Save Silver Springs!

[riverkeepered]

Here's a chance to learn more about this issue by attending the Silver Springs & Florida's Imperiled Waters Forum on May 15th at the Wyndham.

Dr. Bob Knight, Director of the Florida Springs Institute, and other experts will be discussing the declining health of many of our springs and waterways and the threats to Silver Springs from the proposed cattle operation in Marion County.   

Find out more at www.iLoveSprings.org or on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/events/219443394833637/.

[riverkeepered]

Saltwater seeping into irrigation supply for farmers in St. Johns County
http://staugustine.firstcoastnews.com/news/news/77981-saltwater-seeping-irrigation-supply-farmers


Also, consider this editorial from Ocala Star-Banner:
Will the Silver Springs become all dried up?
[urlhttp://www.ocala.com/article/20120506/COLUMNISTS/120509811][/url]

Over the course of those eight decades, the average flow has measured 727 cubic feet per second (cfs). The highest measurement was in 1960, at 1,130 cfs. The lowest was, well, last month.

As Lee recited the USGS figures, he pointed out that in 2000, Silver Springs' flow rate dropped below 500 cfs for the first time. A year later, in March 2001, it fell below 400 cfs for the first time; and last month, it fell below 300 cfs for the first time.

Silver Springs Forum on Tuesday, May 15th at the Wyndham - www.iLoveSprings.org

[Timkin]

Sad stuff

[riverkeepered]

Ron Littlepage says time is running out for Florida's springs.
http://jacksonville.com/opinion/blog/400601/ron-littlepage/2012-05-18/time-running-out-floridas-springs

Not if we all get involved and do something about it.   Governor Scott has got to know that Floridians want to protect our natural resources.  http://www.flgov.com/contact-gov-scott/

Protecting our springs and water resources is absolutely critical to our economic future and quality of life.   

Unfortunately, most people are not aware of the significant pollution problems that exist and the impact we are having on our springs, lakes, rivers and aquifer from overpumping.   

[riverkeepered]

If you care about springs, watch this inspiring presentation by renowned nature photographer John Moran from the "Silver Springs and Florida's Imperiled Waters Forum."  The before and after photos of springs is startling.

John Moran
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NninVcnjII8&feature=relmfu


Also, watch Senator Bob Graham's speech from this past weekend's "Speak Up for Silver Springs" event at Silver River State Park.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ue5LK_KZWwM

Don't be fooled by all the rain.  Our water woes have not been resolved.  We still have water supply problems and nutrients are still polluting our waterways.

[riverkeepered]

This issue has received statewide attention as Senator Graham, the Florida Conservation Coalition (www.floridaconservationcoalition.org), conservation groups, and concerned citizens throughout the state have rallied around Silver Springs as a posterchild for our water problems in Florida. 

It has also received national attention in the New York Times - http://www.nytimes.com/2012/06/23/us/florida-worries-as-growth-threatens-its-freshwater-springs.html?_r=1&pagewanted=all.

Now, it is getting the attention of an international audience - http://www.canada.com/technology/Stronach+controversial+cattle+ranch+plan+moooves+toward+deadline/7083918/story.html.

If we can't save Silver Springs, then what can we save?   The bottom line is that clean water and a healthy environment are key to Florida's economic future.  We better wake up soon, as we are on the verge of destroying Florida's most precious assets.   

[acme54321]

Speaking about Silver Springs.  Are they ever going to remove Rodman Dam?

[If_I_Loved_you]

Speaking about Silver Springs.  Are they ever going to remove Rodman Dam?

No!

[mbwright]

I'm sure Scott does not care about Silver Springs.  Caring about Florida's water would impede cattle, and industrial and other business that damage our resources.  Just follow the money from Georgia Pacific, Sugar, Nestle, etc.

[Debbie Thompson]

I took my grandchildren to Silver Springs recently.  I had not been there in about 25 years.  How sad.  The formerly pristine white sand in the main springs was covered with algae.  Little bits of white peeking through.  The schools of fish that used to swim under the glass bottomed boats were gone.  We saw maybe a dozen fish the whole trip.  While you used to be able to detect the flow of water gushing from the springs by the sheer volume of it, you couldn't even tell any longer.  It understand the flow has been reduced by something like half.

We can set aside the health of the historic Silver Springs tourist attraction, first opened in the 1870's.  I hope it can make it, but with the state of the Silver River, it's iffy.  Plus, Mickey Mouse destroyed all our "Old Florida" attractions like Silver Springs, Rainbow Springs, etc.  They couldn't compete.

But the rivers themselves...they need to be saved.  I was shocked at the state of the Silver River when I saw it.  In only 25 years.

[carpnter]

A big part of the blame here belongs with the various water management districts around the state approving these withdrawals from the aquifer.