"The effort to reduce the rising pollution levels in Silver Springs could become the model for improving the health of freshwater springs statewide. Recently, Marion County commissioners approved an agreement with state environmental regulators that permits the county to lead the process to determine the ceiling for contaminants at the fabled site."

"But while county officials laud the cooperation on Silver Springs, and the emphasis on local control of its fate, some environmental activists believe the agreement will accomplish little to actually reduce the waterway's pollution — which is already three times the limit set by federal and state regulators."

Bill Thompson reports for the Ocala Star-Banner October 1, 2011. [2]