The Florida Springs Initiative and
Cave Resource Management
Politics, Public Relations and Funding
• Increasing nutrients in spring
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water causing changes in spring
and spring run ecology.
Increasing algae growth.
Increases in invasive plants like
Hydrilla.
• Declining native populations of
organisms – limpkins, apple snails
and other aquatic species.
The Florida Springs Initiative
• Political climate is right for spring
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protection.
Secretary David Struhs directed the
formation of the Florida Springs Task
Force based on noticeable declines in
spring water quality and quantity.
1999 – 2000 the Task Force met and
produced the Florida’s Springs
Strategies for Protection and
Restoration.
Supported by the Governor.
Funding provided by the Florida
Legislature at 2.5 million per year
through the Florida Department of
Environmental Protection.
Cave Management is Part of the Florida Springs Initiative
• Springs emerge from
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cave systems
Management of the
System is needed for
Health of the Spring
Primary Concern is the
Water Quality/Quantity
Conduit System (Where
they are Located)
Springshed
What is the Initiative Doing???
• The Initiative is Administered
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by DEP through Several
Divisions
Research and Monitoring
Portion
Landowner Assistance
Public Education and Outreach
Restoration
Modeled after the Florida
Springs Task Force Report
Research and Monitoring
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Limpkin Survey
Spring Fauna Inventory
Biological Monitoring
Apple Snail Survey
Water Quality Monitoring
(quarterly at 1st magnitude
springs)
• Discharge
• Water Age Dating
• Economic Survey
• Carrying Capacity of Silver
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Glen Springs.
Fanning Spring Nitrate Study.
Springshed Delineation.
Spring Ownership Map.
Spring Vulnerability Mapping.
Spring Inventory.
Effects of Nitrate on Fauna.
Education and Public Outreach
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Bulletin 31 Revision
Water’s Journey Video
County Commission Video
Springs Initiative Video
Spring Website:
www.floridasprings.org
Homeowner Lawn Care
Booklet
Lawn Care Provider Brochure
Spring Working Groups
Spring Basin Signs
Spring Conference
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Spring Basin Brochures
Local Government Workshops
BMP Manuals
Spring Posters
Underwater Photographs
Spring Recharge Area Planning
Reports
• State Fair Exhibits
Landowner Assistance
• Lafayette Blue Restroom Drain
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field Relocation
Nutrient Reduction in the SRWMD.
Ichetucknee recharge Area
Protection
Jackson Blue Recharge Area
Mobile Irrigation Lab
Rainbow Spring – Golf Course
BMP’s
Sinkhole and Karst Feature
Mapping in Wakulla Spring
Recharge Area.
Sinkhole Clean-up Program
Restoration
• Troy Spring Erosion Control
• Fanning Spring Restoration
• Ichetucknee Headspring
Restoration
Land Acquisition
• The Florida Springs Initiative
Does NOT Fund Land
Purchases
• Land Purchasing is Done
Through Florida Forever (DEP
Division of State Lands)
• Initiative DOES Submit
Boundary Amendments for the
Purchase of Land in
Springsheds.
• Ichetucknee Trace: Two
Limestone Mines, Rose Sink,
and Ichetucknee Sink.
• Wakulla Springs Protection
Zone: 3800 Acres from St. Joe,
3300 Acres from Nemours
Foundation, and 26 Acres at
Kirtons Corner.
Using the Springs Initiative as a Model for Cave Resource
Management – Our Tasks:
• Define and illustrate the socio-economic benefits of
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caves to Florida – focus on real world examples.
What are the politics surrounding cave management –
how do we overcome political obstacles and identify
funding sources?
What is the role of State and local government?
How to improve land-owner relations?
What is the relationship between water resources and
ecological management?
Define an ideal cave study to implement new ideas in
this field.
Socio-economic Benefits
• Tourism Dollars
• Drinking Water Quality
• Wildlife – Unique Ecosystems
with Endangered Species
Politics of Protection and Funding Sources
• How do We Influence the
Political Policy Makers?
• Political Obstacles???
• Where Can the Money Come
From?
Role of State and Local Government?
• Land Acquisition and Management
• Funding Sources
• Regulators
Improving Land Owner Relations
• More Education
• Including the Public in the
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Decision Making Process
Monetary Assistance
Communication
Water Resources and Ecological Management
• The Ecology Declines when the
Water Resource is Degraded
• Need to Consider the Entire
Ecosystem – Cave Systems are
Complicated
• Need Further Study
Ideal Cave Study
• Must be Multi-disciplinary in its
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Approach
Geology, Biology, Chemistry,
Ecology, Economic, Political, etc.
Must be Implementable
Cost??
Lets Get to Work!