News

State of Florida Observation Reports

From: JAH
Remote Name: 24.26.34.65
Date: 2002-08-07

Jim Stevenson at the State of Florida, responded to one of the observation reports submitted recently and indicated to us, more of what we need to be looking for as Cave Divers. This says two things:

1) Our group is a useful tool to them, and the State IS listening to us. This is important, and it cannot be stressed enough.

2) We have a direct line to people that can make decisions and a difference, and this line of communication needs to be maintained, AND cultivated. It is one of my jobs to make sure that it does. I know there is already a "core group" of watchful eyes out there, and I wanted to convey some things that Jim said. In Jim Stevenson's email to Keith Mille (one of our esteemed CDF users) he commented on how beneficial these reports were to him and his colleagues, but also indicated some areas that they were especially interested in.

Jim Stevenson and the State are much more interested in our findings and observations in regards to anomalies and negative indicators. They still want and can use ALL data that we observe and report, but are more interested in any "negative impact" findings. Such as; DEAD crayfish, DEAD fish, bacterial growth, gases in the water column and basically anything that COULD help predict an environmental change. Rainfall obviously effects some of these things, but the GOAL of this observation program is catch developing anomalies, or environmental swings. Dead fish and invasive bacterial growth could be a precursor to negative impact change.

We are approaching our first winner, in our CDF contest to assist the state, but once that is done we implore everyone to keep there eyes open....keep focused for any signs in the cave or water, that doesn't "seem right". If you think something is NOT RIGHT, submit a report on it for review. Lastly we appreciate all that have supported this, and look forward to a long term program relationship with Mr. Stevenson as this is so very important to us all, and the good of the people.

- James

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