Withlacoochee Area Residents, Inc.
PO Box 350
Inglis, FL 34449

Mission Statement

To implement civic action to promote the common good of residents of the community with a focus on public awareness and responsible stewardship of regional water resources; the basis for all the natural systems that define Florida's Nature Coast.

River Committee

Today the Lower River is on the Integrated Water Quality Assessment (305b) list of Impaired Waters (303d) as are an additional 26 segments of the Withlacoochee River.  We are involved with numerous organizations in a struggle to correct this matter, among them is Florida Defenders of the Environment and the University of Florida Conservation Clinic and Water Clinic.

The organization has been involved with staff from the Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD) with the technical review of the Minimum Flows and Levels determination presently underway for the Withlacoochee River.  In conjunction with that we have engaged the District over the Regional Water Plan.  This process is required by Florida Statute but we consider the mandated time span of 20 years to be inadequate and we object to continued reliance upon ground water for public water supply due to the adverse impact this has on spring flow volume.

We have submitted a proposal to impound the Cross Florida Barge Canal to SWFWMD, the Citrus Waterways Restoration Task Force and the Withlacoochee Regional Water Supply Authority, the purpose of which is to provide for public water supply on a regional basis that will not adversely impact springs and the Lower Withlacoochee River.  This proposal will allow for partial restoration of system flows to the Lower River which were reduced by approximately 30% by the construction of the Barge Canal.  This proposal was adopted by the Water Supply Authority as a future alternative water supply source.  Development of this project is ongoing with regulatory agencies and boards with jurisdiction.

In 2007  many residents along the Withlacoochee below Lake Rousseau noted significant kills of native plants, invertebrates, and declines in fish activity. The River Task Force (now 'Committee') was created to address the problem and to express our deep concern regarding the ongoing herbicide applications in Lake Rousseau managed by the State.

In 2010 the 6th District Federal Court ruled in a suit brought by another party that herbicides were a pollutant and thus regulated by the Clean Water Act. This ruling stands after the Supreme Court refused to review the case and thus applications of herbicides require and NPDES permit and state regulators must develop Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) criteria for each herbicide used in its waters.  Our organization's review of this issue is ongoing.

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Dan Hilliard
Director
Withlacoochee Area Residents, Inc.(501.C3)
352/447-5434
Email