Florida Springs Task Force

Developing Strategies to Protect Florida's Springs

In 1999, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) inaugurated the Florida Springs Protection Initiative to help protect and restore the state's six hundred springs. This included the formation of a multi-agency Florida Springs Task Force (FSTF) to provide recommended strategies for the protection and restoration of Florida's springs.

The FSTF's principal goals are to determine the current status of Florida's springs and to develop strategies for their long-term protection. To achieve these goals, the FSTF produced in November 2000 the Florida's Springs Task Force Report "Strategies for Protection and Restoration". This report outlines steps for protecting and restoring the springs and the underground aquifer through on-going scientific research, biological and water quality monitoring, regulation and management, education and outreach, and landowner assistance and land acquisition projects.

The FSTF is part of a comprehensive springs protection effort supported by $5 million in State funding established by the Governor and supported by the Florida Legislature.

Florida Springs Task Force Members
 

Connie Bersok, Administrator
Florida Springs Initiative
Florida Department of Environmental Protection

Dana Bryan
Division of Recreation and Parks

Kent Smith
Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

Richard Deadman
Department of Community Affairs

Charles Justice
North Central Florida Regional Planning Council

Gary Maidhof
Citrus County Commission

Tom Pratt
Northwest Florida Water Management District

Kirk Webster
Suwannee River Water Management District

Doug Munch
St Johns River Water Management District

Dave DeWitt
Southwest Florida Water Management District

Hal Davis
U.S. Geological Survey

Jon Martin
University of Florida, Geology Department

Sam Upchurch
SDII Global Corporation

Meg Andronaco
Perrier Group Inc.

Wes Skiles
National Speleological Society

Jim Stevenson
Citizen

Chuck Edwards
Agriculture/Edwards Poultry Farm

Doug Shaw
The Nature Conservancy

Peggy Mathews
Environmental/Governmental Relations Consultant

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