State designated paddling trails traverse the mixing zones

All 60 miles of the St. Johns River in Putnam County is a state designated
paddling trail and is included in the Countys eco-tourism campaign

In May the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Office

of Greenways and Trails gave approval, designating multiple
waterways in Putnam County as paddling trails. Among the approved
trails are multiple routes on the St. Johns River. These are the first
and only paddling trails designated on the St. Johns River.
Following approval, Putnam County was complimented on taking the
initiative to be the first to request designation on the St. Johns River.
Copied from http://palatka-fl.gov/?p=873. Posted June 16, 2010

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Paddlers frequently use and enjoy the

St. Johns River in the mixing zones.
Photo of Karen Chadwick by Karen Ahlers

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Boaters enjoying a walk along the St. Johns

River near the mixing zones.
Photo of Bob Bird and Karen Chadwick by Karen Ahlers

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Putnam County Environmental Council

members enjoying a field trip on the St. Johns
River in the vicinity of and through
the mixing zones.
Photo by Karen Ahlers
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One of Putnam Countys largest and most economically

successful ecotourism events, the annual Mug Race, takes
hundreds of sailboat directly through the mixing zones on their
way from Palatka to Jacksonville.
Photo by Sandy Kokernoot
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Palatka
Bass Fishing
Capital of the World
Anglers participating in the Bassmaster Elite
fishing tournament on the St. Johns River leave
the docks in Palatka on Saturday morning. By
PETER WILLOTT,
peter.willott@staugustine.com
This image appeared in the March 19, 2011 online
edition of the St. Augustine Record.
http://staugustine.com/sports/outdoors/2011-03-19/
alton-jones-leads-bass-tourney-palatka#.T-nYbRx9Asw

Bass fishing tournaments

have long been a mainstay
of Putnam Countys
economy. Many participating professionals fish in and
in close proximity to the
mixing zones.

A Pipeline is Not a Solution to Pollution

http://peterthliveros.com/bassmaster/
Peter Thliveros, aka Peter "T", has been
fishing professionally for over 25 years. He cut
his teeth fishing the St. Johns, having grown up
in Jacksonville along the banks of the river.
Peter turned pro in 1985. Since that time, he
has become one of bass fishing's elite anglers.
Peter has finished in the top ten in 39 B.A.SS.
tournaments and 7 FLW tournaments. He has
won 4 Bassmaster tournaments and the ESPN
Great Outdoor Games Gold Medal in 2000 and
2001, and was the 1996 FLW Angler of the Year
and the 2003 Ranger Cup Champion. In 2007,
Peter finished 9th in
the world rankings.
"I have learned from my days fishing the St.
Johns that we must have clean water and good
habitat to maintain healthy fish populations,"
explains Peter.
"When we pollute and alter the conditions of
the river, we can disrupt the entire system that
fish depend on to thrive.
Peter "T" insists that we must protect the
river to protect our own interests: "Maintaining

our status as the Bass Capital of the World is

important for many reasons.
If people are catching a lot of lunkers, it
means that we are taking care of our river. It
also means big bucks for our region's economy.
When the river attracts sportsmen, local
businesses benefit. The economic value of the
St. Johns and our way of life are way too
important to jeopardize with a pipeline."

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Shrimping
on the
St. Johns
is a
family
affair!

Shrimp fry must travel from the estuary in Jacksonville upstream

through the mixing zones to mature. They then return downstream back to the estuary, again through the mixing zones. Note
Georgia-Pacific in the background center. This photo was taken
on a dock within a few yards of where the pipeline has been laid.
Photo by Joy Marburger of her daugher Jackie.

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Within close proximity to

and within the mixing
zones is one of the most
productive areas of the St.
Johns for shrimping. Top
photo reveals the west side
of the St. Johns River
bank with the GeorgiaPacific plant visible on the
horizon. Bottom photo is
on the eastern shoreline on
the same boat, same day.
Photos of Anita Smith and Lorelei Esser
by Capt. Karen Chadwick

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Sustenance fisherfolk line the city docks in Palatka in the

vicinity of the mixing zones during the annual shrimp run
in the St. Johns River.
Photo by Sandy Kokernoot
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Local fisherman in the mixing zones.

Photo by Melissa Highenbottom

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