Florida's AG Charlie Crist Acts to Protect Wakulla Springs

Questions, techniques, gear, safety. Also visit the NSS Cave Diving Section.

Moderator: Moderators

Florida's AG Charlie Crist Acts to Protect Wakulla Springs

Postby ken hill » Mar 28, 2006 9:48 pm

The below is great news and a precedent action for the protection of a cave like Mill Creek Sink. Today, the highest law enforcement official in the state of Florida has intervened because there is a potential for damage to a water filled cave from actions occurring on another's property. This is great news for us and an incentive to remain positive because cave divers have the moral high ground since our aim is to protect Florida's assets. which is one purpose of the statute cited and is terrific news.

The statute cited 403.412(5) Environmental Protection Act.-- states in part:

5) In any administrative, licensing, or other proceedings authorized by law for the protection of the air, water, or other natural resources of the state from pollution, impairment, or destruction, the Department of Legal Affairs, a political subdivision or municipality of the state, or a citizen of the state shall have standing to intervene as a party on the filing of a verified pleading asserting that the activity, conduct, or product to be licensed or permitted has or will have the effect of impairing, polluting, or otherwise injuring the air, water, or other natural resources of the state.

Attorney General Crist's intervention sets the precedent for us as citizens of the state the right to intervene even if the political subdivision involved refuses to lift a finger. It puts the developer in a position to defend their actions before their activities commence.

Regards /Ken


AG's Letter Below
----------------------------------------------------------------------------

OFFICE OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL



THE CAPITOL

TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA 32399-1050


CHARLIE CRIST
Attorney General
State of Florida



FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: JoAnn Carrin

March 28, 2006

850-245-0150



Crist: Wakulla Springs Must Be Protected



TALLAHASSEE – Attorney General Charlie Crist today filed a petition
to intervene in a challenge to a proposed permit renewal involving Wakulla
Springs. Both Wakulla Springs and the Wakulla River are classified as
Outstanding Florida Waters which require greater protection by law.
Wakulla Springs State Park is one of Florida’s most appealing tourist
attractions.

The Attorney General’s petition seeks to join challenges to the
pending proposed permit renewal which the City of Tallahassee is seeking.
Wakulla County, the Florida Wildlife Federation and a citizen of the county
filed those challenges based upon concerns that excessive nitrogen
pollution from the city’s sprayfields has and will continue to damage the
river and the springs.

“Wakulla Springs as one of our most pristine and valued bodies of
water must be protected for future generations,â€
ken hill
Occasional Poster
 
Posts: 46
Joined: Sep 8, 2005 8:17 pm
  

Postby Squirrel Girl » Mar 29, 2006 7:01 am

Yeah! :banana:

Thanks for posting up the info!

I keep thinking I should dig out some of my old surface shots from Wakulla, blowing them up and hanging 'em on my walls.

Love that place. So special.
Barbara Anne am Ende

"Weird people are my people."
User avatar
Squirrel Girl
Global Moderator
 
Posts: 3198
Joined: Sep 5, 2005 5:34 am
Location: Albuquerque, NM
NSS #: 15789
  

Postby graveleye » May 11, 2006 12:53 pm

I'm not a cave diver but I got some fond memories of the icy waters at Wakulla...

anyone remember the big 10-meter jump tower? I looked over the side of that things as an 8 year old for hours getting up the nerve to jump.. finally did. 100F outside and hit that cold water...whew,....you could literally levitate out of water it was so cold. After that I was hooked.

Got my first kiss there a few years later...

I really love that place... I'd love it better if it had a water heater:) just kidding.

They took the big dive tower down didnt they? I imagine it would be quite a liability, but it sure was fun to jump off

:woohoo:

Its nice to see some folks are looking out for it!!
ad astra per aspera

http://www.myspace.com/jamthecontrols

The views expressed in this post are not necessarily those of any organization I am affiliated with.

Become a sustaining member of the SCCI
User avatar
graveleye
Global Moderator
 
Posts: 2934
Joined: Mar 14, 2006 11:12 am
Location: Georgia, USA
Name: Kevin Glenn
NSS #: 57238RL
  

Postby Squirrel Girl » May 11, 2006 1:19 pm

Oh, how cool is that! Great memories of Wakulla!

They don't have the original tower there anymore. They replaced it, but I Think it's not quite so tall. It's more a of a heavy duty concrete structure.

Here's the new one:
http://www.usdct.org/Updates/dec01.htm
Barbara Anne am Ende

"Weird people are my people."
User avatar
Squirrel Girl
Global Moderator
 
Posts: 3198
Joined: Sep 5, 2005 5:34 am
Location: Albuquerque, NM
NSS #: 15789
  

Postby graveleye » May 11, 2006 2:52 pm

it really is a wonderful place. My family used to have little mini family reunions there when I was young. In fact, sometimes on these same excursions we would head over to Marianna and tour Florida Caverns. Once we did the tour and then took the long loop hike that passes by some other smaller caves that were ungated at the time. A couple of cavers climbed out with their headlamps and helmets on as we strolled past - that is exactly the precise moment that the caving bug bit me, and bit me hard. I wanted to go down there SO BAD that I couldnt stop thinking about it. I think I was about 12.
Sorry.. rambling off topic :tonguecheek: Lots of memories stem from Wakulla!
ad astra per aspera

http://www.myspace.com/jamthecontrols

The views expressed in this post are not necessarily those of any organization I am affiliated with.

Become a sustaining member of the SCCI
User avatar
graveleye
Global Moderator
 
Posts: 2934
Joined: Mar 14, 2006 11:12 am
Location: Georgia, USA
Name: Kevin Glenn
NSS #: 57238RL
  


Return to Cave Diving Forum

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users