A Big Win in the Nestle Lawsuit!
From Ryan Smart at the Florida Springs Council on December 1st: Yesterday afternoon we learned that the 1st District Court of Appeals unanimously ruled that the Florida Springs Council has a right to challenge the Seven Springs/Nestle bottling permit, reversing a previous decision by ALJ Francine Ffolkes.
This ruling stymies attempts by Seven Springs attorneys to prevent the FSC from litigating on behalf of our members to protect the Santa Fe River. This win means that our case now moves forward in the Division of Administrative Hearings.
There's still a long way to go, but this ruling is a major victory for springs advocates.
Background: In February of 2021 the Suwannee River Water Management District Governing Board approved, under protest, a controversial water use permit requested by Seven Springs Water Company, owned by the operators of the Ginnie Springs campground, to provide nearly 1 million gallons of water per day to be bottled and sold by Nestle (now known as BlueTriton.)
The Florida Springs Council immediately filed a legal challenge alleging that the permit was not in the public interest and did not meet the District’s requirements. Attorneys for Seven Springs had attempted to keep the Florida Springs Council out of court and dismiss our case, but yesterday's ruling establishes our right to argue for the reversal of this permit before an Administrative Law Judge.
This win wouldn’t have been possible without our outstanding attorney Douglas MacLaughlin, and our partners at Our Santa Fe River, The Public Trust, and Ichetucknee Alliance. Additionally, we commend the Suwannee River Water Management District for arguing on behalf of FSC’s right to challenge the permit. This win also belongs to Florida Springs Council's members and supporters.
We're going to need all the help we can get to win this David vs Goliath battle. The support of our members enabled us to win this victory, but the fight's not over.
If you aren't already one of our Sustaining Members, join those who have pledged to support this fight with an automated monthly donation.
Or make a one-time donation to the FSC Legal Fund.
It makes no sense to be giving away water, a million gallons a day, when the Santa Fe River is suffering. It’s time to draw a line in the sand and say no more.