Telford is Closed! ???

[FW]

What if they don't charge, but we just donate money to fence/gate the property and maintain it? No requirement to donate, but donations could be accepted through the local shops (if they agree to take this on). The keys wouldn't be withheld from those who don't donate, but I'm sure word would get out...

That is actually being done by SCCI. They buy, or lease "dry" caves, and let anyone go in them. They do ask for donations, but don't require them.

http://www.scci.org

[DogDiver]

I talked with the Suwannee River Water Management District property procurment department. They have the property "land Locked" Nothing can be done with the property as it lies within the floodplane. No building or recreational facilities can be built. As a governmental domain, they have first right of refusal when the property becomes available for sale. The shootings and murder on this site a few months ago have the owners in a negotiating mood. In the end, this will become a SRWMD property, and then turned over to the state. As a Suwannee county resident I have been active in discussions with the management district on property procurment. Ken.

[Webmaster]

There is at least one 'dry' cave up this way that was kept open when the owner started charging. But, he charges for parking, not access to the cave. It's not that much, like 5$ a vehicle, but it keeps him happy and the cave open to visitation.

Occasionally someone will park down the road and walk up, but if you can get 3-4 people in a car what's $1.50 / head?

[metaldector]

Let's clear one thing up. The two murders were not committed at Telford Sink. The murders occured on the road to Telford approximately 400 feet from Cave Excursion and at least 3/4 of a mile from the Telford property. Two makeshift memorials are next to the road where this occured. There were no murders at Telford. So statements like "the murders and shooting on this site . . ." Are inaccurate. True the murders were near Telford but closer to the Weigh Station or Lauraville Store than at Telford.

[Ken Hill]

I talked with the Suwannee River Water Management District property procurment department. They have the property "land Locked" Nothing can be done with the property as it lies within the floodplane. No building or recreational facilities can be built. As a governmental domain, they have first right of refusal when the property becomes available for sale. The shootings and murder on this site a few months ago have the owners in a negotiating mood. In the end, this will become a SRWMD property, and then turned over to the state. As a Suwannee county resident I have been active in discussions with the management district on property procurment. Ken.

I reviewed the property records and could not find a transfer to state ownership. However, its a given that SRWMD will own the property at a future point in time. But that is good since all WMD efforts are directed by statute to find the best use for the property. In the past, Madison and Eagles Nest went two separate routes by going to Madison County and the FFWC for management. Intervention by cave diving organizations then allowed for negotiation and the eventual access for cave diving.

It is important to support the cave diving agencies since they speak for thousands of members and are credible making them something the bureaucracy is comfortable with. /Ken

[Janet]

I talked to the people at Luraville Store and they say Telford was closed for a day but is reopened. I've gone to Telford and there are no signs or gates saying to stay out. The trash dumpster is overflowing, not sure what day they pick up but it's been at least a week now. Am I telling you to dive Telford? No, I'm just telling you what the people in the area told me about access to the spring, tomorrow should bring more information since it is a Saturday and will be filled with swimmers.
Janet

[Kelly Jessop]

I talked to the people at Luraville Store and they say Telford was closed for a day but is reopened. I've gone to Telford and there are no signs or gates saying to stay out. The trash dumpster is overflowing, not sure what day they pick up but it's been at least a week now. Am I telling you to dive Telford? No, I'm just telling you what the people in the area told me about access to the spring, tomorrow should bring more information since it is a Saturday and will be filled with swimmers.
Janet

I concur,the weekend,especially a holiday weekend will tell us more. If there is an effort to bring problems under control then we'll see more law enforcement.

Cave divers have demonstrated themselves as good stewards of the property,and perhaps a clean up like that has been done in the past,may be beneficial to future access.

[nic160]

"I concur,the weekend,especially a holiday weekend will tell us more. If there is an effort to bring problems under control then we'll see more law enforcement."

I think I'm going to spend my weekend waching the police run everyone off from Telford, this could get entertaining............

[stairman]

Telford was open today,buisness as usual.I wanted to dive it but my buddy didnt.Two traverses and he was done.I also heard the flow at Little River was way down and wanted to go there too.So many caves,so little time.Peacock and Orange Grove was sweeeeeeet!

[Janet]

Latest update is Telford is going to be closed to the public, there will be a fence put up shortly. The sheriff's dept. does go there and asks people to leave voluntarily. Sorry!
Janet