Unwarranted Cost Increase at Florida Springs

[FW]

I will also be making a motion to be discussed at the August NSS-CDS board meeting on ways the organization can try to influence the State.

I don't think waiting until August is as good as getting the BOD to make waves now. Certainly it is in the interest of the NSS-CDC to keep cave divers diving. If it isn't acted upon until then it may appear to condone the DEP's action instead of condemning it.

OK, the NSS-CDS can discuss it, but NFSA might have more influence.

[Line Squirrel]

If that were the case, I would get a job at a car dealership and quote someone $5 for a Ferrari and have them sell it back to me for $6.

You would have a very busy first, and last, day...and a lot of friends

[Kelly Jessop]

Already on it,but if it is coming from the state level,then probably not much going to be done

[WEPIV]

I just e-mailed this to everyone listed on the initial post. I feel we should definitely defend how it's been for years. I don't want parks to only accept our annual passes until they expire (for diving), I want to repeal this ruling and keep it as it was....

Mr. Michael W. Sole,

I am a Florida native who lives near Gainesville along with my wife and two children. I am a certified cave diver and my son is an advanced open water diver. In addition, I am a professional photographer who has spent years photographing underwater in our beautiful, unique, Florida springs. I have donated some of these photos to the various parks where the images were shot and/or to the park service. We have also been Florida State Park annual family pass holders for years.

I recently heard that the family park pass would no longer cover scuba diving in some, or all parks. I hope that this is not the case as I strongly feel that it is the wrong way to go about getting additional funds.

Please clarify this for me and as these are our state park lands -- which we responsibly enjoy very much -- we didn't have (to my knowledge) any chance for input into this decision. I, for one, can state that I get the annual family pass due to our family's love of the springs and scuba diving.

I am well aware of the current financial situation, etc., but as I mentioned above, this is not the way to get additional funds.

I look forward to hearing back from you on this matter.

Gene Page

[JerseyJersey]

since my pass expires in July are they honoring the new pass I would pick up in july or just ones already purchased?

[JerseyJersey]

as a second thought or question..... what about all the diving steps, ramps, benches. etc that divers have maintained or provided......will divers stop providing them........ can we now expect more bathhouses, warm water showers, benches, better access, glow in the dark cave line or other things paid for with these newly amended fees?

[fghray1]

I dove Madison yesterday and peacock today and no one said anything to me

[Benthic]

OK, the NSS-CDS can discuss it, but NFSA might have more influence.

Don't "discuss"..."do". This not the time for organizations who claim to support the interests of cave divers to "discuss". It's time for them to "do" something to protect the interests of their membership.

Brian

[BillBowden]

This is bigger than just the cave diving community. Troy springs and Blue Springs in Orange City will be affected. Those parks are used by 100's of open water divers monthly. Those of you who are affiliated with PADI, NAUI and other training organizations need to complain about this change in past practice. This hurts the entire Florida diving industry.

[jj1987]

Is this in line with what the rest of you are sending?

Subject: Diving fee increase for all Florida State Parks

It has been brought to my attention that Florida State Parks will no longer provide divers with the opportunity to purchase a state park pass. As current Vice President of the Dive Club at the University of Central Florida, I like to present my concerns.

While serving as Vice President, I was approached by numerous students very anxious to learn about Florida’s underwater treasures. Unfortunately, despite great cooperation of the private community in the form of discounted pricing on gear, charter fees, tank fills, and even free guest speakers, SCUBA diving still remains an expensive hobby. At multiple meetings, every member of our club was encouraged to purchase a Florida State Park pass. Members of our club have gone on to donate time in which they assisted state parks in cave mapping projects, site cleanups, and also building facilities such as entry steps. These projects have assisted the state park in following their mission to “provide resource-based recreation while preserving” and are in direct assistance with the Florida State Park mission statement. By increasing the fee structure for divers, there will undoubtedly be those who can no longer afford to participate in the diving events which sparked their charitable donation of time. The additional fees will therefore, be in direct opposition with the mission statement, as they will eliminate many student’s opportunity to experience Florida’s State Parks.

While cave divers are not often fairly displayed in the public eye, I do believe that they provide an invaluable service to the state in a variety of ways.

• Madison Blue was provided with a bucket at the bottom of the spring which divers now use to collect glass littered in the basin. Glass is collected and disposed of by cave divers as a volunteer service.
• Karst Underwater Research is working with the state to provide an accurate map of the Weeki Wachee cave system, as well as monitoring water quality and flow rates. This year they worked with Liquid Productions LLC to create a video that has already been used to educate the public on Florida's Aquifer. The University of Central Florida was fortunate enough to have a free presentation on this project available to all students as well as the surrounding community. This video, produced by Liquid Productions at no cost to the state, undoubtedly taught someone more about water runoff, depleting the aquifer, and in general the importance of respecting our resources.
• The Woodville Karst Plain project is assisting the state with mapping and exploring Wakulla Springs. This service has lead to preventing a landfill from being built right on top of one of the main water sources for the “Crown Jewel of the State Park System”. After 20 years of hard work, they have connected the Wakulla Springs Cave to Turner Sink on a single dive, proving a direct hydrological connection that everyone can relate to. They are currently working to connect the system to the Gulf of Mexico, showing how extensive our aquifer really is.
• North Florida Springs Alliance (a group primarily of cave divers) have provided carts for use at Ichetuknee Springs State Park, and is also in the process of assisting the state to develop a foot trail where visitors can walk along the surface and see where the cave system is located.
• Cave diving pioneers, Jill Heinerth and Wes Skiles produced a documentary called “The Waters Journey” which appeared on PBS in front of millions showing how vulnerable our aquifer is, and why we all need to take actions to ensure it’s protected.
• The Wakulla County Dive Club has participated in numerous site cleanups as well as building steps to access sites.\
• Hart Springs, which had become so clogged that the spring was not flowing, was cleaned by cave divers and is now flowing.
• Rose Sink, which is part of the Ichetuknee Springs basin, a resource which provides significant income for the park system, was cleaned by cave divers.
• "Critter counts" and water quality sampling is currently being done as a service to Ichetuknee Springs State Park (Jug Hole), Peacock Springs State Park, and others.
• Cave divers maintain their own guidelines within the cave systems owned by the state, provide warning signs for untrained divers, and establish training agencies so that everyone can enjoy these resources safely.

As shown, from a usage point of view, cave divers require very little of the state other than opening a gate. They have donated and built their our own steps as well as tables to gear up on, and even provided cleanups to assist the parks with trash that others bring. By making it less affordable to dive, I have concerns that fewer and fewer people will be able to afford the sport which creates such excellent patron’s of our states natural resources. There is no doubt that someone who enjoys the usage of natural resources will in return be more aware of their impact to them.

My final concern is with economic impact to the small businesses that depend on diving. As the cost to dive each weekend goes up, those who dive will undoubtedly do it less frequently. Shops such as Cave Adventurers, Cave Excursions, Dive Outpost, Extreme Exposure, and many others are family owned businesses that rely heavily on “regulars” who dive week in and week out, as well as those from around the country who visit on vacation. During flood seasons where springs are not divable, these shops almost always have to cut hours, and often staff members. When visiting Peacock Springs State Park, I have the following expenses.

• $30 for gas, at a local station.
• $10 for a sub, chips, and drink at the Luraville store.
• $25 for tank fills at a local dive shop

By increasing the cost per day of diving to $15, my cost per trip has increased 23%. This will lead to less frequent trips and undoubtedly strain on the small business owners that depend on divers. I have also attached a study of Jackson Blue springs that demonstrates that cave diving is responsible for bringing in nearly $2 million annually to Jackson County. If additional income is needed, I strongly suggest a flat rate and include a "divers fee" within the state park pass cost. If we charged divers an extra fee per year, the state can gain the additional income, yet not have divers effected on a per trip basis that really hurt these local businesses.

As an elected representative, I would appreciate your response and an outline of how you will assist those of us who are concerned, voting, taxpayers.

-James Garrett
407-982-5369
james@jamesg.net