Rob Lorie of WMNF in Tampa has done an interview with OSFR advisor Lars Andersen and Ryan Smart on Florida’s springs. Sorry, we have no video but we do have an audio which is very informative.
Lars Anderson has been a river guide on North Florida’s rivers for many years. He knows the rivers and springs and is spot on as to the current situation and health of the rivers and springs.
We can say the same about Ryan Smart, Executive Director of the Florida Springs Council, who keeps tabs on our North Florida water resources. Regarding our water problems, Smart says:
The answers are real simple: we need to reduce the amount of nitrogen going into the ground in our springshed, and we need to reduce the amount of water consumption.
Both Andersen and Smart mention agriculture as the first place to look, but point our that we are all responsible. We have pointed out many times that the people in power who can fix this are aware of the solution, but don’t act because of money, political cronyism and lobbyists. They work very hard dissimulating and trying to appear that they are solving the issue, but treat only the symptoms. Eventually they may address it when we have no more water.
Thanks to WMNF for airing this program and contributing to the public education of this extremely important issue.
Lars Andersen and Ryan Smart interview
Comments by OSFR historian Jim Tatum.
-A river is like a life: once taken, it cannot be brought back-
I have shared the link to this WMNF radio interview with about 100 people. I am VERY happy that Lars and Ryan participated in this important interview. The comments they made offer a wonderful opportunity for Floridians (and non-Floridians) to learn about the challenges being faced by the Florida springs.