ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — In Rock Springs, north of Orlando, water gushes from limestone cliffs. Hundreds of gallons of water gush out of openings in the rock every second. "It's basically the result of rainwater seeping into the recharge area," said Mike Cliburn of Friends of the Wekiva River.

Rock Springs is one of more than a thousand freshwater springs in Florida. Due to its unique geology, the state has one of the highest concentrations of freshwater springs in the world. They are magnets for wildlife and people who want to swim or boat in the crystal clear water.

But groundwater development and extraction is taking its toll. Some springs are no longer bubbling from the aquifer, and even the largest springs are now seeing steadily decreasing flows. National policymakers acknowledge the problem but have so far been reluctant to take any action.

Florida's springs provide critical habitat for endangered and threatened species, including manatees. But they're also important for recreation, attracting locals and tourists who come to row, paddle or swim in the water, which remains a constant 72 degrees.

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A boom in housing construction has led Central Florida's water management districts to issue more permits allowing groundwater pumping. So much water is now being pumped out of the aquifer that the amount of water flowing out of Rock and nearby Wekiva Springs has dropped. Applications for groundwater permits will only continue to grow as additional construction continues to be approved.

"We know groundwater stress will cause reduced flows in Wekiva and Rock Springs. They've said so too," said Jay Exum of Friends of the Wekiva River. Water Management District Know this."

In some areas of Florida, springs have stopped flowing or become clogged with algae due to low water flows and pollution from development.

To prevent more damage, Florida Gov. Rick Scott signed a law in 2016 requiring the state's Department of Environmental Protection to issue rules to prevent groundwater pumping from harming springs. But for nearly a decade, the DEP took no action. The agency eventually released draft rules late last year in response to a lawsuit filed by the Florida Springs Council, an environmental group.

Ryan Smart, the organization's executive director, said the new rules are essentially the same as those that have been in place for a long time. "They have a lot of discretion over the rules," Smart said. "But, at the end of the day, they do have to prevent harm. And the current rules, the same as they proposed, don't prevent harm."

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection did not respond to a request for an interview. Smart said environmental groups and regulators agree on one thing: Florida's springs are in trouble. "DEP and water management districts have determined that severe harm has occurred, often in excess of 15 percent habitat loss," Smart said. “We need to stop the damage before it gets so bad that it’s destroyed.”

The water that emerges from Rock Springs eventually flows into the Wekiva River, one of the most unspoiled rivers in Florida. Paddling on the Wekiva River, Florida's spring ecosystem looks to be in pretty good shape. Alligators sunned themselves on the shore, red-bellied woodpeckers flew overhead, and little blue herons waded in the shallows.

But over the past two years, Orlando has been the second-fastest growing region in the country, and new home construction is booming. That's why the state must adopt environmental protection measures for the springs, which lawmakers ordered nearly a decade ago, Jay Exum said. Exum said Floridians need to change the way they use precious groundwater.

“Fifty percent of the water pumped from Florida’s aquifers is used to irrigate residential lawns,” Exum said. "Of course, development has an impact. But what we do after development may have the biggest impact. And we have the power to change that."

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection is moving forward with its proposed rule. The Florida Springs City Council said it would challenge them in court if they are finalized.