The Florida Senate took a monumental step to reconnect and help restore a 217-mile river system extending from the headwaters at Lake Apopka to the Atlantic Ocean near Jacksonville. This project would reconnect Silver Springs with the Ocklawaha and St. Johns Rivers.
The Senate Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government approved its FY 2025-26 subcommittee budget that included $6.25 million for Ocklawaha River restoration. The proviso language requires that the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) develop a project plan for restoring the Ocklawaha River by July 1, 2026. In addition, it directs FDEP to lead planning and complete construction by December 31, 2035.
The benefits of the Ocklawaha River Restoration Project include:
1. Generate approximately $200 million in cumulative economic benefits long-term and hundreds of local jobs in Northeast Florida in the near term, particularly in rural Putnam and east Marion counties.
2. Eliminate the threat of dam failure and significant flooding that could result in loss of life and property for downstream communities.
3. Strengthen the Ocala to Osceola (O2O) portion of the Florida Wildlife Corridor.
4. Complete the largest springs restoration project in the state, benefiting Florida’s largest spring – Silver Springs – and the 20 lost springs of the Ocklawaha River.
5. Return native fish populations and expand outdoor recreational opportunities.
6. Support healthier, more resilient lower St. Johns, Ocklawaha and Silver rivers and springs.
Regional leaders are applauding the move by Senate leadership.
“Reconnecting Silver Springs and the Ocklawaha and St. Johns rivers provides expanded opportunities for Putnam County. It opens new areas for bank fishing, camping, and wildlife viewing, more long-distance boating opportunities, family-friendly springs and manatee spotting, and unique fishing experiences. Economists estimate the project will generate some $200 million in cumulative economic benefits long-term and hundreds of local jobs in Northeast Florida in the near term, particularly in rural Putnam and east Marion counties,” said Linda Myers, Former Putnam County Tax Collector and County Commissioner, and local businesswoman
“Blocking fish and boating passage from the St. Johns River to Silver Springs severely impacted our beloved Silver Springs and the surrounding community. Park attendance went down, our giant catfish and other fish species were diminished, and the overall health of our beautiful springs declined. Restoration will drive more tourist dollars to our region and help revitalize Silver Springs and the surrounding community,” said Jo Layman, Founding member of the Ocala Chamber and Economic Partnership and lead organizer for the successful Marion County tourism tax, Former marketing director at Florida Silver Springs
“Thank you, Florida Senate, for protecting the people of this region,” said Jessica Finch, Former Mayor and Councilwoman for the Town of Welaka. “As former Welaka mayor and city councilwoman, my biggest fear was the threat of a dam failure and the risk to our people and property. Restoring the Ocklawaha by breaching the dam will eliminate this flood risk and add thousands of acres of natural flood storage,”
“This visionary action by the Florida Senate should be applauded throughout the state,” said Evan Tucker, Duval County Businessman, Co-Founder of Cowford Conservation, and Outdoorsman. “As an avid fisherman and outdoorsman, I have seen a decline in the water quality and fish and shellfish habitat in the lower St. Johns River from Palatka to Jacksonville. We are on the precipice of our ecosystem collapsing in the same way we saw it happen in South Florida. We must increase the amount of freshwater in our estuaries. It is time to put this magnificent river system back to how it was intended.”
“As Ocala City Councilman, I am committed to maintaining a high quality of life for our residents and a memorable experience for our visitors,” said Ocala Councilman Jim Hilty. “Our springs and rivers are an essential part of this. Maintaining the beauty and resilience of Silver Springs depends on a free-flowing Ocklawaha River. Thank you, Florida Senate, for ensuring the quality of life for our community by restoring the Ocklawaha River and historic Silver Springs State Park.”
Julie Wraithmell, Executive Director, Audubon Florida, said “Audubon celebrates this progress towards restoration of the Ocklawaha River, which would breathe new life into the ecology and economy of this essential North Florida watershed. This is an important first step, and we are grateful for this leadership on behalf of future generations of wildlife and people alike.
Restoration of the Ocklawaha River is a critical step in achieving the goals of the Florida Wildlife Corridor, and The Nature Conservancy in Florida celebrates the Senate’s proposed appropriation.
Additionally, the reconnection of Silver Springs with the Ocklawaha and St. Johns Rivers will lead to meaningful restoration of the watershed and increased flows to the St. Johns River and estuary. We thank the Florida Senate for their leadership in stewarding our state’s important ecosystems and water resources. – Greg Knecht, Executive Director, The Nature Conservancy in Florida.
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