What’s Happening to Silver Springs?

Water quality in the groundwater basin that contributes to springflow has declined in recent years. In particular, the increased concentration of nutrients, especially nitrates, and the decreased clarity of the water at the headsprings are trends that could eventually reduce the beauty of Silver Springs and the Silver River, and reduce the enjoyment of these resources by residents and visitors. There has also been a long-term reduction in the flow of the group of springs in the Silver Springs complex.

The increased nutrients create an overabundance of aquatic plants and algae. This is a threat to the remarkable clarity of water at Silver Springs, and disturbs the balance of the fisheries and aquatic ecosystems within the springs and the river. Community groups are currently contributing many hours of volunteer labor to rid the river of water lettuce in the Silver River and headsprings.

Selected Working Group Accomplishments

Since 1999, the Silver Springs Working Group has:

• Established a presence and focal point for many local entities that are concerned with the long-term welfare of Silver Springs and the Silver River.
  
• Sponsored two land acquisition applications to Florida Forever (the state land acquisition program). The Avatar tract, still in progress as of December 2005. is a vested subdivision of 8,000 lots on approximately 4,500 acres located on important recharge lands north of Silver Springs. It includes Indian Lake, a sinkhole lake. The Seldin tract was purchased by the State in June 2005 and is being managed by the Marion County Parks and Recreation Department. It comprises 350 acres adjacent to Silver River State Park in close proximity to the headspring.
  
• Developed a map and display concerning the location of important recharge areas within the groundwater basin.
  
• Advocated funding for an update of an important ecological study of Silver Springs that was originally done in 1957 through funding by the Florida Springs Initiative.
  Convened an action team that reviewed future stormwater management plans for State Roads 35 and 40 with the Florida Department of Transportation.
  
• Coordinated public response to county hearings regarding land use actions near the springs.Advocated funding for a long-term USGS study of nitrate in groundwater in the Silver Springs Basin to clarify the sources of high nitrate concentrations in groundwater.
  
• Started an “Old Timers Day” event that brings long-term residents to the spring to share stories about the past at Silver Springs, and relate valuable information about changes that have occurred.
  
• Identified a major stormwater outfall that affects the Silver River. Local agencies and FDOT are cooperating to create a major stormwater retrofit project in conjunction with Marion County’s Phase II NPDES permit activities.
  
• Established an information library for the spring and its basin within the Silver River Museum.
  
• Created an action team to support numerous water lettuce removal events at the headspring and in the Silver River, in cooperation with the Friends of Silver River and other civic groups.
  
• In conjunction with the St. Johns River Water Management District, obtained funding through the Florida Springs Initiative to produce exhibits and a short education video concerning Marion County’s springs and the challenges that confront them.
  
• Held a business outreach event in the spring of 2001 entitled “Taking Care of Business”, emphasizing the link between the health of Silver Springs and tourism in the local economy.
  
• Held an Earth Science Day event at Silver Springs Attraction in 1999 that included information for residents about what they can do to reduce pollution to groundwater.
  
• Numerous boat trips on the Silver River sponsored by the Working Group have brought state legislators, their aides, and other elected officials out on the water to focus their attention on the Silver River and Silver Springs.
  
• Clarified water quality compliance issues within the River and Springs in collaboration with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.
  
• Contributed to the Marion Springs Festival and annual Earth Day events at the Silver River Museum and the Silver Springs attraction with exhibits about Silver Springs and its groundwater basin.
  
• Developed and distributed a fact sheet for the public regarding basin groundwater quality issues, and assisted FDEP in developing a brochure for basin residents entitled “Let’s Protect Silver Springs”.
  
• Obtained funding through the Florida Springs Initiative to support a Silver Springs Working Group coordinator.