District springs could receive about 40 percent of funding in a proposed state plan to pay for projects to help protect local springs.
The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) submitted a plan to the Florida Legislature earlier this month to invest $50 million in springs restoration from this year’s budget. When leveraged with funding from local partners, this plan proposes a total investment of nearly $86 million in 35 springs projects across the state during the 2018-19 fiscal year. The plan focuses on projects critical for springs restoration, including investing $32 million in sewer and septic projects.
Under the plan, Chassahowitzka and Homosassa, Rainbow and Crystal River/Kings Bay would receive a combined $18.7 million in funding for projects, not including additional dollars for the septic upgrade program. Examples of the projects include Lyngbya removal and construction of a sanitary septic sewer system.
“The health of Florida’s springs is critical to our state’s environment, economy and communities,” said DEP Secretary Noah Valenstein.
The state’s Legislative Budget Commission still needs to approve the restoration plan. Click here to view the entire plan.