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So does anyone have a copy of the minutes from any of these meetings? Or know who all was in attendance? What was discussed? All my info is 2nd or 3rd hand, and I think it would be unfair to type out what I heard. It would be great if the folks who were there would fill us all in first hand.
I could type out my third hand info...
You won't...
I heard the idea of running it as a concession. Was tossed around. Open water diving to 130'...which is well in the overhead
Rest easy. I'm sure you'll be given another chance to publicly state that divers will probably steal artifacts and fossils like they did in other cave systems, or maybe you'll join in on the accusation that opening Wakulla to divers will be like building a gas station on top of it.Quote:
Originally Posted by PfcAJ
Honestly, you can't throw people under the bus and then expect them to be your pals.
Maybe the folks at the "Friends" camp have some information to share with you?
Well, its true, cave divers HAVE done those things. And if you recall, I stated that I simply felt the risk was too high. It only takes 1 bad apple to ruin it forever. I stand by my statement and I'll say it again in a public forum, given the chance. Conservation is important to me, and I hope it's important to you. If you (or anyone, really) would like to discuss it, PM me and we can chat over the phone.
Regardless, I'd just like to know what's going on, and I'm pretty sure lots of other folks would like to know what's going on, too. That's a pretty reasonable request, don't you think? It's important to a lot of people, no matter what side of the fence you're on.
Below is a copy of the email I just recieved from the DEP. I just recieved it even though I sent my letter over 6 weeks ago.
Joe
Thank you for contacting the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) regarding cave diving in Wakulla Spring located in Wakulla Springs State Park.
It is important to note that a final decision to include limited recreational cave diving in Wakulla Spring has not yet been made. In a continued effort to do what is in the best interest of the park as well as our park visitors, the Florida Park Service will continue to evaluate the proposal. Should a plan be developed for the inclusion of limited diving opportunities in Wakulla Spring, it will address all of the concerns that have been brought to the DEP’s attention.
Additionally, if a plan is developed, DEP will host another public workshop to hear from the community. If a decision is made to move forward to provide recreational cave diving at this site, DEP is required to propose an amendment to the Unit Management Plan for Wakulla Springs State Park which would provide an additional opportunity for public input.
Currently, there is no set timeframe for determining whether a plan to include limited diving opportunities will be developed.
To truly respect the value of this precious resource as well as the desire for access, we will honor our time-honored process of careful park planning, as required by the Florida Park Service’s mission.
Again, thank you for taking time to contact DEP.
Respectfully,
Office of Citizen Services
Florida Department of Environmental Protection
3900 Commonwealth Boulevard
Tallahassee, FL 32399
citizensservices@dep.state.fl.us
So you are different than every other cave diver then? You are just better than all the rest of us.Quote:
Originally Posted by PfcAJ
Who are you to say that only you and your group can judge that someone is reasonably qualified to dive certain locations?
Jordan, I didn't say that. I said that the potential for damage increases with the number of divers that dive in any given location, and the sensitivity of the artifacts and fossils is to great too allow unregulated access (which was proposed that evening. You'd know that if you were there). OW classes in the Wakulla basin? Blue Grotto North? I'll oppose that every day of the week and twice on Sunday. I've LONG said that some sort of reasonable access plan can probably be developed, similar (but more stringent) to what has happend up at Emerald and Clearcut.I f a solid, respectable, and well thought out access plan was proposed, I'd be behind it. Unfortunately, that's not what is (or has been) proposed.
This point is further illustrated by the fact that some cave diver just carved his initials into the cave floor at LR. I wish it wasn't the case, but it is.
Actually that is what is being proposed. There is a lot of internet rheotoric,but for the efforts ongoing with the state a well thought out plan is what is being discussedQuote:
Originally Posted by PfcAJ
This sucks,but reinforces what you said,this place doesn't have controlled access. Hence I can't say cave divers did this because I have seen OW divers diving here and in the caveQuote:
This point is further illustrated by the fact that some cave diver just carved his initials into the cave floor at LR. I wish it wasn't the case, but it is.