Group Looking To Raise Funds For Silver Glen Fight

    “We’ve only got one shot at this.”
   James Grech was one of over 100 area residents who packed the Astor VFW hall on Monday night to discuss a proposal that could severely limit, and some fear end, recreational boating in the Silver Glen run. The meeting was hosted by Save Our Boating Rights (SOBR), who along with the Friends of Silver Glen are fighting a US Forest Service request that would see Silver Glen established as a Springs Protection Zone by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
   The move would eliminate anchoring, mooring, and any other boating practices that impact that spring's underwater ground or adjoining fauna.
   Spring Protection Zones are a recently created tool by the State of Florida that allows the FWC to limit boating activity. The Forest Service has requested Silver Glen be added to the list of SPZs in the state, and after months of internal discussion, the public is awaiting its chance to speak.
   “They have to have two public meetings, but neither has been scheduled yet,” said Grech, who along with Steve Combs moderated Monday’s meeting.
   While boaters would still be able to go into the run should the SPZ be enacted, the fear is that in reality the action would make it very hard to enjoy the springs by boat. And should the Glen be taken off the table as a recreational destination, the fear is that the river economy, particularly in Astor, will be negatively impacted.
   “If they restrict it,” Grech said, “It’s really going to have an impact.”
   Astor’s economy is mostly based on river usage, and Silver Glen for decades has been a main attraction. The fear is that the river by itself will not be enough of a draw.
   Over the years, several efforts have been made to regulate activity at the springs, and Combs on Monday voiced the belief that if laws and policies that are already on the books were more strictly enforced, many problems seen by government agencies would be eliminated.
   “It’s easier for them to close it,” Combs said, referring to what he sees as a lack of interest in policing the Glen on a day-to-day basis.
   “They purposely let it run amok,” Grech said.
   Environmental degradation has been a concern at the Glen, and while the loss of eelgrass has been noted, Grech said SOBR is in possession of emails form an FWC biologist that states the majority, if not all, of the damage to the Glen’s bottom is coming from increased feeding by fish, turtles, and even manatees, as food sources in other areas have declined. Hurricane impact has also been noted in the past.
   Beyond concerns at Silver Glen, SOBR is afraid the practice of enacting SPZs will grow.
   “So they restrict the Glen, then what?,” Combs asked, noting other areas around Lake George and beyond that could see new restrictions put in place.
   The group is soliciting financial support to assist in the fight, and is looking to hire a lobbyist and attorneys to support its effort. So far, and estimated $10,000 has been raised, with up to $50,000 expected to be needed to maximize the potential for success. Those looking to support the effort can log onto sobrfl.org to learn more and donate.