CRYSTAL RIVER, Fla. — A local effort is underway to protect Citrus County’s waters.

The Sierra Club Florida Chapter recently hosted a special boat tour of areas along Kings Bay in an effort to protect and improve Florida’s waterways.

What You Need To Know

  • The Sierra Club Florida Chapter hosted a special boat tour of areas along Kings Bay in an effort to protect and improve Florida’s waterways

  • Part of that mission included inviting some key stakeholders and local officials along for the ride
  • Experts say the waters play a crucial role in Citrus County’s economy and wildlife, like manatees, which serve an important role in the area's tourism
  • Those with the Sierra Club say they hope local officials and key decision makers will take action to help get the springs on the road to recovery

Officials with the Sierra Club say things like hurricanes, development and fertilizer runoff have all contributed to the problems seen at places like Kings Bay. Among them are erosion, algae growth and reductions in seagrass, which manatees rely on to survive.

Outside PaddleTail Lodge, the group gathered to tour the area's waterways. Organizers said to better understand what’s happening to it, one has to actually touch the water's surface.

“Really to help connect the dots as far as what’s going on within our springs, and how different stakeholders and groups are working together to help restore our springs to their former glory,” said Michael McGrath, a lead organizer with the Sierra Club Florida Chapter.

Part of that mission included inviting some key stakeholders along for the ride, under the guidance of Capt. John Spann with PaddleTail Waterfront Adventures, who has witnessed firsthand how the waters have changed throughout the years.

“It’s everything,” said Spann. “It’s the fertilizer we put on our yard, it’s our septic tank when we flush our toilet, it’s the city water sources if they’re using them and how they’re being managed, it’s golf courses, it’s agriculture. Everybody plays a part and the more we realize that we’re all part of the problem, the easier it is to make everybody be part of the solution.” 

It’s those waters that play such a crucial role in Citrus County’s economy. Without these springs, there would not be any manatees — which are a significant part of the area’s tourism.

“We know what we’re doing is a problem,” Spann said. “It’s trying to get back ahead of that curve to protect the ones we do have left, especially up here in North Florida.”

Some of those areas impacted on the water are noticeable from the surface, including spots of erosion that have taken place along the shore.

“Being on the water today, it all became a tremendous reality of what’s happened,” said Citrus County Chamber of Commerce Vice President Ardath Prendergast. “The erosion, to me, emphasizes how important it is that we all play our part to protect this area.”

And Spann said the solution starts with getting everyone on board.

“Just educate people,” he said. “Most people don’t know that if they fertilize their yard 30 yards away from the springs, it can affect that water system. So just letting people know how this interconnected system works.”

Those with the Sierra Club say they hope local officials and key decision makers take action to help get the springs on the road to recovery.