Historically, non-point sources of pollution were relegated to a backburner while government and conservation groups focused on point-sources of pollutants. However, the focus of current efforts to clean the St. Johns is now on non-point sources: pollution from lawns, septic systems, and farms.
A River Summit in 1997 produced a River Agenda that identified reducing non-point source pollution as one of six goals to enhance and protect the St. Johns. Multiple agencies and groups are involved in this effort.
For example, the St. Johns River Water Management District is committed to teaching millions of Floridians that the best chance of off-setting non-point sources of pollution is for citizens to take action individually and collectively. And in June 2003, the St. Johns River Alliance was formed to steer river restoration efforts; this private, nonprofit organization coordinates with the Water Management District and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.
Volunteer non-profit groups -- notably The Stewards of the St. Johns River and the St. Johns Riverkeeper -- also serve to educate, advocate, and motivate citizens while monitoring the actions of local, county, state, regional, and federal agencies in whose jurisdiction the St. Johns lies.
But the most important, and effective solution is you. Protecting, preserving, and restoring the river is in everyone's best interest and can be achieved only if everyone assumes stewardship.
Learn what you can do to be a part of the solution and have a positive impact on the future of the St. Johns River by exploring these two sections of this site: