Spraying: Your Chance to Voice Your Concerns
Recently, the St. Johns River Water Management District (SJRWMD) released a draft proposal for management of the Middle Basin of the St. Johns River.
Included in this proposal are a number of ways to reduce nutrient pollution throughout the river. Chemical treatments and rough fish reduction are in place, however, no plan exists for responsible removal of problem plants. Currently, those plants are sprayed with toxic herbicides and left in place to rot, making the situation worse.
Our data shows: aquatic herbicide spraying increases nutrient pollution, while physical removal of invasive plants greatly reduces pollution.
This is where you come in. Public comment on the proposal is now open and your voice matters. It’s up to us to push the Water Management District to transparently address nutrient pollution and move away from herbicide spraying.
Your comments don’t need to be long. Personal appeals are often the most effective. Consider asking SJRWMD to prioritize:
Improved water quality and wildlife habitat.
Utilizing mechanical plant removal to reduce nutrient pollution.
Working to improve submerged aquatic vegetation through holistic methods.
Management practices that reduce reliance on herbicides and limit nutrient recycling when treated vegetation is left to decay in the river.
Plants are filled with nutrients and can easily be removed.
Consider personalizing our sample comments below:
I support stronger restoration priorities in the 2026 Middle St. Johns River Basin Plan, especially actions that improve water quality, restore submerged aquatic vegetation, and rebuild fish and wildlife habitat.
Please prioritize science-based management, long-term monitoring, and restoration strategies that reduce reliance on herbicides, reduce nutrient loading and limit the recycling of nutrients back into the river when treated aquatic vegetation is left to decompose in place.
The river is important to our community, our fisheries, our wildlife, and future generations.
