SPRING HILL, Fla. — Protections on the Weeki Wachee River are taking a big step in Hernando County. A special kick-off to mark the start of the Springs Protection Zone took place at Roger's Park Thursday.

What You Need To Know

  • Springs Protection Zone has officially taken effect along the Weeki Wachee River

  • The protection zone is to help the overall life of the river by preventing visitors from anchoring, beaching or grounding their vessels

  • Protection encompasses 5.6 miles of the Weeki Wachee River, from Roger's Park to the Weeki Wachee Springs State Park Head Springs

  • It's an effort that has been years in the making, bringing together passionate locals to local government officials

Officials say the protection zone is to help the overall life of the river by preventing visitors from anchoring, beaching or grounding their vessels. Getting to Thursday required all hands on deck.

“This is a huge day for the county, for this river and also for the homeowners,” said Mary Anne Johnson, vice president of the Weeki Wachee River Rescue Team.

Local leaders and officials gathered along Roger’s Park for the future of the river. 

“We want you to continue to enjoy it, just be stewards of the environment around you,” said Hernando County Commissioner Brian Hawkins.

Installation of the new Springs Protection Zone on the river was an effort spearheaded by locals like Mary Anne Johnson, who has been an advocate for the river for years.

“It’s just helping preserve what we have here so we do have it for generations to come,” she said.

But getting to this point, Johnson says, required plenty of support — including getting local government involved.

“What we’re trying to prevent people from doing is mooring their boat on the shores or on the banks,” said Hawkins. “Throwing anchors which drag along the bottom of the beds and tear up the vegetation.”

The Springs Protection Zone encompasses 5.6 miles of the river. From Roger’s Park to the Weeki Wachee Springs State Park Head Springs. But signage for the zones doesn’t end there.

“We put street signs behind the homes for those people on the main river that wanted to be involved,” said Johnson. “We’ll have a street number on the backside of the homes so that when you’re out on the water, you have a bearing of where you are, whether you’re on Bear Trail or Richard Drive or wherever.”

Residents hope the change will bring a sense of communication and protection to those who visit the river, and let visitors know that in order to keep visiting the river, they need to love and protect it, as well.

“Hopefully, the river will have a little bit of time to heal," Johnson said. "The banks will grow stronger — it’ll be easy for our marine deputies to control things out here. I think it’s a win-win for a lot of people.”

There will also be a Weeki Wachee River Summit taking place Friday at the Pasco Hernando State College Spring Hill campus. For more information on the event, visit the Florida Chapter of the Sierra Club's website.