Threats to Florida springs: Excessive withdrawals, politics
The graphs put out by the water-management districts show a line depicting the level of the upper Floridan Aquifer in a constant downward angle from left to right, ever downward, indifferent to periods of rain and drought, showing us that our current water use in Florida is not sustainable. The aquifer, our drinking-water source, has saltwater below it, and not just near the coastlines, but inland also.
One day the piper must be paid, but since it won’t be in the lifetime of those currently giving away our water, they worry not.
There are occasional glimmers of hope — state Sen. Rob Bradley has introduced Senate Bill 204 requesting $75 million this session for the Land Acquisition Trust Fund.
Excessive groundwater withdrawals are only part of the problem — nutrients from agriculture and urban fertilizers, along with septic tanks, are responsible for the algae and plant growth choking our waterways. Here, again, our “protective” agencies fail to control this.
Politics also enters the issue. Some say water scientists have been fired for not following the unwritten directives from Tallahassee, which favor industry and development over water conservation. The elusive term “public interest” lately has been interpreted to mean one individual or company that needs water for personal gain, as opposed to the existence of flowing springs to be enjoyed by many people.
The public’s perception of our water managers has reached a new low. Members of the public have appeared before some water boards accusing them of incompetent research, data manipulation and intellectual dishonesty. Individuals have also called for district executive directors and board chairs to step down. A board chair has been investigated for ethics violations, and a water district has been accused of mismanaging $26 million.
Attempts to educate the authorities and explain the problems have met with failure. Some agencies pretend to address the problem, and they spend millions of the taxpayers’ money, but they have not restored a single spring. It has become sadly apparent that public input will not result in any substantial policy changes to effect recovery. The opposite continues to be perpetuated, as in recent months significantly harmful withdrawals have been authorized for three flagship Florida water resources: Silver Springs, Crystal River/Kings Bay, and the Rainbow.
The failure of reason and education has resulted in legal challenges against several water authorities. Unfortunately, this option is usually beyond the means of the average individual or even small environmental organizations without some pro bono donations from lawyers. This is where we, as individuals, can help. We can make a donation to the nonprofit of our choice, however small, to assist with litigation funds.
Apathy and inaction will only continue our downward line on the aquifer graphs.