Lower Ichetucknee River Springs Protection Zone @ Suwannee BOCC 2025-10-07

Update 2025-10-08: The Commissioners agreed to support the no wake zone. Pictures: Lower Ichetucknee River Springs Protection Zone @ Suwannee BOCC 2025-10-07.

Come on down to Live Oak to speak or be seen in support of the Lower Ichetucknee River Springs Protection Zone.

That’s 5:30 PM today, Tuesday, October 7, 2025
at the Judicial Annex Building, 218 Parshley Street Southwest, Live Oak, Florida 32064

It’s item 14 the Suwannee County Commission agenda, and it takes up pages 88-130 of the board packet.

Florida Parks “does not oppose,” and FFWC Research and SRWMD recommend more study.

Suwannee County could support more study, or it could say the evidence is already convincing enough.

Lower Ichetucknee River Springs Protection Zone @ Suwannee BOCC, Tuesday, October 7, 2025

Linda Dicker says:

The petition will be presented by Mr. Alden Rosner, Parks & Recreation Director for Suwannee County. I will not be permitted to present the petition and will be in attendance only to address any questions the commission may have.

It is critical that our community express their support of this petition and let the county commission know that we are passionate about preserving the Ichetucknee. Please plan to arrive at least 15 minutes before the meeting starts to sign in for public comments.

You can also write to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FFWC), using this handy form:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScYFArSQsstOauhRVYTCMoikXYIo0i_gDmkuDlbTC-7OSsgQQ/viewform?usp=sharing&ouid=114012348461689332646

Or you can write to:

Captain Rachel Bryant <Rachel.bryant@myfwc.com>
Major Bill Holcomb <William.holcomb@myfwc.com>
Rob Klepper <Robert.klepper@myfwc.com>

What FFWC says it wants from Suwannee County is:

The FWC is requesting feedback from Suwannee County regarding this request, specifically regarding whether or not the available evidence demonstrates significant harm (to include negative impacts to water quality, water quantity, hydrology, wetlands, and aquatic and wetland-dependent species) predominately caused by the operation, anchoring, mooring, beaching, or grounding of vessels such that a spring protection zone is necessary and appropriate in the requested area.

The FWC is requesting feedback from Suwannee County regarding this request….
PDF

Suwannee County Staff Recommendation is:

For the board to dicsuss if they would like to provide a comment to FWC on the proposed springs protection zone.

Suwannee County Commissioners can choose to send any feedback they like to FFWC.

So far as I know, they can not only discuss at this meeting, they can vote on something specific to send. However, probably they’ll put that off to next meeting.

This is the statute revision that motivates FFWC to ask Suwannee County:

Section 1. Subsection (2) of section 327.45, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: 327.45 Protection zones for springs.— (2) The commission may establish by rule protection zones that restrict the speed and operation of vessels, or that prohibit or modify the allowable means of anchoring, mooring, beaching, or grounding of vessels, to protect and prevent significant harm to first, second, and third magnitude springs and springs groups, including their associated spring runs, as determined by the commission using the most recent Florida Geological Survey springs bulletin. Significant harm includes negative impacts to water quality, water quantity, hydrology, wetlands, and aquatic and wetland-dependent species where the operation, anchoring, mooring, beaching, or grounding of vessels is determined to be the predominant cause of negative impacts.

FW: Request for Springs Protection Zone- Ichetucknee River 2025-09-09
PDF

This is what FFWC is considering for a new rule:

THE FULL TEXT OF THE PROPOSED RULE IS:

68D-24.0035 Protection Zones for Springs.
(1) The Commission will establish a springs protection zone restricting speed and operation or that prohibit or modify the allowable means of anchoring, mooring, beaching, or grounding of vessels within a first, second, or third magnitude spring or spring group, and associated spring runs when evidence demonstrates that a zone will protect or prevent the spring, spring group, or spring run from significant harm as described by and of the type identified in Section 327.45, F.S.

PURPOSE AND EFFECT: The rule is being amended to comport with legislative changes to section 327.45, which now requires a showing of significant harm to the springs and allow for modified anchoring, mooring, beaching or grounding as necessary to protect springs and associated spring runs.
PDF

Notice the rule text does not say exactly what will be prohibited or modified, but it’s a start.

Chuck Hatcher of Florida Parks says, “The Department of Environmental Protection’s Division of Recreation and Parks does not oppose the establishment of the Springs Protection Area.”

Email Response from DEP Chuck Hatcher, Director of Division of Recreation & Parks
PDF

Craig Mallison of FFWC Research Institute isn’t convinced about the harm to the river, but, “I do believe it is a valid safety concern to have outboard motors operating in an area with swimmers and tubers — this may warrant further investigation from a safety standpoint.”

Email from Craig Mallison, FWC Associate Research Scientist at Fish & Wildlife Research Institute
PDF

Sutie Hetric of SRWMD Office of Water Resources says, “The District is supportive of a review of available data and a scientific assessment of the effects of the operation, anchoring, mooring, beaching, or grounding of vessels in the lower portion of the ichetucknee River, and is willing to support an effort to secure grant funding for this purpose.”

Email Response from SRWMD, Susie Hetrick, Office of Water Resources
PDF

Linda L. Weseman’s first request appears to be the same as we already posted.

Images of the second request are below.

-jsq, John S. Quarterman, Suwannee RIVERKEEPER®

You can help with clean, swimmable, fishable, drinkable, water in the 10,000-square-mile Suwannee River Basin in Florida and Georgia by becoming a WWALS member today!
https://wwals.net/donations/

Short Link:

WWALS Watershed Coalition (WWALS) is Suwannee RIVERKEEPER®

A healthy watershed with clean, swimmable, fishable, drinkable water.

THE FULL TEXT OF THE PROPOSED RULE IS:

Agenda

Packet

SE

NDR

SB1388

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