SILVER SPRINGS − U.S. Rep. Randy Fine explained his proposal for creating a new national park while standing by a clear, freshwater spring surrounded by spiny green palms and spindly oaks. The juxtaposition was intentional − while it may not look it, Florida's springs are ailing.
Fine spoke at an Aug. 25 press conference at Juniper Springs Recreation Area, one of dozens of such spots within the Ocala National Forest. Fine, a Florida Republican, has proposed transforming the national forest into Florida Springs National Park.
The first-term congressman said as he thought about the problem and how he cherished his visits to many of the 63 U.S. national parks, the idea sprang to his mind.
"The bill begins with the fundamental promise that things like what we have behind me, these Florida springs, are as miraculous and amazing as any other natural asset that we have in this country, and they are deserving of our protection," Fine said.
His bill would mandate a U.S. Department of the Interior study of not simply making the forest a national park, but also the feasibility of adding springs in surrounding areas, including in Volusia and Flagler counties, to the future national park.
Ocala National Forest is the oldest national forest east of the Mississippi River.
Adding to 'America's best idea' Fine said he bought national park passports for his sons, ages 17 and 13, and has taken them, as well as his father, on annual summer trips to visit parks. They've traveled to Yellowstone, Yosemite, and the Grand Canyon, among others.
"National parks represent the very best of us," Fine said. "They've been called America's best idea, and whether it's preserving nature or telling our history, national parks tell Americans what it means to be American."
When he campaigned for Congress ahead of the April 1 special election, Fine said he visited some of the springs in Florida's 6th District and wondered why they weren't protected like the environmental gems in national parks.
"When I saw these Florida springs, places unlike anything else you'll find in Florida, unlike anything else you'll find in America, unlike anything else you'll find in the world, I thought these, too, are worthy of designation," Fine said. "We literally are the Yellowstone of springs.
Fine also noted that Florida's growing population and record number of visitors have led to problems.
"The greatest thing about Florida today is that everybody wants to move here. And the worst thing about Florida today is that everyone wants to move here," he said.
The state's proximity to water − the ocean, gulf, rivers, lakes, springs, and aquifers − is part of its charm. But he said there's a "patchwork quilt of development" in the area.
Adding to National Park System at a time of budget cuts Fine said he doesn't anticipate a problem finding a Senate sponsor, but acknowledged the bill will be difficult to get through Congress.
Adding a new national park could be even harder to pass at a time when President Donald Trump has proposed a nearly 25% cut in funding for national parks, monuments, historic sites, seashores and trails.
Fine supports an Trump-signed executive order proposing to raise the price of admission to national parks for foreign visitors, comparing the single-day entry fees of around $20 to the cost for a family to go to Disney World and other attractions.
"The United States taxpayers should not be subsidizing foreign tour groups that want to visit our natural resources," he said.
Volusia County Council chairman's show of support Volusia County Council Chair Jeff Brower said North and Central Florida have more than 1,000 natural springs.
"They are blue jewels that provide recreation for all of us but also the tourist industry that comes from all of the world here," Brower said, "but our springs are telling us that they're struggling."
"Wachulla, Rainbow and Silver Springs are all showing signs of profound struggle," Brower said. "The Wachulla is now green from pollution and no longer clear on most days. Silver Springs, one of the largest springs in the world, has reduced its flow by 30% and most of the seagrass ... is gone."
Brower said development pressure has taxed the Floridian aquifer and has wreaked havoc on the springs.
"The most important thing that we can do is change our development pattern and practices while protecting the springs from further damage, exactly what Congressman Fine is proposing," Brower said. "I didn't say stop all development, but the fact is, we cannot sustain the pace that Florida is encouraging in growth."
Blue-green algae have been found in Lake Monroe and Lake George in Volusia County, and some springs have also seen problems.
The condition of Florida's waterways concerns Suzanne Scheiber − founder of Dream Green Volusia, a nonprofit environmental organization based in Ormond Beach. She stood behind Fine during the press conference,
"I think it's an opportunity of a lifetime for us," Scheiber said. "I think that Rep. Fine is correct. This should be a nonpartisan issue. I'm hopeful for that."
Jonathan Rubin, president and executive director of the Boca Raton-based Clean Earth Initiative, said Florida springs produce more than 10 billion gallons of water per day, serving some 90% of the state's population.
"This growing pressure has decreased the flow level by 30 to 50%, with many of our springs being severely polluted," Rubin said.
"National parks not only protect ecosystems, but they also create tourism, provide educational opportunities, and foster healthy, vibrant communities." "That's why this region needs to be a national park, not just a national forest."
Where is Ocala National Forest? Ocala National Forest was established on Nov. 24, 1909. Its 673 square miles straddle the Marion, Putnam and Lake county lines, and it abuts Volusia County on the west side of the St. Johns River and Lake George.
Five springs have been identified within the national forest's boundaries: Alexander Springs, Juniper Springs, Salt Springs, Silver Glen Springs, and Silver Springs State Park .
Where is Ocala National Forest? Ocala National Forest was established on Nov. 24, 1909. Its 673 square miles straddle the Marion, Putnam and Lake county lines, and it abuts Volusia County on the west side of the St. Johns River and Lake George.
Five springs have been identified within the national forest's boundaries: Alexander Springs, Juniper Springs, Salt Springs, Silver Glen Springs, and Silver Springs State Park .
Where is Ocala National Forest? Ocala National Forest was established on Nov. 24, 1909. Its 673 square miles straddle the Marion, Putnam and Lake county lines, and it abuts Volusia County on the west side of the St. Johns River and Lake George.
Five springs have been identified within the national forest's boundaries: Alexander Springs, Juniper Springs, Salt Springs, Silver Glen Springs, and Silver Springs State Park .
In addition to the Ocala National Forest, the bill identifies more than 40 other areas for consideration to be added to a Florida Springs National Park. These would include state parks such as DeLeon Springs, Blue Spring in Orange City, Lower Wekiva River Preserve in Sanford and Faver-Dykes in St. Augustine.
"National parks have been developed in dozens of ways over the 100 years of the National Park Service," Fine said. "But the bill begins with the fundamental premise that things like what we have behind me, these Florida springs, are as miraculous and amazing as any other natural asset that we have in this country, and they are deserving of our protection."
Does Florida have any national parks? Florida has three national parks: Biscayne , Dry Tortugas , and Everglades , as well as two national seashores: Canaveral and Gulf Islands .
"I simply believe that the Florida springs deserve the same designation as the Everglades or Biscayne Bay or Dry Tortugas, or any of the national parks," Fine said.
Also listed as U.S. National Park Service properties are Big Cypress National Preserve , Castillo de San Marcos and Fort Matanzas national monuments, DeSoto National Memorial , and Timucuan Ecological & Historic Preserve , home to Fort Caroline National Memorial .
The U.S. Forest Service manages three national forests: Ocala, Apalachicola National Forest, and Osceola National Forest.
Mark Harper
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