Peacock Springs Needs Your Help!

[mpoucher]

Those of you who have visited Peacock Springs lately may have noticed the land clearing activity to the north of the Park. The Peacock Springs Cave System runs under the cleared land at depths as shallow as 40 feet and contains the water sources to the system from the Distance Tunnel and Challenge Sink. The property contains several karst windows, among them Pump, Baptizing and Walker Springs. This acreage is already within the State's proposed Optimum Park Boundary for Peacock Springs State Park and would be a great addition to the park as well as provide protection for the springshed of Peacock Springs.

We need to show support for state purchase and/or protection of this land. We ask that you write to the representatives listed below to encourage their support for purchase of this sensitive karst area. A letter in your own words has the most impact and some important points to consider are:

- The property contains 633 acres lying north of Peacock Springs State Park in Section 17, Township 4 South, Range 12 East.
- The property was previously identified as part of the Optimum Park Boundary for Peacock Springs State Park.
- It contains three springs and numerous sinkholes.
- The mapped passage of the Peacock Springs Cave System extends into this property and is almost certainly connected hydrologically. A dye study could easily confirm the connection. Protection of the property will help to protect the water quality in Peacock Springs.
- The property is uplands pines habitat, borders on Peacock Springs State Park and is close to the Suwannee Wilderness Trail. It has excellent potential for recreation.
- Peacock Springs is a world-renowned destination for cave diving. The Park attracts thousands of visitors from 48 states and 22 foreign countries.

Contacts:

Governor Jeb Bush
PL 05 The Capitol
400 South Monroe Street
Tallahassee, FL 32399-0001
jeb.bush@myflorida.com

Florida Senate:

Senator Nancy Argenziano
1120 North Suncoast Blvd.
Crystal River, FL 34429
argenziano.nancy.web@flsenate.gov

Senator Rod Smith
4134 NW 28th Lane, Suite 4
Gainesville FL 32606
smith.rob.web@flsenate.gov

Florida House of Representatives:
Rep. Dwight Stansel
Suwannee, Lafayette Counties
208 North Ohio Avenue
Live Oak, FL 32064-2455

Florida Department of Environmental Protection:
Colleen M. Castille
Secretary of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection
3900 Commonwealth Blvd. MS 49
Tallahassee, FL 32399

Bureau of State Lands:

Eva Armstrong, Director of State Lands
Michael Bascom, Springs Initiative
Lynda Godfrey , Chief of Land Acquisition

3900 Commonwealth Blvd. MS 100
Tallahassee, FL 32399

Suwannee County Board of County Commissioners:

Live Oak City Hall
101 SE White Ave.
Live Oak, FL 32064
Jesse Caruthers, Jr., District 1
Douglas M. Udell, District 2
Ivie Fowler, District 3
Billy C. Maxwell, District 4
Randy Hatch, District 5

Suwannee River Water Management District

Jerry A. Scarborough, Executive Director
9225 County Road 49
Live Oak, FL 32060

Thank you for helping to preserve and expand the Peacock Springs State Park. With enough support we can make a difference!

Mike Poucher

[Genesis]

Who owns it now, how's it zoned, and who, if anyone, has talked to them vis-a-vis their intentions?

I can set up my politics-fax petition system as I did with the Cheryl/Emerald project, but I need specifics..... because these faxes OFTEN generate calls (to me) and I need to be armed with facts when the phone starts to ring!

[Kelly Jessop]

Who owns it now, how's it zoned, and who, if anyone, has talked to them vis-a-vis their intentions?

I can set up my politics-fax petition system as I did with the Cheryl/Emerald project, but I need specifics..... because these faxes OFTEN generate calls (to me) and I need to be armed with facts when the phone starts to ring!

Karl
Your efforts are greatly appreciated,and I agree with Michael Poucher that this land needs to be protected since it is hydrologically connected to Peacock.
There has been a transition in park management and they have been made aware of the urgency and need to obtain this property. I have been in communication with DEP people to work on this. Michael has targeted some key people that communicating this to them would help the process.
Thanks

[Ken Roop]

Who owns the property, a timber company or an individual?

[Tegg]

Who owns the property, a timber company or an individual?

Looked like an investor... selling the lots of 10 acre tracts for $10K an acre.

[mpoucher]

My latest information says 400 of the 633 acres are still available. Letters from out of state or other countries carry a lot of weight at the higher levels (Governor, Senate, House, agency heads, etc) because of the tourism industry in Florida. Letters of local support, especially to County officials also carry weight and their support is critical at the State level. Form letters are OK, but don't have nearly the impact a personal letter does. It doesn't have to be long or involved, just state your support of buying the property and the fact that you visit or live in the area for recreation/diving.

There are several groups looking at the purchase, but without support from higher up, their efforts may come to nothing.

Thanks for your help

Mike Poucher