RESOLUTION 2012A RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE PROTECTION OF OUR AREA’S
GROUND AND SURFACE WATER; REQUESTING AN ANNUAL REPORT
DETAILING THE WATER QUALITY IN THE SANTA FE RIVER AND
SPRINGS INCLUDING AN EXPLICIT SCHEDULE FOR RETURNING
NITRATE CONCENTRATINS TO PRE-1984 LEVELS; REQUESTING A
MORATORIUM ON THE ISSUANCE OF NEW GROUNDWATER
CONSUMPTIVE USE PERMITS UNTIL MINIMUM FLOWS AND LEVELS
HAVE BEEN ESTABLISHED; PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE
WHEREAS, water levels in the Floridan Aquifer throughout North-Central Florida have been decreasing
due to droughts and groundwater pumping; and
WHEREAS, groundwater flow to the Santa Fe River springs, including Hornsby and Poe Springs, has
diminished so much that the spring vents now regularly siphon tannic surface waters into the Floridan
aquifer during dry periods; and
WHEREAS, the groundwater feeding these springs has elevated nitrate nitrogen concentrations resulting
from intensive land use practices including agricultural and urban fertilizer use and animal and human
wastewater disposal practices; and
WHEREAS, Hornsby and Poe Springs and the entire Santa Fe River are essential to the economy of
High Springs and Alachua County attracting citizens and visitors from around the world to these
important recreation sites; and
WHEREAS, abundant and clean groundwater and spring flows are critical to the citizens of High Springs
and Alachua County; and
WHEREAS, the citizens of High Springs and Alachua County will be harmed by further diminished
groundwater levels and spring flows and impaired water quality; and
WHEREAS, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection has the authority and responsibility to
protect and insure the highest level of water quality in the Santa Fe River and its springs which are
designated as Outstanding Florida Waters; and
WHEREAS, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection has established a Total Maximum
Daily Load for nitrate nitrogen in the Santa Fe River, but the adopted Basin Management Action Plan
does not provide for timely recovery of water quality in the Santa Fe River and its springs which are
designated as Outstanding Florida Waters; and
WHEREAS, the Suwannee River Water Management District has the authority and responsibility to
protect ground and surface water resources and to insure adequate flows in springs and rivers; and
WHEREAS, the Suwannee River Water Management District has not established minimum flows and
levels for these waterbodies as required by chapter 373, Florida Statutes; and
WHEREAS, groundwater levels, spring flows, and water quality will continue to be diminished as a
consequence of the State’s failure to establish protective Minimum Flows and Levels and to require
timely implementation of improved nitrogen management actions for the Santa Fe River and springs; and
WHEREAS, it is the position of the High Springs City Commission that a healthy Santa Fe River and
Spring System is critical for a healthy local environment, and a failure by the state’s water management
and water quality agencies to protect these natural resources will cause substantial and irrevocable harm
to the economy of High Springs and Alachua County;
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HIGH SPRINGS CITY COMMISSION THAT:
SECTION ONE: The City Commission requests Rick Scott, Governor of the State of Florida, to direct
the leadership of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection and the Suwannee River Water
Management District to fully and expeditiously protect our area’s ground and surface water resources
using the full authority and requirements of Florida law.
SECTION TWO; The Secretary of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection be required to
issue an annual report detailing the water quality in the Santa Fe River and Springs with an analysis of
trends in nitrate nitrogen concentrations and an explicit schedule for returning nitrate concentrations to
pre-1984 levels as required by the Outstanding Florida Waters designation.
SECTION THREE: The Governing Board of the Suwannee River Water Management District be
requested to place a moratorium on the issuance of any new groundwater consumptive use permits within
the surface and groundwater basins feeding the Santa Fe River until Minimum Flows and Levels for the
Santa Fe River and Springs have been established.
SECTION FOUR: This Resolution shall become effective upon passage.
PASSED by the High Springs City Commission on this 28th day of June, 2012.
CITY OF HIGH SPRINGS, FLORIDA
ATTEST:
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Jenny L. Parham, City Clerk
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Dean Davis, Mayor
(Seal)