The Florida Springs Initiative and Cave Resource Management Politics, Public Relations and Funding

Increasing nutrients in spring 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 Approach Geology, Biology, Chemistry, Ecology, Economic, Political, etc. Must be Implementable Cost??

Lets Get to Work!