Tag Archives: Linda Dicker

Bad news from FWC about the Ichetucknee Springs Protection Zone 2025-11-10

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On Monday, Linda “Dicker” Weseman forwarded this response from Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, denying her proposal for an Ichetucknee Springs Protection Zone (SPZ).

About this sad news, she wrote, “To say this project was near and dear to my heart is an understatement. We had an incredible team step up and support this SPZ. From this, many new friendships formed that I cherish. We gave it a heck of a run and, honestly, I would not change a thing.”

She added, “I only hope it paves the way for success for future efforts to preserve the Ichetucknee and other spring runs.”

She is still leading this January 2026 WWALS outing: Ichetucknee Polar Plunge and Paddle to see SPZ 2026-01-10.
https://wwals.net/?p=68835

[Bad news from FWC, about SPZ 2025-11-10, Denied: Ichetucknee Springs, Protection Zone]
Bad news from FWC, about SPZ 2025-11-10, Denied: Ichetucknee Springs, Protection Zone

From: “Bryant, Rachel”
Date: November 10, 2025 at 12:32:10 PM EST
To: weseman.pe@gmail.com
Cc: “Atkins, Linville”, “Holcomb, William”, “Cook, Madison B.”
Subject: RE: Ichetucknee spring protection zone request

Ms. Weseman

On July 29, 2025, you submitted a request that the Commission consider the establishment of a Springs Protection Zone that creates a no wake zone as well as restricting the use of personal watercraft on the Ichetucknee from the boundary of Ichetucknee Springs State Park to the confluence at the Santa Fe River, the “lower Ichetucknee”. After review by subject matter experts Continue reading →

Ichetucknee Polar Plunge and Paddle to see SPZ 2026-01-10

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Update 2025-11-19: Bad news from FWC about the Ichetucknee Springs Protection Zone 2025-11-10.

Come see what the Ichetucknee Springs Protection Zone (SPZ) is about. Swim in the itch head spring. Then join us for a leisurely paddle 4 miles downstream in crystal clear waters with the possibility of seeing manatee, several types of gar and bird species.

Thanks to Linda Dicker, who proposed the SPZ, for leading this expedition, and for arranging takeout at the private TREPO Point Park.

Thanks to WWALS water quality tester Christiaan Ard for assisting leading this outing.

The Ichetucknee River is great paddling in the park. From there down to the Santa Fe River, power boats abound, producing wakes, endangering humans and wildlife, and eroding shorelines. The SPZ would require a No Wake Zone and maybe ban personal watercraft.

You can 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

When: Gather 9 AM, launch 11 AM, end 4 PM, Saturday, January 10, 2026

Put In: Dip in Ichetucknee Headspring, then paddle starting at North Launch Ichetucknee Springs State Park, Ichetucknee S.P. North Entrance, 8294 SW Elim Church Rd, Fort White, FL 32038, in Columbia County.

GPS: 29.98292, -82.76053

[Ichetucknee Polar Plunge and River Paddle 2026-01-10, to see SPZ, Springs Protection Zone]
Ichetucknee Polar Plunge and River Paddle 2026-01-10, to see SPZ, Springs Protection Zone

Continue reading →

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

The Suwannee Board of County Commissioners agreed to support the Lower Ichetucknee River Springs Protection Zone. Specifically, they support the no wake zone. They expressed no opinion on the personal watercraft ban.

That was yesterday, Tuesday, October 7, 2025.

[Suwannee County is for the Lower Ichetucknee River Springs Protection Zone, October 7, 2025]
Suwannee County is for the Lower Ichetucknee River Springs Protection Zone, October 7, 2025

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>

Before a dozen people spoke for the zone, and none against, Parks & Recreation Director Alden Rosner presented the FFWC request for input as item 14 in the Suwannee County Commission agenda, which took up pages 88-130 of the board packet. Here’s who was who up front. Continue reading →

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]
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: Continue reading →

Clean All Rivers 2022-05-26

Update 2022-06-03: Clean Rivers 2022-06-02.

All tested sites Thursday were clean on five rivers: Little, Withlacoochee, Alapaha, Ichetucknee, and Santa Fe Rivers. No sewage spills have been reported in Georgia or Florida in the Suwannee River Basin for the last week. It hasn’t rained much, and no rain is predicted for the weekend.

So happy boating, swimming, and fishing this weekend!

[Chart, Rivers, Swim Guide]
Chart, Rivers, Swim Guide

The most recent results we have from Valdosta are for Monday upstream and Wednesday of last week downstream. Those were all clean, too. Continue reading →

Withlacoochee, Little, Alapaha, Ichetucknee, Santa Fe all clean 2022-05-12

Update 2022-05-20: Clean Rivers again 2022-05-19.

WWALS got good results on five rivers from samples Thursday. No significant rain is predicted. No sewage spills have been reported in the Suwannee River Basin in Florida or Georgia. So happy swimming, boating, and fishing on the Withlacoochee, Little, Alapaha, Ichetucknee, and Santa Fe Rivers!

[Chart, Rivers, Swim Guide]
Chart, Rivers, Swim Guide

These samples are of course only from a few locations, so they cannot give the condition of the entire rivers. Still, they’re a pretty good indication.

The only red thumb sticking out is at GA 133 on the Withlacoochee River, where for Monday Valdosta got way too high E. coli. Since there was no rain recorded upstream, that looks like the old problem of somebody dumping something in the river. Probably it has washed away and gotten diluted by now. But we have no more recent tests at that location to tell. Some time next week Valdosta will publish the rest of their results for this week, and then we’ll know. Continue reading →