Advocates Say Florida Springs Need More Help As State Adopts Clean-up Plans

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Advocates Say Florida Springs Need More Help As State Adopts Clean-up Plans

By By Amy Green/WMFE

Published June 27, 2018 at 7:55 AM EDT

Advocates are raising concerns about state plans for cleaning up Florida鈥檚 ailing springs.

Environmental advocates say the plans for addressing nutrient pollution in 24 Florida springs are incomplete, overly optimistic and ignore the 2016 legislation calling for the action.

Bob Knight of the Florida Springs Institute says the plans are based on one underway in the Sante Fe River, which has not been successful.

鈥淭hey鈥檙e not going to make any difference. They鈥檙e not going to put a dent in the problem even in 20 years. the money is not there. The will power is not there to do what actually needs to be done.鈥�

Among the springs targeted are the Blue, DeLeon, Gemini, Rock and Wekiwa in central Florida. Drew Bartlett of the state Department of Environmental Protection describes the plans as pivotal in the springs鈥� clean-up.

鈥淭his is implementing the Springs and Aquifer Protection Act that was passed two years ago, and it has more tools for remediation of septic systems, for wastewater treatment plants.鈥�