The map below shows the study area for the proposed roadway. It lies completely on the Brooksville Ridge, which the exception of the northern-most section above CR 486.

The new proposed alternate alignments pass over the Ridge and through lands purchased by the State of Florida through the Florida Forever Program, and by SWFWMD to protect these invaluable water resources.

In the latest release map by FTE (shown below) of the proposed alternative alignments, alignments S-1 through S-4, C-1 through C-12, and the first 2 miles of N-1 pass over the Ridge. The public conservation lands are shaded in green. Other public conservation lands are covered by the 3 text boxes in the upper left-hand corner of the map (most of the area hidden behind the text boxes are public conservation land.

Citrus County's Globally Unique Jewel

We all take for granted the beautiful springs that have brought visitors to Citrus County. What most of us do not know is that the formations which makes possible this first magnitude springs are also what makes the geology of Citrus County one of its kind in the world.

Beginning some 10,000 years ago Paleo-Indians settled around springs to live on the bountiful fish and shellfish that they provided, as well as wild game that came to drink from the water. Their diet was gourmet by today's standards: bass, crab, sea trout, shrimp, venison, wild duck, to name just a few. Much later even the more gold-oriented Spanish explorers welcomed their soothingly cool crystal-clear waters. Today they provide us with relaxation and unequaled beauty besides their wealth of living creatures and are home to the endangered manatee.

These springs not only create the water at the heads of the springs but also are one of the primary sources of water for the rivers emanating from them. These fresh water streams follow a winding path through immense areas of coastal marshes and estuaries to the Gulf of Mexico. Their water provides the quintessential mix of fresh and salt water necessary for the vastly productive estuaries that serve as nurseries for much of marine life. Equally, these waters nurture the vital sea grass beds of the Gulf itself.

The coastal waters of Citrus County are known worldwide for their fishing. The beauty of this uniquely special environment has been immortalized in the watercolors of Winslow Homer who also considered this the best fishing in the United States and stationed his winter residence here.