Good News

[tflaris]

By BILL KACZOR
Associated Press
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- Gov. Rick Scott said no on Friday to the idea of closing some of Florida's state parks as a cost-cutting measure and defended his proposal to reduce spending by the state's five water management districts through a 25 percent cut in their property taxes.

The state Department of Environmental Protection proposed last fall to temporarily close 53 of Florida's 160 state parks after agencies were asked to come up with ideas to cut spending by 15 percent.

Similar park-closing proposals were made in the past two years, but no parks have been shut down.

"We've got great parks, and we've got to make sure we preserve them and take care of them," Scott said Friday after visiting the department's headquarters.

He noted Florida's state parks attract 20 million visitors every year and that they're a two-time winner of the National Gold Medal for state parks awarded by National Recreation and Park Association.

The parks on the department's proposed closure list have the lowest visitation numbers and lack camping facilities.

The $65.9 billion annual budget proposal Scott rolled out this week includes a two-year "tax holiday" for the water management districts. Scott figures the 25 percent tax cut will save property owners $178 million in the budget year beginning July 1 and $182 million the next year.

Scott said the districts would have to try to operate with less money just like taxpayers are having to tighten their belts because of Florida's stagnant economy.

The new Republican governor has made cutting taxes, state spending and regulations key components in his drive to create new jobs by making Florida more business-friendly.



Read more: http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/02/1...#ixzz1Dz9uURYh

[FW]

It is good news, but why quit, just because we are ahead?

[Kelly Jessop]

It is good news, but why quit, just because we are ahead?

I agree. This was done last year,and again this year,and probably next year,and eventually the axe will drop. 2 things- if the cave diving community make it known how they feel about these parks,then perhaps next year these parks will be left off the list. But,it is time for leadership in these counties to understand the economic impact cave divers make,and there is a form of ecotourism that needs to be promoted. Once this catches on,site access has the potential to be easier.

[Ben M]

So what do we need to do differently? Obviously status quo isn't good enough. How do we make our impact known?

[JCGoodwin]

Well for starters I will purchase a year pass which if all us out of state folks should do anyways.
I think as mentioned on other threads there should be better attendance records at the Iron rangers.
The business of writing the law makers and state reps needs to be actively pursued.
The state of FL needs to understand that the cave diving community as a whole is willing to work with them on keeping these diving parks open!
Bring back the $15 a day dive fee or buy a pass, I am not certain why it changed but that would generate more income.
Florida is in the straights that many of our states are in and it is not going to get easier till the economy improves!
Oops I let that one slip, contrary to the powers at be it is still faltering in many states which is making it difficult for parks and the DNR.

JCG

[Tegg]

WTF is this in this above... "includes a two-year "tax holiday" for the water management districts." and what affect will that have?

[OFG-1]

WTF is this in this above... "includes a two-year "tax holiday" for the water management districts." and what affect will that have?

The water management districts have regulations that impact businesses and development. The Gov is trying to unwind almost all of the regulatory functions that effect business. As example, he has proposed reducing the Department of Community Affairs from about 360 employees to less than 60. The Water Management Districts have taken over stormwater permitting from the DEP, and stormwater permits effect development. That is not all they do, they permit water wells, set and maintain drainage structures and canals, and set the water levels in Okeechobee and other catchments.

[John Ploegert]

So what do we need to do differently? Obviously status quo isn't good enough. How do we make our impact known?

According to State Representative Elizabeth Porter's recent article in the Suwannee Democrat, DEP estimates the typical visitor to Florida State Parks contibutes $43 to our local communities. It is not clear but I assume that is on a per day basis. My very unscientific estimate of what the cavedivers who stay with us spend for accommodations, food, local transportation, air and other dive consumables, park fees and miscellaneous expenses is at least $125 per day each. This is for a very small sample of all of the divers who visit Suwannee County every year and I suspect it is on the low side of how much most of them spend. I suggest NFSA conduct a survey of the membership to get a real number for how much the typical cavediver spends locally each day, (and enough cavedivers respond to make the results meaningful) and make that number known to Representative Porter and our other Legislators to compare and contrast with DEP's number. It will also help our cause if we can give them valid estimates of the total number of all Cavediver-days spent in Suwannee County, and statewide, each year, and do the math to show cavediving's total economic impact.

John Ploegert