Media Day/Kickoff for the Springs Protection Zone at the Weeki Wachee River
April 26, 2024
Media Day/Kickoff for the Springs Protection Zone at the Weeki Wachee River
(Brooksville, FL) – Hernando County Government in conjunction with Southwest Florida Water Management District, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), and the Hernando County Sheriff’s Office are hosting a media day for the installment of the Springs Protection Zone signage on Thursday, May 2nd at 11am at Roger’s Park (7244 Shoal Line Blvd., Spring Hill, FL 34607). The Springs Protection Zone encompasses 5.61 miles from Rogers Park to the Weeki Wachee Springs State Park headsprings. Anchoring, beaching, grounding and mooring of vessels within the Springs Protection Zone is prohibited. With limited exceptions, most tubes and rafts are not considered vessels under Florida law.
FWC staff conducted site visits to the Weeki Wachee River and found evidence of harm occurring due to vessel activity along the spring run and enacted the rule establishing the Springs Protection Zone. The law will be enforced by agents from the Hernando County Sheriff’s Office and FWC who patrol the river. Visitors who violate Springs Protection Zone rules are subject to a $140 fine.
The Springs Protection Zone is designed to protect the river’s ecology and does not alter public access to the spring. It only regulates vessels, not the activities of people. Activities like swimming, snorkeling and floating on a raft or tube are permitted. Visitors are encouraged to use best practices to help protect the river such as not trampling vegetation, climbing on banks or trees, or discarding litter.
(Brooksville, FL) – Hernando County Government in conjunction with Southwest Florida Water Management District, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), and the Hernando County Sheriff’s Office are hosting a media day for the installment of the Springs Protection Zone signage on Thursday, May 2nd at 11am at Roger’s Park (7244 Shoal Line Blvd., Spring Hill, FL 34607). The Springs Protection Zone encompasses 5.61 miles from Rogers Park to the Weeki Wachee Springs State Park headsprings. Anchoring, beaching, grounding and mooring of vessels within the Springs Protection Zone is prohibited. With limited exceptions, most tubes and rafts are not considered vessels under Florida law.
FWC staff conducted site visits to the Weeki Wachee River and found evidence of harm occurring due to vessel activity along the spring run and enacted the rule establishing the Springs Protection Zone. The law will be enforced by agents from the Hernando County Sheriff’s Office and FWC who patrol the river. Visitors who violate Springs Protection Zone rules are subject to a $140 fine.
The Springs Protection Zone is designed to protect the river’s ecology and does not alter public access to the spring. It only regulates vessels, not the activities of people. Activities like swimming, snorkeling and floating on a raft or tube are permitted. Visitors are encouraged to use best practices to help protect the river such as not trampling vegetation, climbing on banks or trees, or discarding litter.
