[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 60 (Monday, March 30, 2026)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E296]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





                     RECOGNIZING SAVE CRYSTAL RIVER

                                  _____
                                 

                         HON. GUS M. BILIRAKIS

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, March 30, 2026

  Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize Save Crystal River 
for its extraordinary leadership in restoring Kings Bay and protecting 
Florida's first-magnitude springs--natural treasures that are essential 
to our environment, economy, and water future.
  Save Crystal River's work reflects what is possible when local 
commitment is paired with science-based solutions and determined 
advocacy. Kings Bay is one of Florida's most significant first 
magnitude spring systems, discharging millions of gallons of freshwater 
daily and sustaining manatees, fisheries, tourism, and downstream 
estuaries. When invasive Lyngbya algae, sedimentation, and decades of 
accumulated organic muck began choking spring vents and degrading 
habitat Save Crystal River stepped forward with vision and action. In 
2015, the organization secured $1.6 million in legislative funding for 
a pilot restoration project, launching a comprehensive, three-phase 
strategy in partnership with aquatic restoration firm Sea & Shoreline. 
The first phase utilizes hydraulic vacuum dredging to remove legacy 
nutrients, muck, and invasive algae from the riverbed. To date, more 
than 700 million pounds of Lyngbya and detrital material have been 
removed, and more than 890 previously unidentified spring vents have 
been restored--reestablishing natural freshwater flow once thought 
unrecoverable. The second phase focuses on replanting native submerged 
aquatic vegetation, particularly eelgrass, to stabilize sediments, 
reduce nutrient loading, improve dissolved oxygen levels, store carbon, 
and provide critical habitat for manatees, fish, and invertebrates. 
More than 785,000 eelgrass units have been planted across over 120 
acres of restored habitat, with survivability rates exceeding 90 
percent in established areas. The third phase ensures long-term 
ecological resilience through continuous monitoring and adaptive 
management. Biologists assess more than 300 monitoring points, manage 
protective plant enclosures, and implement science-driven maintenance 
strategies to safeguard the restoration's success. Independent 
monitoring confirms measurable improvements in water clarity, 
biodiversity, and overall ecosystem function in restored areas compared 
to unrestored sites. The project faced a significant test on August 31, 
2023, when Hurricane Idalia brought a nine-foot storm surge into Kings 
Bay, initially resulting in substantial eelgrass loss. Yet through 
resilient, nature-based restoration design and ongoing stewardship, 
eelgrass recovery reached nearly 67 percent within one year and 
continues to improve--demonstrating that strategic spring restoration 
can withstand even extreme weather events.
  The benefits of this work extend far beyond Citrus County. Protecting 
a first magnitude spring strengthens downstream estuaries, sustains 
fisheries, enhances tourism and recreational economies, stabilizes 
property values, and advances Florida's statewide water quality and 
resource protection goals. Kings Bay's recovery reflects a strong 
return on public investment and provides a replicable model for spring 
systems throughout Florida. Through sustained dedication, measurable 
results, and collaborative leadership, Save Crystal River has 
transformed environmental decline into a powerful success story of 
resilience and stewardship.
  For its profound and lasting impact on Citrus County and its broader 
contribution to safeguarding Florida's natural heritage, I am proud to 
recognize Save Crystal River as a 2026 Hero Among Us for Florida's 12th 
Congressional District.