Mayor Peyton made the following statement after learning that the St. Johns River was being placed on the “Ten Most Endangered” list:

“It is both a challenge and an opportunity for the many friends of the St. Johns River for it to be highlighted as one of the 10 most endangered rivers in America by the national organization, American Rivers,” said Mayor Peyton.

The Mayor added, “Duval County and northeast Florida are working hard to improve conservation by expanding the use of reclaimed water, establishing a stormwater utility which will pay for much-needed drainage improvements to improve the quality of stormwater, and providing enhanced citizen education about the health of the river through a report card – the first of which is due out later this month. 

On this day when we are focusing on the health of the St. Johns River, I urge the City Council to consider and pass the pending legislation that will require best practices on the use of fertilizers as well as the ordinance that would apply a common sense approach to irrigation in light of the fragility of the river’s health.

We must not lose focus on the task at hand – that is, to recognize the St. Johns River as the crown jewel of this community and work toward taking all steps necessary to protect it.

I salute the hard work of American Rivers as they bring these important issues to the forefront of conversation.”