Operation Madison,Peacock,and Troy-help is needed

Thanks everyone,some great responses. Some feedback I have received,we are starting to get some notice

Basically,if you want to have a place to cave dive in the future,you help is needed. I worked over the weekend and prepared a packet of materials to go to the Chamber of Commerces that would feel economic impact with the closures,and got them in the mail. But,the cave diving grassroots efforts is very important because we don't want these parks closed,and leaders in these counties need to understand the positive benefits of cave diving.

Please,if you are sitting on the fence,you correspondence is needed.

Mines are going out today,
When we have underground beauty like that we need to see them so we can protect and teach.

you might also bring up that with these parks closing that they will lose the revenue from "Annual Springs-Diving Instructor Pass"

Has anyone thought of paying attention to the other park with diveable caves?

Werner-Boyce Salt Springs State Park has at least 3 diveable caves.

• Salt Spring
• Whiskey Spring
• Cauldron Spring

We are currently working with the Park Manager to open these caves up at a minimum guided at Salt Spring (328'+)

Letters mailed from Ohio. Hopefully the politicians will take some notice.

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Originally Posted by mag3

OK, mine are officially "mailed" and picked up by the Post Office... :)

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And, apparently, I've received a reply from St. Sen. Charles S. Dean, on official letterhead.

Basically, he is aware of the issue, and hopes he can work with the DEP to find cuts elsewhere than closing these parks. He definitely re-iterated the 15% budget cut mandate, noting a $4Billion shortfall this year.

He also re-iterated the fact that the original list is made up of the 53 parks "which had the least attendance and no camping facilities." Hence, as stated in an earlier post:

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Originally Posted by mag3

I think we should work with the state park management to implement Pete's idea immediately. They make these decisions by the numbers... We need to give them some numbers!

Kelly & NFSA Mgt. - This should be a high priority, along with mustering attendance when the state officials come to inspect each park... If I'm down there when there are visits, I'll surely attend...

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Originally Posted by Kelly Jessop

I am wondering how they derive their attendence numbers. There may be some validity to what you are suggesting.

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Sorry if I sound like a broken record Kelly :), but I hope we really are making progress on this... The sooner we get some numbers, the sooner we can attack the perception of "low attendance" and keep these parks off the list. Anything would help. An "attendance ticket" to put in the Iron ranger along with your payment (and especially if you use a pass)...

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Originally Posted by mag3

Sorry if I sound like a broken record Kelly :), but I hope we really are making progress on this.

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Thanks a lot for sharing. I still feel the big noise that Peacock,Madison,and Troy makes the better,and the awesome support from people like yourself makes a difference. Also the survey that has been completed by everyone with Peacock and Madison highlighted under "other".

I live in Mexico but I enjoy the caves of Florida... can I do something to help?

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Originally Posted by mag3

And, apparently, I've received a reply from St. Sen. Charles S. Dean, on official letterhead.

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I got the same letter.

Thanks, Kelly. When I found out about possible FL State Park closures from Shirley Kasser on Facebook, I looked up the contact information for Gov. Scott and wrote him with my personal love of FL parks, my favorite parks, and about how much money my family spends traveling to FL a few times each year specifically to visit the parks. I also expressed that as an instructor I need a commercial annual pass, family pass and introduce students to parks such as Peacock, Madison Blue, Troy, and others. They also purchase annual passes. Without these parks, I'd be visiting the Bahamas or Mexico for work and/or pleasure.