sixty thousand (60,000) pounds of gar were removed from Lake Apopka in twenty five (25) test seines made in October and November of 1966.

The Commission's report shows that in 1957 twenty million (20,000,000) pounds of shad were killed by their Rotenone treatment. The Rotenone treatment was repeated in 1959. These shad were left in the lake to decay and sink to the bottom. Not only shad were killed, but small game fish and their food, such as minnows and shrimp, were also killed.

In addition, thousands of acres of hyacinths in the lake were sprayed. These too were left to sink and decay contributing further to the bad conditions. The state Board of Health reported in 1962 that the shad kills and the spraying of the hyacinths polluted Lake Apopka more than all the other factors combined in the past thirty seven years.

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[letterhead]

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You can readily understand, then, why conditions in the lake became such that only gar could survive. We feel that the decomposition of the shad and hyacinths may be completed as there is evidence of the return of game fish and game fish food to the lake. However, even if the water were crystal clear, the game fish cannot make a substantial come back while huge numbers of gar infest the lake to consume the smaller game fish as fast as they multiply. Studies have shown that a gar eats approximately twice his weight each week and his diet consists mainly of game fish. Gars weighing as much as forty (40) pounds were removed in last fall's test seining hauls.

It is estimated that 250 to 300 seine hauls will be needed to achieve a natural balance of the fish population in Lake Apopka and to restore good fishing conditions within two years of the start of the seining. A return to the good fishing once synonymous with Lake Apopka would be a terrific boost to the economy of the entire area.

The cost of 300 seine hauls will be $40,000. We have been advised that $20,000. will be granted by The Orange County Commissioners if the State Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission will provide the other $20,000.

Governor Kirk promised in his campaign that he would do everything possible to restore Lake Apopka.

We are asking for your full support for this seining project and a continued effort to combat water pollution.

Respectfully yours,

THE CENTRAL FLORIDA ANTI WATER POLLUTION ASSOCIATION

[signed]
A. Dewey Smith, President
Route #1, Box 744
Apopka, Florida 32703

P.S. It is UNTHINKABLE that the people must organize to combat conditions that should not be allowed to exist.

Enc: 1

[Attachment]

To:
Leesburg's Chamber of Commerce
From:
The Lake Improvement Association

The Last of Forty (40) Test Hauls were completed in Lake Griffin Feb. 18th, 1967 to evaluate the benefits of the combination Haul Seine to remove large rough fish followed by a mild Chemical Program to destroy small Shad in order to retard their growth rate in the Lake.

The seining Program which began in August 1965 included one hundred thirty (130) hauls with the large net. This program plus the forty (40) test hauls just completed removed from the Lake in excess of three hundred (300) tons of rough fish.

These forty (40) test hauls have produced a carefully estimated average of four thousand (4,000) pounds of game fish per haul compared to about two hundred (200) per haul average at the beginning of the program.

It appears that an ideal balance of the fish population has been restored to Lake Griffin and good fishing will prevail.

This has been accomplished in less than two years. Some of our other Lakes in this Chain have similar problems with rough fish. Our Sport Fishing is a great economic asset to this entire area and we MUST continue this program throughout our Chain of Lakes.

We are most grateful to all whom vested their confidence, followed by their support of our organization, which enabled this program to have its beginning in Lake Griffin.

We now solicit the support of all Institutions, Civic Clubs, Business People and Individuals interested in the Improvement of Our Sport Fishing throughout this area in order that a funeral is not held for this worthwhile and needed program.