The Econfina Creek and Holmes Creek Springs Protection projects were on a statewide list of springs restoration projects recently approved by Legislative Budget Commission. The commission approved the Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s (DEP) list of proposed $69 million in springs restoration projects.
The Northwest Florida Water Management District will receive more than $6.8 million to implement eight projects designed to also improve conditions in Wakulla Springs and Jackson Blue Spring.
“This funding will play a crucial role in the district’s efforts to protect water supply and preserve the natural resources of our area’s important spring ecosystems,” Northwest Florida Water Management District Executive Director Jon Steverson said in a prepared statement.
Including the $6.8 million proposed by this plan, the district’s proposed tentative fiscal year 2014-2015 budget includes more than $8.2 million for springs restoration and protection. This is in addition to the more than $3.3 million invested in springs protection by the district during the current fiscal year.
Combined with local contributions, the $69 million is expected to go to work on springs throughout Central and
Two local ones made the list.
Devil’s Hole Spring, located on Econfina Creek, discharges about 21 million gallons per day. The spring is a popular public recreation area that is experiencing significant erosion and de-stabilization, said Lauren Engel, a spokeswoman for the Northwest Florida Water Management District.
The Devil’s Hole Spring Restoration project, which will cost $125,000, will stabilize, restore and protect stream banks at the spring, which will improve water quality, she said. She said it also will restore historical shoreline impacted by erosion and prevent destruction of habitat from erosion and recreational use on Econfina Creek.
The project also involves installing boardwalks and access points to prevent future water quality and habitat impacts, Engel said.
“It’s a very popular paddling (area),” she said. “People like to swim and fish and camp along the shore. They love these springs.”
Directly south of Devil’s Hole Spring is Seashell, a campsite with a picnic table. People walking in this area have trampled over plants and knocked sediments into the water, Engel said.
“We’re doing restoration work to restore the stream bank from erosion and ultimately, improve water quality,” she said.
The Holmes Creek Springs Complex Restoration project, which will cost $175,000, will stabilize the stream bank and provide stormwater treatment and adequate boat launching access at Cotton Landing, Engel said.
“It’s another popular campsite and fishing area, a place to launch canoes and kayaks,” Engel said. “We want to again stabilize the shoreline plant native plants.”
She said the project will involve laying down “geotechnical bags,” which helps prevent the shoreline from crumbling sediments into the water.
“By using geotechnical bags they allow native plants to grow there instead of putting up ugly concrete walls,” she said.
She said plans for both projects are being finalized, and there is no definitive start or finish date.
Econfina Creek would not be shut down for the work, but perhaps a segment of it would be temporarily closed.
“There will still be plenty of other beautiful places to enjoy paddling,” she said.