- February 8, 2025
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1. Why did you get involved with the conservation of Spruce Creek?
A: I have always cared about the environment, and have been involved with Spruce Creek's conservation ever since attending Spruce Creek High School (graduating 2003). Back then, it was mostly clean-up efforts, but now my efforts focus on preventing further loss of Port Orange's dwindling natural areas and informing people about the city's declining ecosystem health.
2. In June, you and others filed a petition against the St. Johns River Water Management District regarding a residential development. How would this project impact Spruce Creek?
A: Many scientists and I believe the health of a waterway depends largely on the land surrounding it. As such, we as a City should do everything we can to protect these filtration lands so our water will be clean. The proposed Woodhaven development is a large project, eventually slated to cover hundreds of acres located in Spruce Creek's basin, a basin that is already highly overdeveloped. Spruce Creek is also already a polluted waterway according to the FDEP. Putting two and two together, it seems we need to draw the line somewhere, before Spruce Creek suffers irreversible damage.
3. You’ve mentioned Port Orange should implement a Basin Management Action Plan. What is this and why is it important?
A: According to the FDEP, a BMAP is a "blueprint" for restoring impaired waters by reducing pollutant loadings. Normally, they are instituted about a year after a study finds a problem. Spruce Creek has been impaired since at least 2008, but no BMAP has ever been made, so we are almost 10 years overdue.
4. Is it common for cities to have a BMAP?
A: Yes, the vast majority of areas in Florida, especially central Florida, have BMAPs if their water is polluted. Port Orange and a couple surrounding cities are not playing by the rules, and I believe this lack of care has led to great environmental damage in recent years, mainly from overdevelopment.
5. Has the creek been contaminated and, if so, from where?
A: There are many factors which contribute to nutrient contamination, and because of this no one seems to want to take responsibility. That is a major part of the problem. Partially, it is from road run-off, and partially from housing fertilizers, but in general, manmade causes. Removing the buffering wetlands also disturbs the ecosystem balance of Spruce Creek.
6. Would construction on South Williamson Boulevard affect conservation efforts?
A: Several neighbors have informed me about the lack of water flow and fewer animal sightings since the recent extension of South Williamson Boulevard was built, and that saddens me deeply. Back in 2014, a group of citizens and non-profits put up a heroic challenge against that section of the road's permit, but in the end, the big developers outspent us and won.
However, there are still plans to continue the road many miles further south and to bring about unsustainable development in the middle of our area's nature corridor, so getting future expansions of the road off the table should be a priority for all those concerned with our environment.
7. What do you propose the city do regarding Spruce Creek?
A: Stop approving developments in its waterbasin, now. To paraphrase some recent political jargon, we need to stop approving developments 'until we know what the heck is going on.'
So the second key is to insist on more study by the FDEP and St. Johns River Water Management District.
The third key is to save the land for future generations through smart purchasing practices, like how Volusia Forever used to work. It is a mystery why conservation does not get the funding it deserves considering all the positive effects it has on the community, and Amendment 1's overwhelming approval from 2014.
8. What kind of funding is needed for the Spruce Creek conservation?
A: This is a great question, because we as a city, county and state are really shooting ourselves in the foot when it comes to conservation efforts. Any economist or humorist will tell you to 'buy land, they aren't making any more of it.' So it is clear that the prices to obtain land are only going to rise with time, and it is also clearly the will of the people—through Amendment 1 from 2014. Sierra Club and other groups are encouraging our representatives to do the right thing and buy more land now. For Spruce Creek, that is the land along I-95 currently encompassed by Woodhaven.
9. Should surrounding cities be worried about what will happen if nothing is done to conserve this area?
A: Yes, many residents worry that our economy, health and infrastructure will suffer. The economy loses out because BMAPs are known to be an economic BOON—Indian River's is estimated to bring in 80 million dollars—and because the alternative is an unhealthy ecosystem that no tourist will want to visit. Several families also worry about the stress to the schools and public services that overdevelopment and sprawl bring to our community.
9. Is there anything else residents of Port Orange should know about Spruce Creek and the surrounding area?
A: If they want to learn more and become involved with conservation efforts, I highly encourage them to join the Sierra Club. Not only will they get to go on great nature outings, including kayaking on Spruce Creek, they will also be able to use that first-hand knowledge to make a positive difference in our local environment. They can also visit the website www.SaveSpruceCreek.com.
