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Former U.S. Senator Bob Graham to speak at springs and waterways protection summit in Ocala

Former U.S. Senator and two-time Florida Governor Bob Graham has been a longtime champion for the restoration of the Florida Everglades.  This coming Saturday Graham will participate in an event about many of Florida's other water bodies.  Florida's 89.1, WUFT-FM's Donna Green-Townsend reports:

http://www.wuft.org/media/audio/MEBobGrahamWrapFinalDGTJune182012.mp3

Senator Graham will give the keynote address at this Saturday's event called "Speak Up for Florida's Waters" at a Florida's Springs and Waterways Protection Summit in Ocala. Graham says many of Florida's water bodies are in peril.

http://www.wuft.org/media/audio/FPBobGraham1springs.mp3

The "Speak up for Florida's Waters" is being sponsored by several organizations including the Silver Springs Alliance, the Florida Springs Institute, the St. John's Riverkeeper group, the Silver River Museum, the Marion County Springs Festival and the Florida Conservation Coalition to name a few.  Graham says the ultimate goal of the Coalition is to see positive political action over concerns about the degradation of many of the state's rivers and springs.

http://www.wuft.org/media/audio/FPBobGraham4springs.mp3

Graham expressed disappointment over how lawmakers dismantled many of the regulations and conservation measures for the state's waterways in 2011. 

http://www.wuft.org/media/audio/FPBobGraham5spring.mp3

Despite what he calls a troubling year, Graham says he's optimistic about the future of Florida's environment: 

http://www.wuft.org/media/audio/FPBobGraham6springs.mp3

Senator Graham will be joined by State Senator Lee Constantine along with springs scientist, Dr. Bob Knight, former Chief Biologist for the Florida State Park System, Jim Stevenson and Florida outdoors photographer John Moran.  The event runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Silver River State park.  The free event will include educational presentations, exhibitions, food, live music and tram rides to the Silver River.

Donna is a reporter for WUFT News and can be contacted by calling 352-392-6397 or emailing news@wuft.org.