FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Feb. 13, 2015
RULING
ADVANCES
RESTORATION OF THE LOWER SANTA FE AND ICHETUCKNEE RIVERS AND 16 ASSOCIATED
SPRINGS
TALLAHASSEE - Today, Administrative Law
Judge Bram Cantor issued a ruling upholding the validity of the Florida
Department of Environmental Protection’s proposed rules setting limits to
protect and restore water flows in the Lower Santa
Fe River, Ichetucknee River and associated priority springs.
This action sets critical Minimum
Flows and Levels (MFLs) establishing expectations for water flows that
support indigenous wildlife and recreational opportunities in the two rivers and the largest 16 springs which feed
them. These MFLs determine the amount of water that can be removed from
the natural system without causing significant harm to the resources and
ecology and establish limits for both the Suwannee and St. Johns River Water Management
Districts of how much water is available for water-use permitting.
“We are extremely pleased with the ruling, and look forward to
continuing to work with the Suwannee River and St. Johns River Water Management
Districts and our local partners to implement strategies for restoration and
protection of these critical
north Florida resources,” said Deputy
Secretary for Ecosystem Restoration Drew Bartlett. “The MFLs will set protective levels for the health of the Lower Santa Fe River, Ichetucknee River and
associated priority springs."
“This is a historic ruling,” said Don Quincey, Suwannee River
Water Management District Chair. “This is the first time in the state’s history
that cross-boundary MFLs are being established which is a pivotal step forward
to achieve recovery for these water bodies.”
These MFLs complement the nutrient-reduction goals recently
established by the department, which form the foundation to restore the quality of the
springs’ water currently impaired by excess nitrates. These provide the basis
for restoration projects that will help reduce nutrient levels in the springs
so that undesirable algal blooms and algal mats will no longer harm the springs
systems.
Together, these two key regulatory milestones pave the way to
restoration of the Santa Fe and Ichetucknee Rivers
and associated springs.
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