The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has extended the timeline for gathering public opinion about new rules governing Three Sisters Springs.

Why? Because there's significant opposition to limiting the number of swimmers and guides in the springs at one time to 13.

“In conversations with tour operators, the Citrus County Chamber of Commerce, and congressional representatives, we believe extending the comment period on our revised proposal is needed,“ James Burnett, project leader for the Northwest Florida National Wildlife Refuge Complex, said in a press release.

Last week, according to the Citrus County Chronicle, Chamber of Commerce officials and staff from Sen. Marco Rubio’s office met with USFWS officials to urge them to extend the comment period.

The extension will go to Dec. 18.Comments may be emailed to crystalriver@fws.gov.