Blue Springs, Volusia Co.

[FW]

BLUE SPRING WORKING GROUP

FUTURE SCENARIOS EXERCISE

Thursday, March 31, 2011 10:00-4:00 with lunch break

Downtown DeLand in the Historic Courthouse

Given best-case and worst-case scenarios for Blue Spring 30 years from now, describe what would need to happen, starting now, for these hypothetical scenarios to occur.

Purpose OF the EXERCISE
To help stakeholders realize that decisions being made now can result in Blue Spring being restored to a “Fountain of Prosperity” or degraded to a “Stagnant Cesspool”.

HOW IT WORKS
·Read the two Future Scenarios (below) for Blue Spring 30 years from now. These scenarios are intended to be hypothetical yet realistic.

·Before the March 31 meeting, imagine realistic events, decisions, and forces that could lead to each Future Scenario.

·At the March 31 meeting, small groups (2 for worst–case scenario, 2 for best-case scenario) will list events, decisions, and forces that could lead to their Future Scenario. Each group will be assisted by a skilled facilitator provided for this meeting by the coordinator.

·Each small group will compose a story describing what led to their scenario, and will then tell its story chronologically to the Blue Spring Working Group.

·Facilitators will record and document lists and stories. We will discuss how the stories might be used to help Blue Spring.

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For more information, contact the Working Group Coordinator, Carol Lippincott, at (352) 377-8693 or Carol_Lippincott@cox.net and go to http://share2.myfwc.com/spring/default.aspx.

*Coordination of the Blue Spring Working Group is funded through the Wildlife Legacy Initiative of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (http://www.myfwc.com/WILDLIFEHABITATS/Legacy_index.htm), with a matching contribution provided by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (http://www.floridasprings.org/).

FUTURE SCENARIOS

FOR

BLUE SPRING IN WEST VOLUSIA COUNTY

Year 2041 Best-Case Scenario

FOUNTAIN Of PROSPERITY

Year 2041 Worst-Case Scenario

STAGNANT CESSPOOL

Environmental Context

Water in Blue Spring flows so abundantly that it sometimes forms a roiling mound at the spring boil.
Blue Spring is no longer a spring – it is a stagnant pool covered by dark river water.
Groundwater flowing into Blue Spring is cleaner than in most of the country.
Groundwater flowing into Blue Spring contains toxic contaminants that are harmful to fish and wildlife.

Economic Context

Public water supply in west Volusia County is clean, affordable, and sufficient.
Drinking water must be imported because groundwater is unfit for human consumption.
The standard of living in west Volusia County is significantly higher than the national average.
Businesses abandon west Volusia County because water is contaminated, expensive, and insufficient.

Social Context

Blue Spring is the hub of community identity, valued for family and civic gatherings, religious ceremonies, spiritual retreats, and interacting with nature.
Blue Spring State Park is sold and converted to a facility to pump and treat river water for public water supply.
Communities in west Volusia County are proud that they use less water than in most parts of the country.
Children in west Volusia County think that Blue Spring is a fairy tale and that water naturally comes from tanker trucks.

Political Context

Blue Spring is declared a National Natural Treasure, and Volusia County receives the President’s Wise With Water award.
The loss of Blue Spring and contamination of groundwater is cited nationally as an example of lack of leadership.
There is broad and consistent voter support for protection of groundwater and Blue Spring.
Voters are not concerned about groundwater protection or Blue Spring.

[sskasser]

Wow! That's close to home. It has really gone down in the last few years. I like the forward thinking idea!

[cavedivingwoman]

Did anyone attend this meeting? Diving Blue Springs during a flood first attracted me to cave diving. I also chose it as the grave for my wedding ring after the divorce. When it is kicking, it really rocks. I'm interested in hearing what happened and what plans are under consideration to turn it into a cess pool.

Business and governments will sell their souls (and the source of all life) to make a buck. 'Just guessing, but I'll bet that this is the case.
Barbara