The following was written by OSFR president Joanne Tremblay. Not only are our major springs threatened by over-pumping and excess nutrients allowed by our state agencies, now over-use by water lovers is becoming a problem. Restrictions on use may be the best remedy, but access would be limited.
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
I watched as clumps of shredded grass float by. A long, exposed streak of bare white sand shines up from the waving grasses. The trees along the edge of the river stand with roots exposed, defying gravity, the sands washed off their elaborately woven foot-hold. These are the stresses that bring down trees, and decimate aquatic grasses.
It had been just a few years since the park had implemented regulations to reduce human impact and the changes to the flora and fauna were noticeable. Eelgrass and fish rebounded in the protected area.
Florida Fish and Wildlife introduced a Springs Protection Zone (SPZ) program to prevent damage to 1st Magnitude Springs. The designation is not automatic, several criteria have to be met in order to stop the degradation to the shore and vegetative life that are sustained in these wonderful spring runs. Only two springs have applied and received the new status and the process is still being developed.
The application to apply SPZ protection to the Lower Ichetucknee has been submitted to the FWC but the request has been turned down for ‘lack of evidence.’ Images of jet-skis and large motor boats are not sufficient, nor are reports of personal injury. What is required is direct evidence, cause and effect, of damage to the shoreline and stream bottom.
A group of concerned citizens met recently to discuss the evidence needed to protect this spring run. It was agreed that shoreline erosion from anchoring, mooring, beaching, and grounding is our biggest concern. We need images that show direct causal damage; before and after images of damage to the spring run. We also need residents along the spring run to join us since local support is essential.
If you want to help in our efforts, please email your interest to IchetuckneeAlliance@gmail.com
