More Cheryl/Emerald Information

I have just completed telephone conversations with Suzanne Brantley, Office of General Counsel, Public Lands Section, and Mike Bullock, Bureau Chief of Recreation and Parks, Florida Department of Environmental Protection.

Each have assured me that Cheryl and Emerald Sinks will be opened for diving and that a plan for management of diving and site improvement will be under way within the next few weeks. Mr. Bullock indicated that his department will rely on cave community involvement in developing a site management plan and in planning and construction of required improvements.

I will keep you posted as this develops.

Johnny

I am ready to provide my money and my time to this effort as it develops.

Have circular saw, hammer, and small air compressor (suitable for a nailgun or two), all four of my limbs (despite never having gotten a "C" card for said saw :lol: ) and know how to use all three.

Let's put together time and place + material needs and get it done.

BTW I have another document up on my FOIA request at http://www.scubaforum.org/cgi-scuba/akcs-www?post=393

This one is quite interesting.... a 2' stack of responsive documents eh? Gonna have to go look at those.......

Pictures at 11 (well, ok, maybe a bit longer before I can get them :) )

It appears that the Park Service has decided that diving is a good thing. It is now a matter of follow-through - everyone involved so far made it happen - now we need to finish the job and go diving!

Looking forward to swinging a hammer with as many of you as possible.

When there is a plan in place on what has to be done I'll get out there and do some work. Labor is the easy part, I'll let someone else come up with the money to purchase the materials and supplies. At least the materials don't have to be hauled across the water in a boat here.

Rob

yes- great work-

Hopefully someone can post what the diving conditions are like at these sites ( depth, Vis etc.) Since they have been closed, I can find very little about them.

Johnny, thanks for all your efforts and i think that you will find many willing to lend a hand or some dollars...this is great news for the community and it is refreshing to see this sort of info flowing. I stand with rob, vince, and yes, karl (hey karl, just do your full cave and move forward from there) in expressing a desire to have some hands on and pocketbook involvement...just let us know what we can do!!! Rob, this will definitely be a bit easier then the platforms in the mill pond and let me say thanks to you for that while i'm in the thanking mood. Bill

Heh, I'll be there to cut and nail wood even though under the current rules proposal I won't be able to dive there. That's ok - my involvement in this ain't about me - its about what's right.

Cards, cards, cards. Money and 4 days (the latter being the larger problem, plus scheduling with someone who I'm willing to do the class with) doesn't change much for me really. If/when there's somewhere I want to dive badly enough to do it and I can solve the scheduling problem I will. Maybe :twisted:

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Originally Posted by Rob

When there is a plan in place on what has to be done I'll get out there and do some work. Labor is the easy part, I'll let someone else come up with the money to purchase the materials and supplies. At least the materials don't have to be hauled across the water in a boat here.

Rob

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And if its only half as good as that job, it will still be a great job.
Dave

Thanks for these updates Johnny and Karl on the very latest news. I too look forward to continuing to work with everyone to make this an ongoing success story for us all, as the cave community continues to develop a positive and constructive relationship with the Management of Wakulla Springs State Park and related parties in the Tallahassee area. Of course, count me in on helping to finish what we have started - time and resource-wise. It's been great working with everyone and will look forward to working constructively in the future with you all. And thanks for those Millpond platforms Rob!

John

Me, and my dive parteners have been hoping something would open in Tallahassee. We would be glad to help.

Cheryl's open for diving? Rich will be thrilled.... :-D

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Originally Posted by Stu

Cheryl's open for diving? Rich will be thrilled.... :-D

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Uh huh, and where exactly do you think you're going to be staying next time you're out in cave country.... :-D

Hey, I got your box of goodies too.....

Safe diving,

Rich

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Originally Posted by jpdiver

yes- great work-

Hopefully someone can post what the diving conditions are like at these sites ( depth, Vis etc.) Since they have been closed, I can find very little about them.

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Have you tried floridacaves.com? Right now the area is tannic due to all the rain. Ive only done a cavern dive at Split and Cheryl, but what I remember was the walls were black.

Speaking of Split Sink, does anyone know if this is included in the site plan? I would have to assume since its right next door.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by jpdiver

yes- great work-

Hopefully someone can post what the diving conditions are like at these sites ( depth, Vis etc.) Since they have been closed, I can find very little about them.

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Conditions at Cheryl as of yesterday -

Picture a 5 gallon bucket 1/2 full of water. Add two large size cow pies. Stir briskly until dissolved. Allow 30 minutes to settle. That will look better than Cheryl.

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Originally Posted by OFG-1

Quote:

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Originally Posted by jpdiver

yes- great work-

Hopefully someone can post what the diving conditions are like at these sites ( depth, Vis etc.) Since they have been closed, I can find very little about them.

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Conditions at Cheryl as of yesterday -

Picture a 5 gallon bucket 1/2 full of water. Add two large size cow pies. Stir briskly until dissolved. Allow 30 minutes to settle. That will look better than Cheryl.

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huh... thats what we call a "good" day over here in these Tampa caves... :-D