Those of you who have visited Peacock Springs lately may have noticed the land clearing activity to the north of the Park. The Peacock Springs Cave System runs under the cleared land at depths as shallow as 40 feet and contains the water sources to the system from the Distance Tunnel and Challenge Sink. The property contains several karst windows, among them Pump, Baptizing and Walker Springs. This acreage is already within the State's proposed Optimum Park Boundary for Peacock Springs State Park and would be a great addition to the park as well as provide protection for the springshed of Peacock Springs.
We need to show support for state purchase and/or protection of this land. We ask that you write to the representatives listed below to encourage their support for purchase of this sensitive karst area. A letter in your own words has the most impact and some important points to consider are:
- The property contains 633 acres lying north of Peacock Springs State Park in Section 17, Township 4 South, Range 12 East.
- The property was previously identified as part of the Optimum Park Boundary for Peacock Springs State Park.
- It contains three springs and numerous sinkholes.
- The mapped passage of the Peacock Springs Cave System extends into this property and is almost certainly connected hydrologically. A dye study could easily confirm the connection. Protection of the property will help to protect the water quality in Peacock Springs.
- The property is uplands pines habitat, borders on Peacock Springs State Park and is close to the Suwannee Wilderness Trail. It has excellent potential for recreation.
- Peacock Springs is a world-renowned destination for cave diving. The Park attracts thousands of visitors from 48 states and 22 foreign countries.
Contacts:
Governor Jeb Bush
PL 05 The Capitol
400 South Monroe Street
Tallahassee, FL 32399-0001
jeb.bush@myflorida.com
Florida Senate:
Senator Nancy Argenziano
1120 North Suncoast Blvd.
Crystal River, FL 34429
argenziano.nancy.web@flsenate.gov
Senator Rod Smith
4134 NW 28th Lane, Suite 4
Gainesville FL 32606
smith.rob.web@flsenate.gov
Florida House of Representatives:
Rep. Dwight Stansel
Suwannee, Lafayette Counties
208 North Ohio Avenue
Live Oak, FL 32064-2455
Florida Department of Environmental Protection:
Colleen M. Castille
Secretary of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection
3900 Commonwealth Blvd. MS 49
Tallahassee, FL 32399
Bureau of State Lands:
Eva Armstrong, Director of State Lands
Michael Bascom, Springs Initiative
Lynda Godfrey , Chief of Land Acquisition
3900 Commonwealth Blvd. MS 100
Tallahassee, FL 32399
Suwannee County Board of County Commissioners:
Live Oak City Hall
101 SE White Ave.
Live Oak, FL 32064
Jesse Caruthers, Jr., District 1
Douglas M. Udell, District 2
Ivie Fowler, District 3
Billy C. Maxwell, District 4
Randy Hatch, District 5
Suwannee River Water Management District
Jerry A. Scarborough, Executive Director
9225 County Road 49
Live Oak, FL 32060
Thank you for helping to preserve and expand the Peacock Springs State Park. With enough support we can make a difference!
Mike Poucher