 Crystal River King's Bay
A Natural Wonder in Distress
The Crystal River/King's Bay system is one of the most complex and unique natural resources in the State
of Florida. This system derives its water source from the Crystal River Springs
group, a complex network of over 30 major springs, which discharges an average
of over 975 cubic feet per second of fresh water into King's Bay.
The Crystal River then emerges from the northwest end of King's Bay through saltmarsh estuaries
and travels westward six miles into the Gulf of Mexico. This, combined with
the Chassahowitzka, Homosassa, Hall's and Withlacoochee rivers feeds one of
the largest remaining saltmarsh estuary systems left along the US gulf coast.
The freshwater discharge of the springs mixes with tidal waters from the Gulf of Mexico creating
a diverse tapestry of changing ecosystems that supports a highly productive
ecosystem utilized by a broad array of animals, plants, and salt and freshwater
fish. The Crystal River and King's Bay is world renowned for its wintering
population of the endangered Florida manatee. During peak periods the population
has exceeded 250 animals that depend on the 72-degree spring discharge to keep
warm during cold spells.
 For those who have known and interacted
with the Crystal River system, there is the sad knowledge that it has declined
from the crystal clear waters and clean white sand bottoms of the past. New
visitors will still marvel at this amazing system, but then quickly develop
a foreboding as deep as that of the area residents when they are told of its
decline and see first hand the impacts that threaten it.
The decline of Crystal River/King's Bay is a result of impacts that have occurred over the
last 50 years. The causes are both bold and subtle, but always share a common
linkage to man and the development that travels with us.
While Crystal River/King's Bay is in distress, there is hope that through proper management, public education,
and cultural change, we can halt its decline and perhaps even reverse the degradation.
This website is dedicated to that cause and is the product of the many governmental
agencies, community groups, residents, and visitors willing to aid in restoring
the health of this unique Florida treasure. Please take the time to learn about
Crystal River/ King's Bay, its history, current state, and its future. It is
our hope that you will join us in protecting and restoring this wondrous product
of nature.
Jurisdiction Over Crystal River/King's Bay
There are four government agencies with direct jurisdiction over Crystal River/King's Bay and
its springshed and many additional agencies that oversee specific issues, conditions,
or activities or conduct research/restoration efforts. Provided below is a
short description of each government entity.
City of Crystal River
The City of Crystal River is an incorporated
local government that wraps around the eastern and northern shores of Crystal
River/King's Bay. The City controls all planning, zoning, and land use decisions,
as well as implementation and enforcement of local codes within their jurisdiction.
The City is governed by an elected board of five City Council members, a Mayor,
the City Manager, and City staff.
Citrus County
Citrus County Government oversees all
planning, zoning, and other land use decisions, as well as implementation of
enforcement of local codes for the unincorporated areas of the County. This
includes the western and southern shores of Crystal River/King's Bay, as well
as those lands within the springshed that do not lie within either the City
of Crystal River or the City of Inverness. An elected Board of Five County
Commissioners, the County Administrator, and County staff governs the County.
Department of Environmental Protection
The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) is the lead state agency involved in water quality, pollution control,
and resource recovery programs. The Department sets state water quality standards
and has permit jurisdiction over point and non-point source discharges, certain
dredge and fill activities, drinking water systems, power plant siting, and
many construction activities conducted within waters of the state. The Department
also interacts closely with other federal and state agencies, including the
Southwest Florida Water Management District, on
water-related matters.
 Crystal
River Buffer Preserve
The Division of State Lands oversees the management of state lands, including state parks.
There are three significant holdings of this type in the Crystal River/King's
Bay area. Much of the coastal uplands west of US-19 surrounding the Bay and
River are publicly owned and managed as the Crystal
River State (Buffer Preserve) Park. These lands were acquired to protect
the health and integrity of the wetlands and surface waters contained in the St.
Martin's Marsh Aquatic Preserve. The final tract emphasizes the long-term
presence and use of the River by humans and that is the Crystal River State Archaeological
Site .
US. Department of Interior
The primary water-related functions performed by this agency involve the review of proposed activities
which may impact threatened or endangered species, review of US Army Corps of
Engineers permits for potential effects on fish and wildlife, and management
of all federally-owned public lands. Within the department, the US Geological
Survey conducts investigations concerning hydrology, hydrogeology, water use,
and ground and surface water quality. The
US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) manages and
restores fish and wildlife populations and conducts research on the effects
of pollution on those resources. The National Park Service maintains federal
parks and sanctuaries, regulating multiple uses on these lands to achieve a
balance of benefits for both man and wildlife. The department also oversees
those requests and offshore activities associated with exploration and development
on the outer continental shelf.
 Within the Crystal River/King's Bay system, the USFWS manages the Crystal
River National Wildlife Refuge, 20 small islands, and the surrounding surface
waters and springs that are critical to the area's wildlife – in particular
the Florida manatee.
In addition to the above listed agencies that have direct jurisdiction over the lands or waters
within Crystal River/King's Bay and its springshed, there are a number of agencies
which have jurisdiction over one or more areas of impact which involve the Crystal
River/King's Bay system, its springshed, or natural resources within the system.
Provided below is a short description of each government entity.
Many state agencies are involved in environmental regulation and resource management in the Crystal
River/King's Bay watershed and estuary. The Florida Department of Environmental
Protection is the lead state agency in the protection and management of Crystal
River/King's Bay. Other relevant entities include the agencies listed below.
Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (DACS)
The Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services,
through its Division of Agriculture and Environmental Services (AES) regulates
the registration and use of pesticides, including the purchase of restricted
pesticides, maintains registration and quality control of fertilizers, regulates
pest control operations, mosquito control, and evaluates and manages environmental
impacts associated with agrichemicals.
Withlacoochee State Forest
 Through the Division of Forestry, the DACS is responsible for developing Best Management Practices
(BMPs) to control forestry-related non-point source pollution. The Division of
Forestry is also responsible for statewide implementation of BMPs and for monitoring
public and private forestry operations to determine BMP compliance and effectiveness.
Florida's State Forests and other parcels of public land are managed by the Division
of Forestry.
The Division of Plant Industry is responsible for, among other duties, regulating the movement
of noxious weeds and, with input from the Endangered Plant Advisory Council,
protecting endangered, threatened or commercially exploited plant species.
The Office of Water Policy Coordination is responsible for participating in water policy issues
to ensure the availability of an adequate supply and quality of water for the
production of food and fiber. The office cooperates with agencies and agricultural
producers to make available streamlined agricultural regulatory processes and
voluntary, incentive-based, acceptable alternatives and agricultural BMPs consistent
with the sustainability of agriculture and resource conservation. The office
provides assistance to Soil and Water Conservation Districts, including the
Tampa and the Manatee River Districts, in carrying out conservation activities
at the local and watershed level, and providing improved local delivery of resource
management services to agricultural producers. The office facilitates the participation
of Soil and Water Conservation Districts in water-related issues at the county
or watershed level.
Department of Community Affairs
The Department of Community Affairs is responsible
for reviewing local comprehensive plans and has jurisdiction over developments
of regional impact (DRIs). DRI investigations are concerned with proposed developments
that have the potential to affect the health, safety, or welfare of citizens
of more than one county.
The Comprehensive Plans of Citrus County and the City of Crystal River have been reviewed by the
DCA and are in compliance with the Local Comprehensive Planning Act.
Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission (FFWCC)
 The Florida
Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission has responsibility for conserving
the state's freshwater aquatic life, marine life, and wild animal life all under
a single agency. The Florida Marine Research Institute (FMFI), the Office of
Fisheries Management and Assistance Services (OFMAS) and the Bureau of Protected
Species Management are all sub-agencies with the FFWCC.
The FMRI conducts studies throughout the Crystal River/King's Bay with respect to habitat quality
(e.g., marsh and seagrass habitats), habitat utilization and value with respect
to important fisheries, and fish population dynamics and stock assessment.
 The Bureau of Protected
Species Management, with responsibility for managing imperiled marine life,
is part of the FFWCC's Office of Environmental Services. The Endangered Species
Section, which covers all other Florida protected wildlife, is part of the new
agency's Division of Wildlife.
The FFWCC Enforcement Section is encharged with enforcing saltwater, freshwater, and wildlife laws.
They also serve as the enforcement agency for the Florida Endangered and Threatened
Species Act and the Oil Spill Prevention and Pollution Control Act, and enforces
state motorboat laws and the saltwater fisheries regulations of the Commission.
Department of Health
The Department of Health is responsible for
the permitting of septic systems and other on-site disposal systems (OSDS) through
its county health departments.
Department of Transportation
The Department of Transportation's Project
Development and Environmental offices assist in the design, review, and permitting
of road and right-of-way projects in the Crystal River/King's Bay region.
Florida Sea Grant Program
 The Florida Sea Grant Program is supported by
awards from the Office of Sea Grant National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
(NOAA) under provisions of the National Sea Grant College and Programs Act of
1966. The Florida Sea Grant Program has three major components: applied marine
research, education, and advisory services (through local marine extension agents).
Florida Sea Grant provides scientific research and habitat-related information that is useful
in the management of Crystal River/King's Bay natural resources.
State AFFILIATED Agencies
Two state affiliated agencies exist that are involved in the implementation of the Crystal River/King's
Bay Surface Water Improvement Management plan (SWIM). These agencies are the
Withlacoochee Regional Planning Council and the Southwest Florida Water Management
District.
Withlacoochee Regional Planning Council
The Withlacoochee Regional Planning Council is
the Regional Planning Agency designated in Section 186.505 of the Florida Statutes.
It performs the responsibilities described in that section and the Regional
Planning Agency roles assigned in Section 380.05, F.S. (Resource Planning Committees,
DRI reviews and Ch. 163, Local Plan Reviews).
Southwest Florida Water Management District
The Southwest Florida Water Management
District is responsible for performing duties assigned under Ch. 373, F.S.,
as well as duties delegated through FDEP for Ch. 253 and 403, F.S., and for
local plan review (Ch. 163, F.S.).
Federal
Federal jurisdiction in Crystal River/King's Bay involves the regulatory responsibilities of the
US Army Corps of Engineers, the US. Environmental Protection Agency, the US
Coast Guard, the US Fish and Wildlife Service, and the US. Department of Interior
(which coordinates its many agriculture-related activities with those of the
Florida Department of Agriculture and consumer Services). Their main regulatory
functions include overseeing dredge and fill activities, maintaining navigability
of the waters of the United States, overseeing cleanup following pollution spills,
protecting endangered species, protecting overall environmental quality, and
managing offshore activities. These agencies, in conjunction with the US Geological
Survey and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, also contribute
to the collection of technical data concerning Crystal River/King's Bay and
its watershed.
US Army Corps of Engineers
The US Army Corps of Engineers is concerned
with all activities which affect navigable waters of the United States, particularly
those involving construction of structures and dredging and filling in navigable
waters. The Corps is also involved in permitting the placement of dredge and
fill material into navigable waters and adjacent wetlands, and in funding aquatic
plant control in navigable and public waters.
US Environmental Protection Agency
The US Environmental Protection Agency is the primary
federal agency responsible for water quality protection. The agency oversees
hazardous waste cleanups, protection of public drinking water systems, all point
source pollutant discharges into waters of the United States (National Pollutant
Discharge Elimination System permits), and the protection and restoration of
surface and groundwater. The agency also reviews Corps of Engineers permit
activities, sets minimum quality standards, and sets guidelines for state environmental
programs. EPA also funds sewerage facilities' studies through Regional Planning
Councils and system improvements through the Florida Department of Environmental
Protection.
US Coast Guard
 The US Coast Guard is the primary federal agency entrusted
with marine law enforcement. The Guard's mission also includes hazardous materials
cleanups, search and rescue, buoy replacement, vessel safety inspection, and
right-of-way clearance on navigable waterways.
US Department of Commerce
 Within
the Department of Commerce, the National Oceanic
and Atmospheric Administration, which includes the National Weather Service
and the National Hurricane Center, is a scientific and data collection agency
which assimilates oceanographic and meteorological information in the form of
maps, charts, interpretive reports, and other documents. The National Marine
Fisheries Service administers NOAA's program to manage living marine resources
for commercial and recreational use. It supports fisheries management operations,
international fisheries affairs, fishery development, trade, and industry assistance
activities, habitat conservation activities, and scientific and technical aspects
of NOAA's marine fisheries resources programs.
CLICK HERE TO:
|
