The basic geology of FL lies on limestone formations which overlay the Floridian Aquifer. Go to Google Earth and zoom in on any portion of my state and you an see it looks like swiss cheese, with a myriad of lakes dotting the landscape.
We use the aquifer as our main source of drinking water pumping it willy nilly to feed the voracious appetite for development. You see, a few thousand acres of scrub pine by itself has little value. Nevertheless, plat the land, subdivide it for housing, and coax/bribe compliant county commissions to extend roads, sewage, and water services to these housing lots, and the same piece of land becomes hundreds of times more valuable in terms of dollars per acre, notwithstanding the value of sandy scrub pine soi which acts as filtration system for water which falls as rain and flows into our aquifer.
As a consequence, municipalities have to pump more and more water for the taps and toilets of the new homes. Evidence has arisen that the aquifer exists as a finite resource, and the wonderful natural resource of FL springs--where fresh water just bubbles up from the depths--getting depleted. leading to lowered flow rate at our springs.
How will FL deal with this?
The current regime proposes putting off for 11 years setting minimum flow rates for our springs, this after taking 30 years so far to apply the law.
ELEVEN MORE Freakin' years, during which time politicians and plunderers will gorge themselves on cheap water while ignoring the long term health of our streams, springs, and rivers.
[The Northwest Florida Water Management District is seeking to delay setting minimum flow levels for Wakulla Springs and other springs in the district by 11 years, raising concerns among environmentalists.
The Legislature more than 30 years ago passed a law requiring minimum flow studies for waterways across the state, but implementation has been slow.
The studies can help ensure there is enough water for fish and wildlife, and determine whether too much groundwater is being pumped, scientists say.The Northwest District said in 2011 it would set "minimum flows and levels" for Wakulla Springs in 2012. In November, though, the district sent a new proposed schedule to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection proposing to set levels in 2023.
"That's just ridiculous," retired DEP biologist Jim Stevenson said Monday. "Every year there is a different schedule and a different timeline. And every year they change it."
Blue Spring in Jackson County would get an MFL adopted in 2024 followed by Econfina Creek and Springs in 2026. Other springs in Walton, Holmes and Jackson counties would receive minimum flow limits sometime after 2026.] emphasis added to highlight idiocy.
http://www.thefloridacurrent.com/article.cfm?id=31092747&utm_source=not_lt_user&utm_medium=article_link&utm_campaign=current_email
