Is the Blue Spring minimum flow regime designed to protect only manatees?
No. While the adequate protection of manatee habitat was the controlling factor in establishing the Blue Spring minimum flow regime, the minimum flow regime also will protect other water resource values. Rule 62-40.473(1), F.A.C., directs water management districts to consider the following water resource values: • Recreation in and on the water • Fish and wildlife habitats and the passage of fish • Estuarine resources • Transfer of detrital material • Maintenance of freshwater storage and supply • Aesthetic and scenic attributes • Filtration and absorption of nutrients and other pollutants • Sediment loads • Water quality • Navigation These values were evaluated in a report entitled, Human Use and Ecological Evaluation of the Recommended Minimum Flow Regime for Blue Spring and Blue Spring Run, Volusia County. Based on this report, the District concluded that these ecological and human use values would be protected by the Blue Spring minimum flow regime.
