The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) has chosen to withdraw the consideration of a Springs Protection Zone (SPZ) at Silver Glen Springs from its agenda for the upcoming Commission meeting in May, in Ocala.
This removal follows recent legislative developments in Florida proposing changes to the requirements for establishing SPZs. Although the governor has yet to sign this legislation into law, it introduces new criteria, stating that vessel-induced harm must be both significant and the primary source of damage to a spring for an SPZ to be established. If ratified, the legislation will come into effect on July 1.
The Commission had aimed to evaluate the potential SPZ at Silver Glen Springs based on the current statutory criteria during the May meeting. However, if approved, there wouldn’t be enough time to enact the SPZ by rule before the new criteria take effect on July 1.
Given these developments, the FWC considers it premature and potentially inappropriate to proceed with the consideration of an SPZ at this time. Addressing the matter under existing statutes, while legislative changes are impending, would bypass the legislative process. The FWC is committed to ensuring that any Commission action aligns with the latest legal framework and legislative intent, once officially enacted.
The staff will continue to monitor the legislative progress and revisit the Silver Glen Springs SPZ matter when more clarity is available regarding the statutory conditions for SPZ establishment.
