ASTOR, Fla. – In a meeting that was well over capacity, hundreds of people packed tightly together inside the Astor Community Association Thursday to weigh in on the future use of the Silver Glen Springs.
The Springs, which is a popular attraction for boaters in the Ocala National Forest, could soon own the designation of a “spring protection zone,” which would prohibit boats from anchoring, mooring, or beaching in the Springs.
“We should exhaust all means necessary to look at all options before additional regulations are adopted,” said Danny Robbins, a Volusia County council member, during the meeting’s public comment period.
Robbins was one of hundreds who pleaded staff with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission to not designate the springs as a spring protection zone.
During President Joe Biden’s term, the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service asked the FWC to consider the designation.
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Weekend boaters have long frequented the “Glen” — as it’s affectionately called — and residents and business owners say the Springs is a vital boon to the local economy.
“We cannot jeopardize these peoples’ livelihoods,” said Don Dempsey, another Volusia County council member.
Many of the people who attended Thursday night wore matching orange shirts indicating they belonged to the group ‘Save Our Boating Rights.’
Although they were outnumbered by the opposition, supporters of the spring protection zone designation also stood to make their respective cases to FWC staff.
“I have watched how our waterways have declined since I was a child in the ‘80s,” said one woman, who advocated for the Springs to become a spring protection zone.
Supporters cited environmental concerns broached by the USDA in its original request. The Forest Service had cited boating-related shoreline deterioration.
Many opponents to the proposal have conceded that anchoring may have a detrimental effect on the shoreline, but they believe those concerns have been overblown.
FWC staff will present its findings to the FWC Commission in Ocala in May.
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