The St. Johns River is unusual for several reasons. If you will be appearing on Jeopardy, it might pay to know that seven rivers in the United States flow north and the third longest is the St. Johns River. The St. Johns extends approximately 300 miles, flowing north to Jacksonville, and then east into the Atlantic Ocean. That might be an $80.00 question.

Its rich history makes the River distinctive as well. The St. Johns is actually an old intracoastal lagoon system. When ancient sea levels dropped, the barrier islands prevented water from flowing due east, to the Atlantic Ocean. Instead, water collected in a flat valley and meandered about 300 miles to the Ocean, forming what is now the St. Johns River.

Before Europeans entered the picture, Native Americans called the St. Johns "Welaka," or River of Lakes. It has also been called Rio de Corrientes, or River of Currents, by Spanish seamen in the 1500s, "River of May" by French settlers, as well as River San Mateo.

And, the River is unique because we almost destroyed it, and now we are saving it. Saving it will take decades, and involve federal, State and local moneys. It also has required physical labor by thousands of Georgia and Florida volunteers. The St. Johns proves that it takes an aquatic Village to save a dying River.

In the 1900s, we did not know much about pollution, contamination, or the need to protect our Rivers. We were in an industrial and agricultural growth mode. The Rivers were thought of being there to serve, and if necessary, abused. Many, many miles of the River's flood plains were drained to make room for certain crops and other development. Over 70% of the rivers marshes were filled for agricultural and urban use.

This kind of uncontrolled filling was common to rivers through the United States. But the effect on the St. Johns was particularly harsh. Development along the River and streams that lead to the River has caused extensive water pollution from industrial, agricultural, and other sources. Over the last 100 years, plant species have suffered, and animal habitats have been destroyed. Decades of neglect caught up with the River, and it was by any definition a sick River.

Today, over three million people live in communities situated along the river. Recently, the St. Johns received American Heritage River designation from the federal government. The designation covers most of the River's length and provides federal assistance for River restoration efforts.

The federal designation was not without controversy. Some Congress Members attempted to block the federal river program, and even filed suit in federal court. The thrust of the opposition appears to be that it will be administered from Washington, rather than on a local level. However, when push came to shove, even many Representatives that philosophically opposed the program did not block applications for Rivers located within their Congressional Districts.

Other initiatives have been on a local level. The St. Johns River Water Management District has engaged in its own ongoing maintenance and restoration projects. In early July, the District conducted a controlled burn of forested property along the River, which ironically is aimed at preventing forest fires. The fires also help maintain ecologically important marshlands by preventing disfavored plant species from taking root. Such fires protect habitats for animals such as tortoises and eagles.

Over the last few years, Florida State lawmakers have lobbied for additional funding for reclamation purposes. Local organizations have also sponsored volunteer cleanup initiatives. Each year, thousands of Floridians participate in these events, recovering many tons of trash from the River.

This past March, over six thousand people participated in the cleanup event in both Florida and Georgia. More than 70 communities sponsored cleanup sites and educational programs. The volunteers removed over 365 thousand pounds of debris, including boats, bathtubs, refrigerators, and many more interesting finds.

This past January, it was announced that a Riverkeeper program will be started for the St. Johns. Modeled after a successful program along the once also very ill Hudson River, the program establishes an advocate who would patrol the River, and report only to the River. The River, not any elected official, will be the Riverkeeper's boss. The idea is to remove politics from the safeguarding process.

For this River that flows north, things are looking up. Federal, State, and local assistance is combining for a common and important goal. Of course, there are divergent interests and agendas, all of which must be harmonized. Let's hope, for the River's sake, that efforts continue in a positive direction and that science and reason will continue to prevail over politics.

The information provided in this column is written by Stuart Lieberman,a practicing environmental attorney, and is for general information purposes only. It is not legal advice and should not be used in place of legal advice.

Stuart Lieberman, Esq., and IRED.Com, Inc., will not accept any responsibilty for any reliance on the information in this column or any damages whatsoever resulting from reading this column.