Mammoth Cave (Silver Springs, FL)

[Gene Powell]

Gene,

I know a handful of people that have been in the head spring area through the years while on scuba, but granted most if not all of that was during photo/film shoots. (I have not been there while working as of yet.)
But, my grandparents used to bring their houseboat up into the spring years ago and family members would swim, etc., while there. So I grew up hearing from others that you can't do this or that at Silver Springs but I knew from past experience that either you could, if you weren't afraid to, or of course if you were working there while on a project.
Having said that, I still don't believe they have a legal right to say no diving there and I think that you would likely just receive some kind of warning or ticket if you actually did get caught. (I'm not talking about cave diving just cavern or open water.)

Gene

Gene,
You could be right, but I'm not one of those financially able to fight the legal battles. I know the state has been threatening to do something about the people swimming under the fence at JB for some time now, but I don't think they have actually done any thing to anyone. I know Ed posted a sign warning people who travel there by boat that they will be arrested if they step on shore.
I think the biggest difference here is that a private business is involved.The People who lease the attraction from the state probably paid for the rights to the springs as commercial property. Since the commodity being sold(leased) here is based on people paying to look at a natural wonder from a glass bottom boat, The leaser might have a legitimate complaint if the state allows divers to diminish the natural state of the springs. Whether or not they have the right to do it is debatable. What I'm saying is that you may have a party willing to push for a harsher stance against someone encroaching on their rights. Someone with plenty of financing.
Any time you want to go dive the river, let me know. The vis is dying rapidly and the Eel grass is disappearing fast, but I hope to get some descent shots of whats left before it's all gone.

[WEPIV]

Thanks Gene, I'll shoot you a PM. Yes, we need to document (photograph) conditions to not only show what they are like now but to also try to save/protect them.
I can also see your point about the Silver Springs park people wanting to "protect" their attraction but at what personal freedom cost.
I have a cousin who is an attorney down south and we have already talked about some of these "riparian rights."

[Gene Powell]

Another possibility could be the fact that power boating is big in Marion county. If a diver gets in, and displays his flag, it prohibits power boats from "utilizing" the spring. This would explain the county's interest.

[curtschu]

This law dates back a while so I would tend to believe it is just ignorance to how far cave diving has come. But like any government unless you hit them in the pocket book it is just easier to say no. In light of current state of county finances they might be disinclind to fight an expensive legal battle. With all this said from what I understand from folks that have dove both, Silver Glenn really is the only one worth it.