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New Twist In Silver Glen Boating Debate

    The future of recreational boating in the Silver Glen Run will remain unknown beyond the upcoming meeting of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.  The commission will meet beginning on May 21 in Ocala, and was previously set to vote on a proposed spring protection zone designation for Silver Glen Springs.  That agenda item has been pulled, however, pending a potential change in state law that could make it harder for the FWC to eliminate boating uses from springs.
    Citing environmental concerns, FWC staff had recommended implementing an SPZ in Silver Glen earlier this year.
    “This decision comes in light of recent legislation passed by the Florida Legislature that proposes changes to the statutory requirements for establishing SPZs,” said Robert Klepper of the FWC. “Although this legislation has not yet been signed into law by the governor, it includes significant revisions - specifically, that any harm caused by vessels must be both significant and the predominant source of harm to a spring before an SPZ can be established. If signed by the governor, this legislation would take effect July 1.”
    Without time to implement the ‘current law’ SPZ by July 1, the FWC has decided to wait and see if the new law comes into effect before any further action is taken.  
    Lake County Commission chair Leslie Campione toured Silver Glen on Monday and applauded the FWC’s action.
    "I believe the new legislation is positive because it creates a higher threshold for limiting boater access but provides FWC with greater flexibility to establish rules for anchoring if FWC deems it necessary," Campione said.  "The prior language was ambiguous and vague, and the SPZ designation would have eliminated all mooring or anchoring.  The new language may result in anchoring restrictions if certain findings are made but it appears to allow FWC to establish alternatives versus an all-out ban."
    The potential of an SPZ being implemented in Silver Glen caused an uproar in the last year.  Once in place, the SPZ would eliminate anchoring, mooring, or grounding of boats inside the run, effectively outlawing the longstanding 'stay and play' aspects of recreational boating and day-tripping to the Glen.  The SPZ  proposal had met with some public support, but was more broadly opposed by boating enthusiasts and even area governments, who cited the concern over potential negative impacts to local economies should the SPZ be implemented.  
    Campione said going forward she would like to see Lake County help make the area more suitable.
    “I believe Lake County will continue to focus on ways to make a trip to the Springs a more natural experience with less opportunities for confrontations by adopting a ‘non-amplification zone’ or reasonable ‘quiet zone’ ordinance.  However, this will only be effective if Marion County will join with us in this effort and I am reaching out to my counterparts to see whether they are interested in collaborating on this effort.”
    Campione added that she would like to see the county work with the US Forest Service, yet another agency involved at Silver Glen, to make bathroom facilities available for boater use.
    “The ultimate goal is to protect the springs and surrounding areas from degradation.”
     FWC staff are expected to continue monitoring the progress of proposed legislation and will revisit the Silver Glen proposal ‘once there is clarity on the statutory requirements for SPZ establishment’.