Post by L Roebuck on Aug 7, 2006 12:55:29 GMT -5
Eau de flow
New hope for Wakulla Springs
Like the old advertising catchphrase for Sara Lee frozen pastries, nobody doesn't like Wakulla Springs.
Everyone's affection notwithstanding, Wakulla Springs for years has been like an aging patient whose condition is worsening, despite several efforts to help
Now there's renewed hope that its health can begin to be restored.
On Friday, Tallahassee officials announced they would change their permit application for the city's wastewater spray field, which is suspected by environmentalists and scientists as a primary culprit in the decline of the springs.
A steady overdose of nitrogen has resulted in an epidemic of weeds and algae.
A 2002 report identified the spray field - known as the Southeast Farm and located northeast of the springs off Tram Road - as the most significant source of increased nitrogen. That galvanized activists and has put Tallahassee on the defensive, despite the fact that the spray field has won international recognition in the field of wastewater recycling.
'We can do better'
Up to 20 million gallons of recycled effluent is sprayed on Southeast Farm crops every day. The nutrient-rich effluent winds its through several feet of sand, then into the Floridan Aquifer, then into a network of subterranean caves toward Wakulla Springs.
The city had sought the state's renewal of its operating permit, but faced legal challenges from Wakulla County, the Florida Wildlife Federation and Wakulla County resident Joe Glisson. Attorney General Charlie Crist joined the challenge.
Meanwhile, the city - which has reduced its nitrogen load in the past several years by 65 percent - conducted tests to determine the extent of the connection between spray-field effluent and pollution at Wakulla Springs. Preliminary findings prompted the city's announcement that it would revise its permit application to the Florida Department of Environment Protection.
"We have consistently said that we will follow good science, and today we are here to tell you we meant it," Mayor John Marks said. "The science we have reviewed up to this point leads us to believe we can do better. And as such, we will do better."
There remains more to learn and much to be done. From both environmental and financial perspectives, we hope that all parties involved now can figure out how to combine efforts to save the springs instead of fighting with each other.
If truly nobody doesn't like Wakulla Springs, then everyone involved in restoring it to good health must rely on sound science to find common ground. Then, united, they can vigorously pursue the multimillions of dollars that will be required to reverse its decline.
Article: www.tallahassee.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060807/OPINION01/608070303/1021
New hope for Wakulla Springs
Like the old advertising catchphrase for Sara Lee frozen pastries, nobody doesn't like Wakulla Springs.
Everyone's affection notwithstanding, Wakulla Springs for years has been like an aging patient whose condition is worsening, despite several efforts to help
Now there's renewed hope that its health can begin to be restored.
On Friday, Tallahassee officials announced they would change their permit application for the city's wastewater spray field, which is suspected by environmentalists and scientists as a primary culprit in the decline of the springs.
A steady overdose of nitrogen has resulted in an epidemic of weeds and algae.
A 2002 report identified the spray field - known as the Southeast Farm and located northeast of the springs off Tram Road - as the most significant source of increased nitrogen. That galvanized activists and has put Tallahassee on the defensive, despite the fact that the spray field has won international recognition in the field of wastewater recycling.
'We can do better'
Up to 20 million gallons of recycled effluent is sprayed on Southeast Farm crops every day. The nutrient-rich effluent winds its through several feet of sand, then into the Floridan Aquifer, then into a network of subterranean caves toward Wakulla Springs.
The city had sought the state's renewal of its operating permit, but faced legal challenges from Wakulla County, the Florida Wildlife Federation and Wakulla County resident Joe Glisson. Attorney General Charlie Crist joined the challenge.
Meanwhile, the city - which has reduced its nitrogen load in the past several years by 65 percent - conducted tests to determine the extent of the connection between spray-field effluent and pollution at Wakulla Springs. Preliminary findings prompted the city's announcement that it would revise its permit application to the Florida Department of Environment Protection.
"We have consistently said that we will follow good science, and today we are here to tell you we meant it," Mayor John Marks said. "The science we have reviewed up to this point leads us to believe we can do better. And as such, we will do better."
There remains more to learn and much to be done. From both environmental and financial perspectives, we hope that all parties involved now can figure out how to combine efforts to save the springs instead of fighting with each other.
If truly nobody doesn't like Wakulla Springs, then everyone involved in restoring it to good health must rely on sound science to find common ground. Then, united, they can vigorously pursue the multimillions of dollars that will be required to reverse its decline.
Article: www.tallahassee.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060807/OPINION01/608070303/1021