Wakulla County Amends Exhibit “B” of Wakulla County Ordinance 94-28
During their meeting held Monday, April 21, 2008, the Wakulla County Board of County Commissioners approved an application to amend Exhibit “B” of Wakulla County Ordinance 94-28, which created the Wakulla Springs Water Quality Protection Area. “Our Board of County Commissioners were at the cutting edge of springs protection when they passed the original ordinance in 1994. This week our Board once again took a great step forward by expanding the Springs Special Planning Area to account for the latest scientific studies”, commented Lindsay Stevens, Director of Planning and Community Development.
In 1994, the Board adopted the Wakulla Springs Water Quality Protection Ordinance. This document created additional regulations for properties surrounding, and north of, the northern portion of the Wakulla River and Wakulla Springs. It primarily sets forth requirements for the handling or storage of regulated substances in quantities greater than five gallons. Some of the substances regulated by the Ordinance include pesticides and gasoline. Because of the relatively large amount regulated, a typical residence would not be affected by these requirements; thus, it primarily impacts commercial activities. Any proposed business requesting development permits must provide detailed information to establish that they will be able to meet the requirements of the Ordinance. The Ordinance also requires reporting of any discharges of regulated substances to the County Planning or Emergency Management Office.
Numerous studies have been completed on this environmentally sensitive area of the County. One of the more well known studies includes cave exploration that links several areas in the northern part of the County with a direct connection to Wakulla Springs. Locations in all directions surrounding Wakulla Springs and even at Leon Sinks, in Leon County, have had direct connections made through the cave system. These studies show that properties that are not currently within the protection area have the potential to negatively impact the health of Wakulla Springs and the Wakulla River; therefore, the Board expanded the protection area to incorporate those additional areas.
“The recent expansion of the Wakulla Springs Protection Zone, the amending and thereby strengthening of the Wakulla County Ordinance 94-28, and the added support given to these efforts with the partnering of Wakulla along with Leon County provides additional layers of protection for our precious water resource”, said Commissioner George Green.
- Submitted by Jessica Welch
This article originally published on April 25, 2008.
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