Conservation

Saving our Springs:
Outstanding Fla. Springs Rulemaking Underway
Weeki Wachee Springs floating algae/Image by D. Quirolo

Weeki Wachee Springs floating algae/Image by D. Quirolo

Florida legislation was passed over a decade ago to protect Outstanding Florida Springs (OFS’s). But it has been largely ineffective because the required uniform rules and standards for implementing the regulation of water consumption use permits for water were never defined. Since 2014, the water districts have NEVER denied a consumptive use permit, despite the OFS’s rule to avoid “significant harm to the water resources or ecology of the area.” The Florida Springs Council has sued the state of Florida twice to take action. 

Local springs including Weeki Wachee, Kings Bay/Crystal River and Homosassa/Chassahowitzka Springs Groups, and the wildlife that depends upon these springs, especially manatees, have experienced serious impacts and even mortality from increasing pollutant loads and excessive drawdown that is causing water quality decline, loss of healthy seagrasses, and reduced spring runs.  

This decline is not restricted to our area. Eighty percent of Florida’s springs are impaired. Florida is currently over-pumping 2 billion gallons of water per day. Springs flow is down 30% state-wide, contributing to a decline in water quality. Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s (FDEP) 2040 Water Plan predicts water shortages statewide by 2040 at current rates of consumption.

Nutrients, primarily nitrogen, from agricultural fertilizer are the leading cause of water quality decline, followed by urban fertilizers and septic systems/wastewater treatment plants. While strong fertilizer ordinances can rein in urban pollution, more must be done to address agricultural and wastewater pollution.   

On December 10th, 2024, FDEP published a long overdue Notice of Proposed Rule for Outstanding Florida Springs Rulemaking. The public comment period on the draft rules ended December 31, 2024. A hearing is set in Tallahassee on Jan. 6th to discuss and possibly adopt them. The proposal defines the scope of the rule, conditions for issuance of permits and a uniform definition of Harmful to the Water Resources of the Area. 

Sierra Club Adventure Coast strongly supports the long overdue rulemaking to define the term “Harmful to Water Resources” for purposes of water permits for Outstanding Florida springs and spring runs. However, the proposed draft rule is entirely inadequate. It does nothing beyond current consumptive use permitting to provide targeted protection to specifically prevent harm to our springs. It is time to go back to the drawing board and provide a more detailed and substantive rule. 

Sierra Club is a member of the Florida Springs Council that has taken the lead to submit a stronger draft proposed rule to FDEP. Adventure Coast Group endorses and supports adoption of this draft rule instead of the one set for hearing on Jan. 6th. Let’s hope we get it right this time.

Citrus County News
Citrus County News
 
  • On Dec. 10th, 2024, the Citrus County Commission postponed for 180 days an amendment to the Manatee Element of the Comprehensive Plan requested by Robert Batsel, Esq.,1728 Investments, LLC to work out concerns by the Florida Fish & Wildlife Commission (FWC) and U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (F&W). Batsel seeks to revise how boat slips in cut basins are evaluated in relation to how many slips are now allowed by the plan, that could increase the number of boat slips. This could reduce manatee habitat and increase boating activity in areas frequented by manatees, and conflicts with the current Manatee Protection Plan. This change would require approval by both FWC and F&W prior to consideration by Citrus. 
  • At the Dec. 10th meeting, the Citrus County Commission also held a public hearing to amend the Manatee Protection Zone. Signs in Kings Bay that were recently removed marking the zone will be replaced with uniform waterway markers to identify the manatee protection zones. The amendment will establish slow speed zones for manatee protection in Homosassa and Crystal River where “all vessels shall be operated at or below slow speed minimum wake at all times.” Other areas of these rivers will be established as no wake zones where “all vessels shall be operated at or below idle speed no wake at all times.” The amendment was approved by a unanimous vote of the Commission.

Hernando County News
Hernando County News
 
  • The land grab by Gov. DeSantis and his Cabinet to trade 324 acres of Withlacoochee State Forest in Hernando for timberland in Levy County to develop a golf course resort has slowed to a virtual stop. Final approval required by the Florida Acquisition and Restoration Council has not occurred nor is it on recent meeting agendas. Sierra Club Florida commissioned a survey of the property by gopher tortoise protection leader Chase Pirtle. He found 112 gopher tortoise burrows on the property—60 of them active. The state spent six million dollars for this valuable conservation land.  Letters of opposition to the Florida Forest Service from Sierra Club and other conservation groups have gone unanswered.
  • Gold Dust Farms, Ltd. has submitted a proposal to Hernando County for approval to build a 300-member golf course resort on 292 acres of forest bordering Hernando Audubon’s Ahhochee Hill Sanctuary and the Withlacoochee State Forest. A community meeting was held on Dec. 3rd attended by about 70 concerned neighbors who pointed out the many ways it would impact them, including loss of well water, access by emergency services and traffic safety issues. The landowner, local attorney and power broker Joe Mason, was urged to sell it to the state for conservation land but refused, saying that it is up to the new landowner, who also refused.
  • Hernando County held a workshop on Dec. 18th to begin a shared vision for the county’s future through a five-year Strategic Plan. The facilitators were from Collaborative Labs at St. Petersburg College and the John Scott Dailey Florida Institute of Government. The room was full of participants who were positive and cooperative. We identified what we value about Hernando, issues of concern, and then guiding principles for participation. Many residents voiced their appreciation for Hernando’s natural areas, rural lands, and undeveloped character. Future sessions will be held before it is presented to the county commission in May 2025 for implementation later that year. More info at www.engagehernando.com.
  • Sophia Watson, former Director of the Hernando County School District’s Wilton Simpson Technical College, reports that plans to landscape the grounds of the new school with native plants are underway. This cooperative effort was proposed by Sierra Club Adventure Coast Group and the Hernando Native Plant Society. Native trees and plants have been ordered for planting in January. The original plan included new buildings for Hernando County and Pasco Hernando State College on either side of the School District site at the Brooksville airport, but that construction has been deferred. The school board’s building is ready to move into in January. A grand opening for the new school is planned for early February.

 

Get involved!  We welcome your participation to protect our wildlife and lands, and to bring clean energy to this corner of the planet. We'd be so thankful if you could volunteer just a few hours a week! There's a lot to do these days. For more info, email sierraclubadventurecoastcc@gmail.com or call 352 277-3330.