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For Econfina Recreational Springs Complex
Bill Cleckley, Director, Division of Land Management and Acquisition for the Northwest Florida Water Management District, describing plans for restoration and protection measures for the Econfina Springs Complex (Pitt, Sylvan and Williford springs) at a Public Workshop held at Pitt Springs on Saturday, May 12.
"Over the years, we've been loving the springs to death," Mr. Cleckley said. "Now, we've got to take steps to protect and restore these vital natural resources."Planning began over a year ago. The Genesis Group engineering firm was retained to work with Water Management staff to develop a comprehensive spring restoration and protection program. The resulting conceptual designs/sketches encompass the Pitt, Sylvan and Williford Spring recreational areas and related Econfina Creek banks. The workshop was presented "on the ground" so participants could see actual examples of adverse recreation impacts and how planned spring restoration and protection measures will affect existing recreational areas.
Restoration and protection efforts will address soil erosion areas where unauthorized recreational use has eroded spring and creek banks, exposed bare roots, damaged trees and silted spring vents. Spring restoration and protection recreation facilities will be designed to provide a high quality recreational experience, while protecting the water resources of the area, especially waters that residents in the area will eventually use for drinking, bathing and cooking.
The workshop began in the Pitt Spring area. In an effort to restore the spring to a more natural state and condition, conceptual designs for this area call for removing the spring's retaining wall and then stabilizing the bank with limestone rocks and native vegetation. Access to the spring will be permitted at one location. 
Boardwalks will limit access to sensitive areas. A canoe/tube dock at creek side will be expanded and ladders will be added. A second pavilion is planned and restrooms with composting toilets will be installed.
Along the path to Sylvan Spring, significant creek bank damage and erosion was pointed out. Just below the Sylvan Spring-run, the District plans to construct a tube launch dock with ladders. This will be built for tubing from the Sylvan Spring-run to Pitt Spring. An overlook deck with seating, an ADA boardwalk connection to Pitt Spring and a nature trail to Williford Springs are on the drawing boards.
At Williford Spring, planned restoration and protection 
measures include picnic gazebos, restrooms with composting toilets, partial spring bank restoration and an ADA accessible elevated boardwalk with handrails and seating.
Swimming access at the spring is proposed. A canoe dock will be available to allow canoeists and kayakers to dock at the end of the spring-run and walk to the spring for viewing and swimming.
Once the restoration and protection plans are finalized, work will be done in phases over several years. Most construction will occur in the wintertime when visitor traffic to these areas is very low. Hopefully, the final design for Phase I (Pitt Spring) will be completed over the summer with construction planned for the late fall and winter of 2007/2008, subject to permitting. At this point, the NWFWMD is looking for feedback from the public on these plans. They can be contacted by calling 850-539-5999. Please ask for Bill Cleckley or Tyler Macmillan.