Tallahassee-Leon County Wakulla Springs Initiative
The land area that supplies water to Wakulla Spring includes major portions of Tallahassee and Leon County. Nitrogen concentrations have risen in the Spring over the last decade, contributing to the documented degradation of water quality and loss of habitat at the springhead and upper reaches of the spring run. The City of Tallahassee and Leon County have taken action towards alleviation of some of the nitrogen related problems occurring in Wakulla Springs and our groundwater. Here you will find information on programs, projects, and initiatives undertaken by the City and County.
Background
Brief History of Wakulla Spring Protection from 2002 through Early 2009
A brief chronicle of groundwater protection beginning with issue identification in a 2002 Northwest Florida Water Management District Report and ending with the adoption of new Comprehensive Plan polices for Wakulla Spring protection by the Leon County Board of County Commissioners and City of Tallahassee City Commission.
2007 Evaluation and Appraisal Report
The planning process and report that established protection of Wakulla Spring and our groundwater as major community issues and provided policy recommendations for amendments to the Comprehensive Plan.
Comprehensive Plan Policies for the Protection of Wakulla Spring
Policy language and supporting staff report for the Comprehensive Plan policies that resulted form the 2007 Evaluation and Appraisal Report recommendations. These policies were adopted by both the City Commission and Board of County Commissioners on January 7, 2009 and became effective on April 10, 2009.
2009 Wakulla Springshed Restoration Workshop
This February 2009 workshop built on the previous May 2005 workshop that focused on disseminating scientific evidence linking water quality decline at Wakulla Springs with land use practices in the region. The main objective of the 2009 workshop was to bring local governments together to discuss and commit to exploring solutions and finding opportunities to reduce wastewater impacts.