State government says Wakulla County's present springs protection ordinance has some problems. Now some environmental groups are crafting a new ordinance that they say will pass muster with the State.
Last month, the groups held a public forum to write a new springs protection ordinance that wouldn't run afoul of Florida's laws pre-empting local government authority. That meeting attracted some 60 people. Wakulla Springs Alliance Chair, Anthony Gaudio, says the latest draft of the ordinance is up for public review Tuesday evening at 6:00 p.m. in Crawfordville's Wakulla Environmental Institute.
"This is the second forum that we're holding to engage the community to craft a springs protection ordinance to ensure that dangerous substances and hazardous materials don't get into the aquifer and the springs."
The matter gained urgency earlier this year when a Georgia-based company proposed a large gas station and car wash for the corner of Bloxham Cutoff and Crawfordville Road, above the confluence of two huge underground spring systems.
The final ordinance draft will go before county commissioners at their July 17th meeting.
More information about the issue, including a virtual link to the July 11 forum and the text of the proposed ordinance can be found at:
