(WTXL) The Florida Department of Environmental Protection meets to discuss the status of the restoration plan covering the Wakulla River and Wakulla Springs area.
Local government leaders, scientists, environmentalists, and agricultural producers gathered at the Florida Department of Environmental Protection today.
The department has been working with local governments and other stakeholder to identify an effective and appropriate restoration plan for the area.
The Wakulla River and Spring System Restoration plan is designed to combat nutrient pollution or excessive nitrates in the water.
At today's meeting, DEP staff discussed plans to reduce nitrate levels in Wakulla Springs.
The Program Administrator of Water Quality Restoration Program, Beth Alvi, said, “There's a particular nutrient that is causing a problem here, and we say, no more than this number set in the TMDL can be in those waters.” Adding, “Our plan is to reduce the amount of nutrient that is in that water to meet that target."
Wakulla Springs is one of the deepest freshwater springs in the world and is the primary source for the Wakulla River.
