The Florida Department of Environmental Protection engaged local governments, scientists, environmentalists, agricultural operators and other stakeholders yesterday in the first meeting designed to develop a restoration plan for Kings Bay.
The department has already adopted water quality restoration goals to address nutrient pollution in Kings Bay and five of its springs. Establishing these goals allowed the department to proceed to developing restoration programs and projects.
“Kings Bay represents one of Florida’s valuable water resources at risk,” said Tom Frick, director of the Division of Environmental Assessment and Restoration . “ It is imperative we bring stakeholders together regularly to learn about the issues, develop restoration project options and link this effort with other ongoing protection programs.”
This meeting represents the first in a series in order to incorporate public involvement in the development of the Kings Bay restoration plan.
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Press Release, April 24, 2014