(1) The Legislature finds that springs are a unique part of this state’s scenic beauty. Springs provide critical habitat for plants and animals, including many endangered or threatened species. Springs also provide immeasurable natural, recreational, economic, and inherent value. Springs are of great scientific importance in understanding the diverse functions of aquatic ecosystems. Water quality of springs is an indicator of local conditions of the Floridan Aquifer, which is a source of drinking water for many residents of this state. Water flows in springs may reflect regional aquifer conditions. In addition, springs provide recreational opportunities for swimming, canoeing, wildlife watching, fishing, cave diving, and many other activities in this state. These recreational opportunities and the accompanying tourism they provide are a benefit to local economies and the economy of the state as a whole.
(2) The Legislature finds that the water quantity and water quality in springs may be related. For regulatory purposes, the department has primary responsibility for water quality; the water management districts have primary responsibility for water quantity; and the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services has primary responsibility for the development and implementation of agricultural best management practices. Local governments have primary responsibility for providing domestic wastewater collection and treatment services and stormwater management. The foregoing responsible entities must coordinate to restore and maintain the water quantity and water quality of the Outstanding Florida Springs.
(3) The Legislature recognizes that:

(a) A spring is only as healthy as its aquifer system. The groundwater that supplies springs is derived from water that recharges the aquifer system in the form of seepage from the land surface and through direct conduits, such as sinkholes. Springs may be adversely affected by polluted runoff from urban and agricultural lands; discharges resulting from inadequate wastewater and stormwater management practices; stormwater runoff; and reduced water levels of the Floridan Aquifer. As a result, the hydrologic and environmental conditions of a spring or spring run are directly influenced by activities and land uses within a springshed and by water withdrawals from the Floridan Aquifer.

Terms Used In Florida Statutes 373.801

  • Department: means the Department of Environmental Protection, which includes the Florida Geological Survey or its successor agencies. See Florida Statutes 373.802
  • Local government: means a county or municipal government the jurisdictional boundaries of which include an Outstanding Florida Spring or any part of a springshed or delineated priority focus area of an Outstanding Florida Spring. See Florida Statutes 373.802
  • Spring run: means a body of flowing water that originates from a spring or whose primary source of water is a spring or springs under average rainfall conditions. See Florida Statutes 373.802
  • Springshed: means the areas within the groundwater and surface water basins which contribute, based upon all relevant facts, circumstances, and data, to the discharge of a spring as defined by potentiometric surface maps and surface watershed boundaries. See Florida Statutes 373.802
(b) Springs, whether found in urban or rural settings, or on public or private lands, may be threatened by actual or potential flow reductions and declining water quality. Many of this state’s springs are demonstrating signs of significant ecological imbalance, increased nutrient loading, and declining flow. Without effective remedial action, further declines in water quality and water quantity may occur.
(c) Springshed boundaries and areas of high vulnerability within a springshed need to be identified and delineated using the best available data.
(d) Springsheds typically cross water management district boundaries and local government jurisdictional boundaries, so a coordinated statewide springs protection plan is needed.
(e) The aquifers and springs of this state are complex systems affected by many variables and influences.
(4) The Legislature recognizes that action is urgently needed and, as additional data is acquired, action must be modified.
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