ASTOR, Fla. – Residents living near Silver Glen Springs have been fighting for months to keep boating around the springs.

On Monday, their efforts paid off when the governor signed a new law that pauses a decision to ban boating in the area.

Many residents from Astor were preparing to travel to Ocala for a final vote Wednesday by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission on the “Spring Protection Zone.”

However, that vote has been taken off the agenda due to the new law signed by the governor.

That law is called the Freedom to Boat Act.

“It changes the threshold for harm to significant harm, and the harm done by vessels now needs to be predominantly by vessels,” said Kristine Wake, a member of the Save Our Boating Rights organization.

The zones were created in 2022 to help protect Florida’s springs, including the water, grass, banks, and animals. These zones could be established if someone provided evidence to the FWC that it was necessary. Many locals feared that a Spring Protection Zone would prevent boats, jet skis, and even kayaks from anchoring or beaching in the springs. They argue that this would hurt businesses in Astor.

“The issues we have at the Glen never were going to be addressed by the Spring Protection Zone, and that’s why we were fighting so hard against it,” Wake said.

Several local counties joined the fight against the spring protection zone. Instead of a blanket ban, the residents hope the counties will create specific rules to address local issues.

“The issues we have at the Glen are a noise issue by vessels with the radios and the competing music. We have the issue of the boats still living out there permanently and full time,” Wake said.

While many residents are happy about the new law, some groups wanted the Spring Protection Zone.

“It was discouraging to see this bill pass the Legislature and presented to the Governor with language that will make it impossible for FWC to establish Springs Protection Zones where necessary. It is not possible to determine the predominant cause of harm to a spring system, and this requirement will remove Springs Protection Zones from FWC’s toolbox. This will jeopardize future and existing Springs Protection Zones, which are meant to strike a balance between conservation and recreation at Florida’s springs.”

The FWC now has to consider the spring protection zone under the new law’s requirements. The new law will take effect on July 1.