SOME OF FOWR’s MOST RECENT ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Facilitating Recreation Opportunities

  • Planned a new pavilion on the Wekiva River at Katie’s Landing and raised $80,000 for construction.

  • Partnered with Lake County to acquire portions of Lake May Preserve to educate public about groundwater protection.

Protecting the Wekiva River and its Tributary Springs

  • Continued sponsoring the federally designated Wekiva Wild and Scenic River System, the only Partnership Wild and Scenic River in Florida.

  • Organized campaign to engage FDEP, the SJRWMD, FDOT, EPA, Seminole County, and state and federal legislators to provide funding to clean up sand deposits in Little Wekiva River downstream from SR 434.

  • Filed objections to proposed FDEP rules for groundwater withdrawals within Central Florida that would allow over-pumping of groundwater and reduce flows to springs and the Wekiva River.

  • Worked with FDOT to have signage placed along SR 46 informing drivers when they are entering and leaving the Wekiva River Protection Area.

Advocating for Responsible Growth

  • Joined with other conservation groups to convince Lake County to hold off on staff’s proposed comprehensive plan amendment that would have allowed high-density Planned Unit Developments (PUDs) within the Wekiva Protection Area.

  • Convinced Seminole County Commission to reject staff-approved plans to build a WAWA in the Wekiva Protection Area.

  • Convinced Lake County Commission to reject a proposed expansion of an assisted living facility with densities exceeding those allowed within the Wekiva Protection Area in east Lake County.

  • Represented FOWR at numerous City and County Commission meetings to advocate for responsible growth management and protection of prime recharge areas within the Wekiva Study Area.

  • Advocated for controlling land use changes within the Rural Protection Areas of Lake County.

  • Objected to plans by Eustis to eliminate agricultural and rural residential land use categories and allow increased impervious areas within other land uses.

  • Assisted in updating county code language to tighten up rules for arbor protection and clustering of single-family homes within the Wekiva River Basin.

  • Worked with County Commissioners to help pass the Seminole Forever initiative.

  • Worked with various organizations to quickly stop SJRWD effort to illegally sell off publicly acquired protected rural area parcels.