FLORIDA GEOLOGICAL SURVEY


 Figure 2. Springs Task Force members at Madison Blue Spring (photo by T. Scott).

agement districts, a state university, a regional planning council, the business community,
and private citizens, met monthly from September 1999 to September 2000 (Figure 2). These
scientists, planners, and other citizens exchanged information on the many factors that
impact the viability of Florida's springs and the ecosystems that the springs support. They
listened to guest speakers with expertise in topics relating to spring health. They discussed
the conflicting environmental, social, and economic interests that exist in all of Florida's
spring basins.

 The Task Force members participated in the February 2000 Florida Springs
Conference, Natural Gems Troubled Waters, attended by over 300 people, including sci-
entists, business owners, representatives of environmental groups, and residents from all
over Florida. During the months that the Task Force met, they developed recommendations
for the preservation and restoration of Florida's rich treasury of springs. The implementa-
tion of the recommendations contained in the Task Force report (Florida Springs Task
Force, 2000) will help ensure that Florida's "bowls of liquid light" will sparkle for the grand-
children of the children who play in Florida's springs today.

 The 2001 Florida Legislature passed the Florida Springs Initiative authorizing funds
for the Department of Environmental Protection to begin investigating the status of Florida
springs and strategies for protecting this precious resource.