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

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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.

9. Education and Public Outreach
Bulletin 31 Revision
Water’s Journey Video
County Commission Video
Springs Initiative Video
Spring Website:
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

10. 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

11. Restoration Troy Spring Erosion Control Fanning Spring Restoration
Ichetucknee Headspring Restoration

12. 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.

13. 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.

14. Socio-economic Benefits
Tourism Dollars
Drinking Water Quality
Wildlife – Unique Ecosystems with Endangered Species

15. Politics of Protection and Funding Sources
How do We Influence the Political Policy Makers?
Political Obstacles???
Where Can the Money Come From?

16. Role of State and Local Government?
Land Acquisition and Management
Funding Sources
Regulators

17. Improving Land Owner Relations
More Education
Including the Public in the Decision Making Process
Monetary Assistance
Communication

18. 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

19. Ideal Cave Study Must be Multi-disciplinary in its Approach
Geology, Biology, Chemistry, Ecology, Economic, Political, etc.
Must be Implementable
Cost??

20. Lets Get to Work!