Protect Florida's Springs!

State Proposal Threatens Our Manatees At Blue Spring

Florida's St. Johns River Water Management District is proposing minimum flow levels for Blue Spring, the winter home of many of our manatee adoptees. Their proposal allows a 35% reduction in the warm water refuge area available for manatees and allows the spring flow to be reduced by 20% to accommodate future demands for water as development increases in the region. The very future of Blue Spring as a winter refuge for manatees is on the line. And we're talking about the future health of our adoptees, including Whiskers, Howie, Floyd, Nick, and Dana. If Blue Spring fails to provide enough warm water for wintering manatees, where will our manatees go?

Please help us protect Blue Spring and all the manatees who winter there by endorsing the position letter provided here. By adding your information below, you will be sending the following letter to Florida Governor Jeb Bush urging him to direct the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) to take the lead on establishing minimum flows for all springs located within state parks in Florida. The FDEP has historically objected to allowing additional reduction in spring flow at Blue Spring, citing its conflict with their ability to protect the state park, in addition to concerns about impacts to manatees' use of the warm water refuge. A copy of the letter will also be sent to FDEP Secretary Colleen Castille. Thank you very much for your help!

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Dear Governor Bush,

I am writing to request that you direct the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) to establish minimum flows, as authorized under Chapter 373.042 Florida Statutes, for all springs that are located within state parks, are first order magnitude springs, or provide unique non-consumptive resource values such as a manatee warm water refuge - so that no further diminishment in spring flow occurs at these springs.

The state of Florida has wisely recognized the priceless treasure springs represent, and I commend you for supporting the Springs Initiative and Springs Task Force. One task identified by the task force, and provided for in Chapter 373.042 Florida Statutes, is preventing further impacts to springs by establishing minimum flows. The statute wisely provides dual authority to establish minimum flows to either the FDEP or the state's Water Management Districts (WMD). The statute also recognizes that springs frequently contain unique and special "nonconsumptive" resource values to the people of Florida that should be protected. As a testament to the value of these springs, the 12 state parks named for the springs within their boundaries draw more than 2 million visitors per year. The Florida Springs Task force economic analysis in 2003 showed that Blue Spring State Park alone contributes 10 million dollars to the economy annually. The protection and management of these parks is the responsibility of FDEP.

Thus far, the WMD's have taken the lead on establishment of minimum flows. However, their mission prioritizes human consumptive water uses, not protection of nonconsumptive values. An example of the problem is reflected in the current proposal by the St. Johns River WMD to establish a minimum flow for Blue Spring in Volusia County that would allow an additional 17% reduction in flow to the spring over the reduction that has already occurred from historic flow. The FDEP has historically objected to allowing additional reduction in spring flow at Blue Spring, citing its conflict with their ability to protect the state park, in addition to concerns about impacts to manatees' use of the warm water refuge.

Please continue your support for Florida's springs and direct FDEP to take the lead on minimum flows for all springs located within state parks, all first order magnitude springs, and all springs that provide unique non-consumptive resource values, such as a manatee warm water refuge - so that no additional reduction in spring flows will be permitted. Doing so will help ensure that manatees' natural warm water refuges are fully protected and that Florida's beautiful springs are not squandered through consumptive use permits to support more development that is reliant on groundwater.

Thank you for supporting Florida's springs and the endangered Florida manatee.

Sincerely,

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