TO: Honorable Mayor & Members of the North Port Commission
FROM: A. Jerome Fletcher II, ICMA-CM, MPA, City Manager
TITLE: Discussion and Possible Action Regarding Pursuing an Outstanding Florida Spring Designation for Warm Mineral Springs.
Recommended Action
Option 2: Continue utilizing local protection measures instead of pursuing the Outstanding Florida Spring (OFS) designation for Warm Mineral Springs (WMS).
City Commission Options
Option 1: Pursue legislative action to designate Warm Mineral Springs as an Outstanding Florida Spring.
* Pros:
o Establishes statewide recognition of Warm Mineral Springs (WMS).
o Could enable long-term regional coordination on water quality and water quantity management.
o Implements mandatory restoration actions if future impairment occurs, including Basin Management Action Plans (BMAP) strategies and nutrient reduction projects.
o May strengthen public awareness and environmental stewardship for WMS.
* Cons:
o WMS is a third-magnitude spring and does not currently meet automatic OFS criteria, requiring legislative amendment and potentially broad regional support.
o The OFS designation does not guarantee additional funding, and most applicable grants are already accessible to the City.
o If a BMAP is triggered, it may impose costly regulatory requirements on the City of North Port and surrounding municipalities and Counties, including wastewater, stormwater, and potential septic-to-sewer mandates.
o Could impose restrictions on development and other activities around , including potential swimming or water-use limitations.
o Would require long-term administrative workload for monitoring, reporting, and multi-jurisdictional coordination.
Option 2: Continue utilizing local protection measures instead of pursuing Outstanding Florida Spring designation.
* Pros:
o Provides greater flexibility to tailor protections to the City's specific needs and conditions.
o Avoids the regulatory burden and fiscal obligations associated with a BMAP...
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