DEP HOSTS SILVER SPRINGS RESTORATION PLAN WORKSHOP

Florida DEP Banner

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Sept. 15, 2014

CONTACT: DEP Press Office, 850-245-2112, DEPNews@dep.state.fl.us

DEP HOSTS SILVER SPRINGS RESTORATION PLAN WORKSHOP

~Department to review potential programs and projects to improve water quality in Silver Springs ~

OCALA – The Florida Department of Environmental Protection invites local governments, scientists, environmentalists, agricultural producers and other interested parties to a restoration plan development workshop for the Silver Springs Group and Silver River.

WHAT:      Silver Springs Basin Management Action Plan (BMAP) Meeting

WHEN:      Thursday, Sept. 18  

                  9 – 11:45 a.m.

WHERE:    Marion County Growth Services,  Training and Meeting Room

                  2710 East Silver Springs Boulevard

                  Ocala, FL 34470

“Silver Springs is an iconic natural resource and a priority for DEP’s water restoration program,” said Tom Frick, director of the Division of Environmental Assessment and Restoration. “The department is dedicated to achieving real water quality results by working alongside stakeholders to craft an effective restoration plan.”

At this meeting, DEP representatives will discuss the nitrogen source loading inventory tool (NSLIT) as it applies to Silver Springs. The NSLIT is an analytical tool that utilizes the best available data from a variety of sources to identify and quantify pollutant sources. DEP officials will also discuss projects to be implemented in the basin, including wastewater treatment upgrades and stormwater retrofit projects, and how to measure the water quality benefits of these projects. The water quality monitoring that will be performed as part of this restoration plan will also be discussed. 

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, changes have been observed and measured in the Silver Springs hydrological system. The dominant change in the water chemistry has been an increase in nutrient pollution, but there is also concern about a possible decrease in water clarity.

Meeting information is available here.