A Call to Action to the People of Columbia County

Jim Stevenson, Coordinator

Ichetucknee Springs Basin Working Group

The people of Columbia County enjoyed Ichetucknee Springs and River for over a hundred years before the state park was established in 1970. They went there to swim, fish and to bathe after a day in the fields. They enjoyed family reunions, school picnics and church baptisms. They walked, rode mules, wagons, bicycles, cars and the train to reach this special place.

In 1995, the Department of Environmental Protection formed the Ichetucknee Springs Basin Working Group to protect the quality of the waters flowing to the springs. Although the spring water was still pristine, we felt we should begin exploring protection options before there was a water quality crisis in the springs and river. The working group is composed of all the agencies that have knowledge of or responsibilities in the basin that supplies water to the springs. Other stakeholders include businesses, homeowners, farmers and environmental organizations. We set about learning the fascinating hydrology, identifying the threats to water quality, and developing solutions for overcoming the threats.

Through scientific research, we have learned a great deal during the past 12 years. We know that the basin (or recharge area) that feeds the Ichetucknee is a 300 square mile, underground, shallow reservoir that includes about 40% of Columbia County. The basin is recharged by rainfall and drained by Ichetucknee Springs. We are continuing to learn more about the hydrology and the sources of the contaminants that are degrading the water. There are 18 research and monitoring projects underway during 2007 at a cost of $671,000. Of Florida’s 700 springs, only Wakulla Spring, south of Tallahassee, is being studied to this extent.

Unfortunately, the Ichetucknee is in trouble. The 294 tons of nitrate flowing from the springs per year is feeding algae that are smothering the eelgrass and other native aquatic plants. This degradation is altering the ecology of the springs and river and impacting the aquatic animals that live there.

This initiative is not about far away efforts to stop global warming, or save the whales, or restore the Everglades; it is about protecting a very special place in your own backyard. Saving the Ichetucknee means that each person living in the Ichetucknee Basin must take responsibility for his or her own pollution. The groundwater that is intercepted by the City water supply wells and by homeowner wells in the basin was flowing to the springs. A Chinese proverb says “When you drink the water, remember the spring.” In addition, when you wash your car, water the lawn or flush the toilet, remember the spring ---- it is the same water.

We are not crying wolf. A number of Florida springs are closed to public use because they no longer flow or are too contaminated for public use. They include Kissengen Spring in Polk County, Hampton Spring in Taylor County, Gemini Spring in Volusia County, Wall Spring in Pinellas County and Sulphur Spring in Hillsborough County. Any of Florida’s springs could suffer the same fate, including the Ichetucknee, unless the residents living in the spring basin take action.

The Ichetucknee is one of Florida’s finest state parks and the premier tubing river in the U.S. Nearly 7 million people have visited the park since it was established in 1970. The Ichetucknee generates $23 million per year for the local economy. Unfortunately, some swimmers and tubers enjoying Florida springs have experienced rashes and other health effects possibly caused by the increase of algae. If this problem worsens, we can not expect up to 200,000 visitors per year to continue to travel here.

There is hope. The people of Columbia County are taking action and good things are happening in the spring basin. Although the working group searches for threats to the groundwater that flows through the basin, we aren’t looking for bad guys to blame, we’re looking for good guys to commend. The Florida Springs Task Force has recognized the good deeds of several Lake City businessmen, officials and citizens by presenting them the Florida Springs Protection Award. There are too many successes to mention here but you can see the impressive list of “2006 Accomplishments” at www.ichetucknee.info

Upgrading municipal wastewater treatment, installing nitrogen removing septic systems, and enhancing stormwater management will be expensive. Additional funding will be required but that is the cost of protecting the Ichetucknee, one of the finest springs in the world, -- and our drinking water. Although we can look to Tallahassee and to Washington D.C. to provide a portion of the needed funding, we can’t expect state and federal governments to fix this local problem. The solutions must be developed and implemented by the residents of the Ichetucknee Basin, which includes Lake City. Business-as-usual will not save the Ichetucknee. New strategies must be created.

The area of the basin most vulnerable to contamination of the groundwater lies between I-75 and the springs. The Ichetucknee Trace, the former riverbed of the Ichetucknee, is especially vulnerable because a major cave conducting water to the springs lies beneath the trace. Septic tanks along the trace and in close proximity to sinkholes and other caves are of special concern. Nitrogen removing septic systems should be installed in these high risk locations.

These new septic systems are more expensive than the standard septic tanks; however, as more homes are constructed in the basin, human wastes must be managed in a better way. As populations increase, society must make adjustments to account for the added pollution that we generate. There was a time when homeowners were required to abandon their outhouses and install an “expensive” septic tank and drainfield in order to protect drinking water from bacteria. While many welcomed this new technology, no doubt others objected to this government regulation and to the cost. Although the septic tank is designed to kill bacteria, it does not control the nitrogen that discharges from the drainfield at the level of 30 milligrams per liter. The time has come to upgrade to the new septic systems to control nitrogen in the most vulnerable areas of the basin.

The Ichetucknee has been a special place to the people of Lake City and Columbia County for well over a century. It is a cherished part of the cultural history of this community. The first church in Columbia County was the Spanish mission at Ichetucknee. Local churches conducted baptisms at Ichetucknee for decades. This spiritual celebration is again being conducted during Baptism Sunday at Ichetucknee. The second annual ceremony was held September 30, at the headspring.

Ichetucknee Springs Old Timers Days have been held at the headspring annually for the past 11 years. Anyone who knew the Ichetucknee before the state park was established in 1970 is an official Ichetucknee Old Timer. Old timers are interviewed to record their stories of the good old days at Ichetucknee when it was a center of social activity for the community. The next Old Timers Day is April 5, 2008. Bring your covered dish, lawn chair and your stories.

Ichetucknee Springs Appreciation Day is an opportunity to learn the fascinating story about the springs, river and basin. Numerous experts including hydrologists, geologists, biologists, paleontologists and archeologists have their exhibits at the headspring to tell the Ichetucknee story. A basin tour, guided walks, interpretive talks and van tours to the hidden springs are also provided. This is a free admission day for the people of Columbia County. It is a day designed specifically for you to learn about this very special place. We encourage you to attend the 4^th annual Appreciation Day on April 12, 2008.

Also, the public is welcome to attend the quarterly meetings of the Ichetucknee Springs Basin Working Group held in Lake City. The meeting agenda is listed on the working group web site: www.ichetucknee.info. Or call the working group coordinator at 850 562-5716 for information.

These events are helping to remind long-time residents, and inform those who have moved here in recent years about the contributions of Ichetucknee Springs to the cherished quality of life we all share.

There is hope--- however, all of Columbia County’s common folk need to stand a little taller if Ichetucknee Springs is to survive. Good citizens and good government must act. We trust you will act to protect Ichetucknee Springs.