Ichetucknee River In The Media
From The St. Petersburg Times
www.sptimes.com
Letters to the Editor
September 2, 2006
On Aug. 24, a headline on the front page proclaims: Springs bring mystery illness; subhead, "The state is investigating ailments that are afflicting swimmers. Pollution is suspected."
The body of the story, however, shows clearly that this toxic problem has been known since 1999. It appears in different major Florida springs. There is an algae strain present that is known to be toxic and is known to be fueled by fertilizers, including nitrates. It is further known that Florida's springs are increasingly polluted by nitrates, with the latest reported proof found when "20-million gallons of Tallahassee sewage that was being sprayed on a 4,000-acre field every day was flowing into the aquifer and surfacing about 40 days later and 10 miles away as pollution in Wakulla Springs ..."
These things have all been previously reported to the Florida Environmental Protection Agency, state park authorities, Florida's water management districts, the state Department of Health, the University of Florida and the University of North Carolina.
Therefore, it appears to me that this is neither a mystery nor news but rather evidence of ongoing neglect by the very institutions founded for - and paid by - the citizens of this state. Are we, as citizens, getting what we paid for, or what we deserve, from our state government?
Albert L. Richardson, Bradenton
Some clues to springs pollution
Re: Florida springs, sturgeon and pollution.
Having spent more than 40 years of my life in Florida, a great deal of my "break" time and, later, our family day trips with my children to the rivers and springs here, I am surprised to see that there has not been an intelligent tie to the factors involved. The opening of a cement plant below Ichetucknee Springs, which feeds into the Suwanee River, right into the area of the deadly fish-jump attacks, may be a clue.
The increased incidence of algae blooms in all our springs, and allergic rashes that may occur may also be a clue. The malformed and three-eyed fish from the Econlahatchee River, manatees so used to pollution that they swim north and are found in the Hudson River, swimming in the comfort of one of the more polluted rivers they can reach, are clues to how we are destroying one of the best-kept Florida secrets that we have trusted our politicians to protect.
Our springs, state growth, pesticides, fertilizers, the "pure water" market all are contributing factors, and we need to wake up to the fact that unless something is done, we all will be drinking bottled water from Lake Michigan because it is a cleaner source and more plentiful than our bottled spring water in Florida. Wake up, Florida. We are ruining our paradise on earth.
Patti Scuderi, St. Petersburg
From TBO.COM
September 9, 2006
Losing The Springs Of Paradise
Florida has been known for its springs ever since Spanish explorer Ponce de Leon discovered the state while searching for the legendary "Fountain of Youth." The state has more than 300 springs that bubble up cool, clear water from deep underground.
The springs are not just wonderful swimming holes. They also are essential sources of fresh water that sustain our rivers and estuaries and contribute to our drinking-water supply.
Yet Florida, which has bulldozed much of its natural wonder, is ruining its springs.
Some swimmers who have taken a recent dip say they later developed ugly skin rashes.
The likely culprit: pollution-caused algae bloom.
The St. Petersburg Times says that 34 people have reported developing rashes at state parks with springs. The former head of the state Department of Environmental Protection's Spring Task Force says the number is probably far higher, since most afflicted people don't bother to find a ranger before leaving the park.
The outbreaks have occurred at some of the state's most famous springs - Wakulla, Ichetucknee, Rainbow, Fanning, Alexander and Blue Springs.
Pollution can easily seep through underground limestone into the aquifer. Earlier this year scientists used dye to follow sewage sprayed on a field by city of Tallahassee workers. The dye surfaced 40 days later in Wakulla Springs, 10 miles away.
Yet the state remains insufficiently concerned. It has spent about $2.5 million over the last six years to protect springs, but the modest amount and the lack of rigorous safeguards suggest it is not a state priority to save these precious water bodies.
Wakulla's plight, fortunately, drew attention and alarm. One of the state's largest and most famous, this spring has been the backdrop for many movies, including "The Creature From the Black Lagoon." Conservationists, joined by Attorney General Charlie Crist, sought to keep the state's environmental agency from issuing Tallahassee a permit for additional spraying.
Rather than batting down one permit at a time, a better solution would be the creation of comprehensive regulations to protect Florida's springs from pollution.
If we can't save our springs, there is little hope for Florida.
