PRESS
RELEASE: July 20, 2015
DEP HOSTS SILVER SPRINGS RESTORATION PLAN WORKSHOP
~Update on proposed projects and ongoing efforts to be provided ~
OCALA, Fla. –
The Florida Department of Environmental Protection is hosting a
public meeting on July 23 to discuss the water-quality restoration plan
for Silver Springs. DEP representatives will review the draft
restoration plan and provide an update of the identified nitrogen sources,
proposed water-quality restoration projects and ongoing water-quality
monitoring efforts.
“The department has been working closely with local stakeholders
to develop a restoration plan that will improve the water quality of Silver
Springs,” said Tom Frick, director of the Division of Environmental Assessment
and Restoration. “We appreciate their effort and commitment to this natural
treasure.”
Nutrient pollution, or an excess of nutrients like nitrogen and
phosphorous, is one of the greatest water-quality challenges facing many of
Florida’s spring systems. These nutrients are naturally present in the
water and necessary for the healthy growth of plant and animal life; however,
an excess of nutrients can lead to complications in the water like rapid algal growth,
habitat smothering and oxygen depletion.
Silver Springs is one of the largest and most well-known of
Florida’s first magnitude springs. The system is a historic international
tourist attraction for its naturally clear water, abundant fish and wildlife,
and famous glass-bottom boats. In the past several decades, however, nutrient
pollution has led to increased algal growth and decreased water clarity. To
address this issue and return the spring system to health, the department is
working with local stakeholders to identify and implement the
restoration projects needed to reduce nitrogen levels and improve water
quality.
As an example of these continued collaborative restoration
efforts, DEP has recently committed over $1 million to remove septic tanks
within Silver Springs State Park and replace them with municipal sewer
connections. This removal will eliminate nitrogen leaching into groundwater and
consequently into the spring system from the state park. The project is
estimated to eliminate 2,372 pounds of nitrogen annually from entering the
spring system.
The meeting
announcement, location and other information can be viewed here.
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