Florida Senate - 2015 (NP) SR 1610 By Senator Dean 5-02215-15 20151610__ 1 Senate Resolution 2 A resolution recognizing April 2015 as “Springs 3 Protection Awareness Month” in Florida. 4 5 WHEREAS, Florida’s springs are essential to the 6 environment, economy, and residents of, and visitors to, this 7 state, and 8 WHEREAS, Florida’s aquifer, one of the most productive in 9 the world, supports more than 700 natural springs, giving this 10 state the world’s highest concentration of springs, and 11 WHEREAS, more than 93 percent of Florida residents rely on 12 this groundwater supply and its vital role in the state’s 13 economy, and 14 WHEREAS, springs are a natural resource that must be 15 protected because they reflect groundwater conditions and 16 provide an important habitat for wildlife, including species 17 listed as threatened or endangered under the Endangered Species 18 Act, and 19 WHEREAS, springs provide important recreational resources 20 and opportunities that are enjoyed by residents and visitors 21 alike, and 22 WHEREAS, Florida’s springs discharge more than 8 billion 23 gallons of water each day, which is essential for sustaining 24 spring runs and associated receiving water bodies, and 25 WHEREAS, healthy springs reflect the State of Florida’s 26 commitment to sustain and protect ground and surface water 27 resources, NOW, THEREFORE, 28 29 Be It Resolved by the Senate of the State of Florida: 30 31 That April 2015 is recognized as “Springs Protection 32 Awareness Month” in Florida, and all levels of government are 33 encouraged to support springs protection, restoration, and 34 preservation awareness.