DEP HOSTS FIRST MEETING TO DEVELOP RESTORATION PLAN FOR VOLUSIA BLUE SPRING AND RUN

Florida DEP Banner

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Aug. 21, 2014

CONTACT: DEP Press Office, 850.245.2112, DEPNews@dep.state.fl.us

DEP HOSTS FIRST MEETING TO DEVELOP RESTORATION PLAN FOR VOLUSIA BLUE SPRING AND RUN  

~Department hosts meeting to develop water quality restoration projects for Volusia Blue basin~

DELAND – The Florida Department of Environmental Protection invites local governments, scientists, environmentalists, agricultural producers and other interested parties to a restoration plan development workshop for Volusia Blue Spring and Run.

WHAT:       First Meeting to Discuss Restoration Plan for Volusia Blue Spring

                  and Run

WHEN:      Tuesday, Aug. 26

                  10 a.m. – noon

WHERE:    Volusia County Extension Office

                  3100 New York Avenue

                  DeLand, Florida  32724

“The water quality in the Volusia Blue spring system has an excess amount of nutrients, specifically nitrate,” said Tom Frick, director of the Division of Environmental Assessment and Restoration. “DEP is developing an effective, long-term restoration plan to reduce nutrient pollution in the springshed and return this valuable waterbody to health.”

Nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus are naturally present in surface waters and are necessary for the plants and animals living there. But when excess levels of nutrients cause an imbalance in the ecosystem, which is the case in many springs across Florida, algal mats and other problems for aquatic life result.

At this first meeting, DEP representatives will discuss the scientifically derived restoration goal that has been adopted for Volusia Blue Spring and Run, called a TMDL or total maximum daily load. The TMDL identifies the maximum amount of pollutants that may be present in the water body for the basin to be considered healthy and functional. The TMDL acts as the foundation for the restoration plan. DEP officials will also elaborate on the restoration plan development process and the approach that will be utilized to meet the TMDL.

Volusia Blue is the largest first-magnitude spring on the St. Johns River. The spring is part of Blue Spring State Park, which hosts nearly 250,000 visitors each year who come to swim, kayak, dive, fish and watch the manatees.