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Swiftmud staff says no permit for Perrier
By JAMES THORNER © St. Petersburg Times, published January 26, 1999 CRYSTAL SPRINGS -- Perrier emerged the loser Monday in a two-year battle over Crystal Springs that pitted business interests against environmental activists. In a letter to the agency's governing board, staffers with the Southwest Florida Water Management District recommended denying Perrier a permit to bottle up to 1.8-million gallons a day from the spring in southeastern Pasco County. Central to the recommendation were fears that increased tapping of the spring could further deplete the Hillsborough River, Tampa's main source of drinking water. Swiftmud staffers said that Perrier's application failed to provide "reasonable assurances" that the extra bottling wouldn't cut into Tampa's water supply. The agency also cited potential harm to wetlands, lakes, streams and fish. The recommendation, if approved by Swiftmud's governing board next month, threatens to hurt Perrier's business expansion plans in central Florida. Perrier now can legally draw an average of 301,000 gallons a day from the spring, water it pumps several miles north to its Zephyrhills Spring Water plant. The company wants to expand its Zephyrhills plant based in part on the growing demand for water from Crystal Springs. Crystal Springs owner Robert Thomas, who stands to make millions from the water sales, criticized the findings. Exhaustive environmental studies should have laid to rest Swiftmud's fears about depleting the Hillsborough River, he said. Thomas and Perrier refuse to give up the fight. Swiftmud rules give the business partners 21 days to challenge the recommendation in court before it reaches the governing board. "I don't see this as the final chapter of a long book," Thomas said. "This process is far from over." Monday's recommendation came at the end of a two-year application process. Perrier's plan ignited controversy among Crystal Springs residents, who formed groups such as Save Our Springs to agitate against the company. Feelings were mixed among the protesters Monday. Some cheered the Swiftmud recommendation, while others seemed resigned that Perrier would eventually emerge victorious. "If we hadn't fought this, Perrier would have gotten its way a long time ago," said Terry Wolfe, president of Save Our Springs. "But I think they'll get their water one way or another." Feelings were more upbeat farther south, in the communities watered by the Hillsborough River. The Hillsborough River Interlocal Planning Board, made up of representatives from Tampa, Temple Terrace and the Hillsborough County commissioners, came out against Perrier's proposal just last week. Sylvia Espinola, a technical adviser for the river board, said the evidence presented by Perrier wasn't enough to quiet their fears about the river, particularly during the spring, when water levels are usually low. "Until they can prove they aren't going to draw us down here, they're going to get resistance from us," Espinola said. But Swiftmud's recommendation may also have repercussions for the city of Zephyrhills. The water bottling plant, which grew to 255,000 square feet with a 1995 expansion, has become a crucial part of the city's economy. The factory employs about 133 people and contributes millions of dollars to the local tax base. Perrier spokeswoman Jane Lazgin said Swiftmud's move shouldn't affect plans to hire about 35 more employees at the plant this year. As for future growth at the plant, Lazgin couldn't speculate. Crystal Springs is the sole source of Zephyrhills Spring Water. What happens next falls to Thomas, whose family has owned Crystal Springs since the 1960s. Thomas said Swiftmud erred by dwelling on water troubles in Tampa, 29 miles downstream from the spring. "I've been involved with the water management district for a long time. Nothing they do surprises me," he said. "I've been disappointed more times than not."
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