WUFT · Suwannee River Management To Make Decision On Ginnie Springs Bottling Permit
Seven Springs, a company contracted by multinational corporation Nestlé, will soon know if it will be granted a permit to take nearly one million gallons of water a day from Ginnie Springs in Florida. A special meeting has been scheduled by the Suwannee River Water Management District Board to make a decision.
As deliberations reach an ending, many Floridians have gone online to voice their opinions on the Seven Springs permit. Michael Roth, the president of Our Santa Fe River, said over 19,000 public comments have been sent to the board regarding this decision. He says the springs can't afford any more withdrawals.
The public is invited to speak at the board meeting, however some are concerned that this in-person meeting will be unsafe amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The board's communications director, Lindsey Covington, says proper precautions will be taken.
However, the director of Florida Springs Council Ryan Smart sees the in-person-only meeting as a way to limit the public's concerns.
The meeting will be held on Feb. 23 at 9 a.m. in the Suwannee River Fair pavilion.