Findings of investigation:
Santa Fe River– between HWY 441 bridge in High Springs and HWY 47 south of Fort White: (in order going down river)
• Santa Fe Canoe Outpost (rentals & launch area) = they provide customers with trash bags and collect from them when picking up down river, employees visit downstream access points to pick up trash, assist with multiple volunteer/environmental group clean ups by providing staff and vessels
• Adventure Outpost (rentals) = they provide customers with trash bags and collect from them when picking up down river, employees visit downstream access points to pick up trash, assist with multiple volunteer/environmental group clean ups by providing staff and vessels
• High Springs Boat Ramp (managed by Alachua Co) = waste receptacles present and clean river bank
• Columbia County Boat Ramp (hwy 27) (managed by Columbia Co) = waste receptacles present and clean river bank
• Poe Springs Park (owned by Alachua Co – managed by Nature Quest) = clean river bank, waste receptacles present, no alcohol policy, working on implementing a “no glass/no bottle” policy for all beverages, users typically families and remain on land and around spring
• Rum Island Park & Boat Ramp (managed by Columbia Co) = clean river bank, waste receptacles present, no alcohol policy, inmate crews pick up litter once per week, open to public, multiple uses by the public – including river access and floating
• Blue Springs (private park) = clean river bank, waste receptacles present, currently have “no glass/no bottle” policy, allow alcohol, no food or beverages allowed in swimming areas, employees monitor/pick up spring run for trash, assist & sponsor multiple volunteer/environmental group clean ups, users typically remain in and around spring and spring run
• Ginnie Springs (private park) = clean river bank, waste receptacles present at entry and exit points to the springs and river, have “no glass/no bottle” policy, allow alcohol, employees pick up banks following weekends, employees dive river when clear enough to pick up trash, high number of users and use includes tubing down the Santa Fe River – entering and exiting at entry and exit points on the subject property
• Gilchrist Co Park (managed by county – primitive site downriver of Ginnie Springs – no facilities) = trash present along river bank, no waste receptacles onsite, sign posted “no alcohol”, users fish from banks and use as access point to enter river for floating, canoeing/kayaking
• The Santa Fe Park & Boat Ramp (managed by Gilchrist Co – off hwy 47) = trash present along river bank – some in bags, no waste receptacles onsite(one fishing line container present), users fish from bank, launch vessels, hike up river bank, tube and use as exit point from upriver county park
Additional information:
- Gilchrist County has recently purchased and placed new trash containers (stolen in the past) at the county parks along the river as well as scheduling inmate crews to pick up trash at the parks on Mondays.
- FWC officers have issued many citations for littering in the past and concentrate patrols during the “season” (Memorial to Labor Day).
Source: Carmine Oliverio, Florida Department of Environmental Protection
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
SJRWMD Water Supply Plan - Water Conservation Subgroup
The Water Conservation Subgroup for the SJRWMD Water Supply Plan met on Friday, August 2009.
Meeting agenda, notes and presentations
Meeting agenda, notes and presentations
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Senate Bill 2080 Passed
Governor Crist signed Senate Bill 2080 into law.
A part of Bill 2080 codefies the principles of Florida-Friendly Landscaping. In a letter, the Governor asked that governing boards and executive directors continue to include surface water and consumptive use permits on all board meeting agendas or other public meetings for discussion and transparency puposes.
Governor Crist letter
Senate Bill 2080
A part of Bill 2080 codefies the principles of Florida-Friendly Landscaping. In a letter, the Governor asked that governing boards and executive directors continue to include surface water and consumptive use permits on all board meeting agendas or other public meetings for discussion and transparency puposes.
Governor Crist letter
Senate Bill 2080
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
FWC Press Release
High Springs Herald article
St. Petersburg Times article
Monday, June 29, 2009
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
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
Saturday, June 27, 2009
SJRWMD/SRWMD Water Supply Plan Meeting, June 18, 2009
The SJRWMD/SRWMD 2010 District Water Supply Plan Northern Planning Area/Upper Santa Fe River Water Supply Plan Work Group meeting was held June 18, 2009 in Gainesville.
Meeting Summary
Water Supply Plan Workshop - July 9
The Suwannee River and St. Johns River water management districts will host a joint workshop on Thursday, July 9 at 10 a.m. to discuss technical methodology for development of their 2010 Water Supply Plans. The public is invited to attend.
It will be held in the St. Johns District headquarters Governing Board room in Palatka.
Meeting Summary
Water Supply Plan Workshop - July 9
The Suwannee River and St. Johns River water management districts will host a joint workshop on Thursday, July 9 at 10 a.m. to discuss technical methodology for development of their 2010 Water Supply Plans. The public is invited to attend.
It will be held in the St. Johns District headquarters Governing Board room in Palatka.
Friday, June 5, 2009
Springs Working Group Meeting - June 4, 2009
The Santa Fe Springs Working Group held its quarterly meeting on June 4, 2009 at the Poe Springs Lodge from 9:30 - 12:30. A field trip to two agricultural sites followed.
Agenda and Meeting Notes
Presentations:
Agenda and Meeting Notes
Presentations:
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