PALATKA, Fla., Aug. 7, 2006 — Although the St. Johns River Water ManagementDistrict’s Governing Board is scheduled to hold a final rule adoptionhearing tomorrow (Tuesday, Aug. 8) to approve a minimum flow regime for BlueSpring in Volusia County, District staff will recommend that the GoverningBoard continue the rule adoption hearing and take no action to adopt the ruletomorrow. The Governing Board will be asked by staff to continue the hearinguntil the Governing Board meeting on Oct. 10, 2006. The purpose of this continuanceis to provide time to carefully analyze new data regarding the 2005–2006manatee season.

Each summer, the District receives data from Blue Spring State Park on the numberof manatees that visited Blue Spring during the previous winter season endingMarch 31. The daily maximum count of manatees last winter was significantly higherthan expected. After a thorough analysis of this new information, District staffwill likely propose a rule amendment at the October meeting.

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