Bob Knight Article in the Gainesville Sun

Bob Knight's article in the 10/10/2010 Gainesville Sun really demonstrates how interconnected all of the water users are here in Florida and highlights some great springs related events. Read it HERE.

Shifting currents in debate over water rules

By Fred Hiers, Staff writer
Gainesville Sun
April 17, 2010

Robert Knight: Florida 'springs time'

By Robert Knight
Gainesville Sun
April 11, 2010

Robert Knight: Going with the flow?

Going with the flow?
by Robert Knight

published in the Gainesville Sun, October 18, 2009

Sinkholes appear in High Springs

The day the earth opened: Giant sinkholes appear in High Springs
By Rachael Anne Ryals
Herald Staff Writer

Published in High Springs Herald, October 12, 2009

Commercial Harvesting of Freshwater Turtles Banned

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission passed a ban of commercial harvesting of all freshwater turtles in Florida.

FWC Press Release

High Springs Herald article

St. Petersburg Times article

Public Has Access to Submerged Lands of Springs

SUMMARY

PREEMPTION ISSUES WE INVESTIGATED DUE TO PUBLIC CONCERNS:
• Park management verbally telling canoers/kayakers that they could not paddle into spring & spring run and would have to pay admission fee to swim
• 2 posted signs along the spring run that caused confusion – leading river users to believe the spring and spring run were private (“DESIGNATED SWIMMING AREA – NO BOATS BEYOND THIS POINT” + “POE SPRINGS PARK – ENTRANCE FEE - $5.00 PER PERSON”)
Both issues bulleted above can qualify as “unauthorized preemption” of SSL (Sovereign Submerged Lands)

RESULTS:
• Division of State Lands confirmed “THE STATE HOLDS TITLE TO THE SUBMERGED LANDS OF POE SPRING, POE SPRING RUN AND THE SANTA FE RIVER AT THIS SITE”
• Alachua County & Nature Quest was informed of the title determination – both agreed not to limit/manage/control public access to Poe Spring and the spring run
• County removed both signs from the spring run (signs had been put up prior to Nature Quest management) – I (DEP) visited site this morning and confirmed removal
• Informed county that they could not deposit “new sand” or “other fill” w/in 100’ of the spring & spring run to maintain the present man-made beach area

ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS:
1. Yes, the waters in the spring and spring run are for the public’s use and cannot be managed by another party without authorization
2. Yes, any lands “waterward” of the “ordinary high” along the Santa Fe River, the spring run, and the spring itself is SSL for public use (lawful) and cannot be managed by another party without authorization
3. Yes, the land submerged (bottom) in the spring and spring run is SSL for public use – public can “walk” up the spring run
4. Yes, the public has the right to park on the Santa Fe River bank (staying in water) & wade/walk or swim up into the spring run and spring. Yes, the public can paddle up into the spring run and spring.
5. SEE DISCUSSION BELOW

DISCUSSION:
At different times the fixed ordinary high water line can fall below water levels (i.e. floods) or can be above water levels on dry bank (i.e. drought) – a good rule of thumb is for the public to stay in the water column with their vessel and feet – along the mostly level river, spring bottom. Walking along the exposed sloping banks of rivers and springs contribute to bank erosion and potentially gets the user into an issue with the surrounding property owner. We ask the public to respect private property and use care when paddling into springs with swimmers/divers/children present. Alachua Co and Nature Quest stated that they will approach individuals for admissions if they walk above the top of the bank – i.e. to use the restroom or picnic facilities. They understand that paddlers will be along the banks when exiting their vessels to go for a swim.
Hope this helps - call if any questions,

Carmine Oliverio
Florida Department of Environmental Protection
Northeast District - Live Oak Field Office
Submerged Lands / Environmental Resources Permitting - Compliance & Enforcement
(386) 362-0417


This information was provided in response to the questions raised in the following article:
High Springs Article

FWC Closer To Enacting Rule For Freshwater Turtles

Florida moved toward adopting strong conservation measures for the harvest of freshwater turtles at the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s meeting in Tallahasee

Foster Folly News: A Washington County Florida Community Newsletter
April 15th, 2009

Full article

Here comes the flooding

By Rachael Anne Ryals
High Springs Herald
April 16, 2009

As of Wednesday, April 15, the Santa Fe River was projected to crest sometime over the weekend. The projected crest level is far lower than the projections of last week, which put the river cresting closer to its historic levels.

Full article

Robert Knight: Now is the time to save Florida's springs

Springs protection is not just about protecting fish and wildlife habitat and popular crystal clear swimming holes from overgrowth by filamentous algae - it is mostly about protecting our underground aquifer.
Robert Knight, Wetland Solutions, Inc.
Gainesville Sun
April 12, 2009
Full Text

Cleaning up the Santa Fe River

Roughly 3,500 pounds of trash was collected from the Santa Fe River and the adjacent floodplain by 172 people who signed up to help clean the area Saturday, March 7.

See the full article at:
http://www.highspringsherald.com/articles/2009/03/20/news/news20.txt

Harvesting freshwater turtles is seen on Santa Fe River, across state

By Rachael Anne Ryals
February 26, 2009
High Springs Herald
http://www.highspringsherald.com/articles/2009/02/06/news/news11.txt

Poe Springs park to go under new management

By Cindy Swirko
November 26, 2008
Gainesville Sun
http://www.gainesville.com/article/20081126/NEWS/811261007/0/news