FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 26, 2001

DEP Secretary Praises Weeki Wachee Spring Purchase

--Florida’s springs initiative furthered by latest acquisition—

TALLAHASSEE – Florida Department of Environmental Protection Secretary David B. Struhs praised the Southwest Florida Water Management District’s (Swiftmud) Board of Governors and the St. Petersburg City Council for voting to approve the purchase of Weeki Wachee Spring. This vote enables the release of Preservation 2000 funds for this acquisition. State ownership of the 440-acre parcel will help preserve the integrity of this well-known first magnitude spring.

The action by Swiftmud and the City of St. Petersburg will allow the world famous mermaid attraction to remain open. The agreement also contains a DEP suggestion that limits the use of additional land east of U.S. 19, stating that it can only be used for preservation and natural recreation. This 130.04-acre tract sits directly above the feeder source for Weeki Wachee Spring.

"Governor Jeb Bush clearly recognized that it is far more effective to prevent environmental damage than it is to clean it up after the fact when he proposed last year to build public/private partnerships with landowners and local governments to determine the quantity and quality of spring flows," said Struhs. "This philosophy has been realized here today with the acquisition of Weeki Wachee Spring. The water management district has performed an extremely valuable public service by forever protecting one of Florida’s most unique resources. We should all thank the governing board, as well as the City of St. Petersburg, for this act of stewardship."

This year, the Governor reaffirmed his commitment to protecting these unique treasures by requesting $2.5 million to protect Florida’s springs. The Legislature agreed, and the funding is a part of the state’s 2001-02 budget. Weeki Wachee is one of only 33 First Magnitude Springs in Florida, and its acquisition is in line with the goals of DEP’s Florida Springs Initiative.

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Resources for: Citizens Educators Businesses Government Information Calendar Contacts News Newsletters Organizational Chart Publications & Reports Unless indicated, documents on this Web site are Adobe Acrobat files, and require the free reader software.	Press Office FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 26, 2001 DEP Secretary Praises Weeki Wachee Spring Purchase --Florida’s springs initiative furthered by latest acquisition— TALLAHASSEE – Florida Department of Environmental Protection Secretary David B. Struhs praised the Southwest Florida Water Management District’s (Swiftmud) Board of Governors and the St. Petersburg City Council for voting to approve the purchase of Weeki Wachee Spring. This vote enables the release of Preservation 2000 funds for this acquisition. State ownership of the 440-acre parcel will help preserve the integrity of this well-known first magnitude spring. The action by Swiftmud and the City of St. Petersburg will allow the world famous mermaid attraction to remain open. The agreement also contains a DEP suggestion that limits the use of additional land east of U.S. 19, stating that it can only be used for preservation and natural recreation. This 130.04-acre tract sits directly above the feeder source for Weeki Wachee Spring. "Governor Jeb Bush clearly recognized that it is far more effective to prevent environmental damage than it is to clean it up after the fact when he proposed last year to build public/private partnerships with landowners and local governments to determine the quantity and quality of spring flows," said Struhs. "This philosophy has been realized here today with the acquisition of Weeki Wachee Spring. The water management district has performed an extremely valuable public service by forever protecting one of Florida’s most unique resources. We should all thank the governing board, as well as the City of St. Petersburg, for this act of stewardship." This year, the Governor reaffirmed his commitment to protecting these unique treasures by requesting $2.5 million to protect Florida’s springs. The Legislature agreed, and the funding is a part of the state’s 2001-02 budget. Weeki Wachee is one of only 33 First Magnitude Springs in Florida, and its acquisition is in line with the goals of DEP’s Florida Springs Initiative. -30- Sign up for DEP's Press Releases email: Last updated: February 08, 2007
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