This is money allocated for our springs. Ron DeSantis is not a champion of the springs. He is continuing his predecessor’s policy of being very careful to avoid offending any industry which wants to abuse water extraction or abuse fertilizer and other pollutants to enter our groundwater.
A look at the past shows that our springs on the average have about one third less flow than in previous years, and are more polluted each year. Our water protective agencies are failing in their job and our governor knows it. Our state places more importance on money than on saving our springs.
The DEP and water management districts are not allowed to do what is necessary to restore our springs if it detracts from industry. This is a losing battle for environmentalists in Florida.
At the moment it seems our only glimmer of hope is the constitutional amendment for Florida’s Right to Clean and Healthy Water.
Comments by OSFR historian Jim Tatum.
jim.tatum@oursantaferiver.org
– A river is like a life: once taken,
it cannot be brought back © Jim Tatum
Begin forwarded message:
From: Governor’s Press Office <Governor’sPressOffice@eog.myflorida.com>
Date: December 9, 2022 at 1:03:21 PM EST
To: drdetz@aol.com
Subject: Governor Ron DeSantis Announces Nearly $75 Million Awarded to Statewide Springs Restoration Projects
Reply-To: Governor’sPressOffice@eog.myflorida.com
- $2.5 million for the Agricultural Best Management Practices Producer Cost Share Grant Program to benefit Jackson Blue and the Chipola River Springs. This funding will enable the district to continue its agricultural cost-share program, expanding to the Chipola groundwater contribution area and including the Jackson Basin Management Action Plan springs area. This project will assist approximately 50 producers with retrofits and precision agricultural equipment to restore and protect springs.
“With the expansion of our cost-share program, producers in northwest Florida are able to further meet stewardship goals to help protect and preserve our springs,” said Lyle Seigler, Executive Director of the Northwest Florida Water Management District. “The continued support from Gov. DeSantis and DEP shows protecting our precious natural resources remains a priority throughout the state.”Southwest Florida Water Management District:
- $10 million for the South Highlands Septic to Sewer Project Design to benefit the Chassahowitzka-Homosassa springs basin. This project is for the permitting and construction of a sanitary sewer collection system which will remove from service a minimum of 69 residential septic tanks existing in the City of Inverness south service area. Connection fees are included in the funding request. This project is Phase 1 of 5.
“Our springs are an incredible natural resource that we are committed to protecting,” said Brian Armstrong, Southwest Florida Water Management District Executive Director. “Working together with the Governor, DEP, and our local government partners, we are making a difference in the water quality of our springs by taking septic tanks offline, which are contributing significant nitrogen pollution to the spring systems.”St. Johns River Water Management District
- $894,500 for the Orange City Volusia Blue Spring Septic-to-Sewer Program to benefit Volusia Blue Spring. The project includes building two lift stations with collection systems and connecting 27 septic tanks in the springshed and Priority Focus Area of Volusia Blue Spring. This project provides water quality and water supply benefits.
“Springs are one of Florida’s greatest resources, and in addition to being essential to our environment, springs provide world class recreational opportunities to our residents and visitors,” said St. Johns River Water Management District Executive Director Mike Register. “We appreciate the support of Gov. DeSantis, along with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, for their continued focus on providing critical funding to protect our springs and water resources.”Suwannee River Water Management District
- $800,000 for the High Springs rock mine acquisition to benefit Hornsby Spring springshed. The 316.97-acre property lies just over two miles east of the Hornsby Spring spring pool. Approximately 142 acres of open water lakes have been created by the mining operation which began in the 1950s. These lakes are between 30 to 50 feet deep and intersect the Floridan Aquifer. Acquisition of this property will eliminate ongoing impacts from mining and prevent the potential impacts from development.
“As a great place to live and do business, Florida continues to see tremendous growth,” said Hugh Thomas, Suwannee River Water Management District Executive Director. “With that growth comes the need to identify innovative ways to allow for growth while also protecting our natural resources. Funding for projects like these is beneficial to ensuring the preservation of our local springs for generations to come.”Since 2019, under the leadership of Governor DeSantis, Florida has invested $275 million to protect Florida’s iconic springs. This investment supports 118 projects with an estimated more than 599,135 pounds of Total Nitrogen (TN) reductions, per year. The projects announced today will provide an additional estimated 243,000 lbs/yr TN reduction.Lists of the recent spring’s protection projects and projects funded in previous years can be found here.###
