FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 3, 2016
DEP AND
PARTNERS CELEBRATE NEW
SPRING-TO-SPRING TRAIL SEGMENT AND
WATER FACILITY UPGRADES AT
BLUE SPRING STATE PARK
~Recreational and
water-quality projects benefit Blue Spring and St. Johns River~
Orange City, Fla. – Today, the Florida
Department of Environmental Protection joined the St. Johns River Water Management District, Volusia
County Council representatives and local community leaders at Blue Spring
State Park to
open
a new segment
of the Spring-to-Spring Trail
and to celebrate local
water facility upgrades that will directly benefit Blue Spring.
The new 2.1-mile Spring-to-Spring Trail segment at Blue Spring
State Park is part of the planned 26-mile multi-use trail stretching from Gemini
Springs Park to DeLeon Springs State Park. The trail is designed to accommodate
walkers, joggers, inline skaters, bicyclists and people with disabilities. To
date, Volusia County has completed several segments of the trail
totaling more than 15 miles.
Also being celebrated at Blue Spring State Park
today is Volusia County's advanced wastewater treatment and reuse upgrades
at the Southwest Regional Water Reclamation Facility.
"Florida is home to one of the largest concentrations of
freshwater springs in the world," said Tom Frick, director of DEP’s Division of Environmental
Assessment and Restoration. "We are pleased to work with Volusia County to
help restore and protect these natural treasures. The new segment to the Spring-to-Spring Trail will allow residents
and visitors to access and enjoy the recreational opportunities of Florida’s state
parks and enjoy the springs we are working so hard to protect."
DEP awarded the St.
Johns River Water Management District more than $3.4 million
in funding in fiscal year 2015-16 for treatment process and technology upgrades
at the Southwest Regional Water Reclamation Facility. The facility’s $12.7 million project will redirect wastewater from the
decommissioned Four Towns Treatment Plant to the upgraded reclamation
facility, which will improve the level of wastewater treatment and produce
220,000 gallons of reclaimed water per day. The improved wastewater
treatment will result in significant nutrient reduction, benefiting the
Blue Spring springshed and the St. Johns River.
“This project demonstrates how the St. Johns River Water Management District, Florida Department of Environmental Protection, West Volusia Water Suppliers and Volusia County are working together to protect Blue Spring,” said St. Johns River Water Management District Executive Director Dr. Ann Shortelle. “This project has far-reaching benefits for both the water quality and quantity of Volusia Blue Spring and is another great example of district, state and local government partners working together toward the common goal of springs protection.”
"We are excited to celebrate these two milestones at Blue
Spring State Park," said Jim Dinneen, Volusia County
manager. "Whether it's a new trail, water-quality enhancements or other improvement projects, we are
constantly striving to make Volusia County an even better place to
live, work and play."
Under Governor Scott’s leadership, a record $135 million has
been provided for springs restoration statewide. Additionally, the recently
signed Legacy Florida Bill provides up to $50 million in recurring funding for
restoring and protecting our springs. The commitment to this
level of funding for springs projects will significantly reduce nutrient
loadings and substantially reduce groundwater use in the state’s springsheds.
| 
