No Diving at Promise and Cream?

[JSNTP]

Went for a hike around Leon Sinks today and noticed new Forest Service signs posted at Promise and Cream Sinks (I think it's Cream - it's the sink where Wakulla Dive Club just put steps in) that say no scuba diving allowed by forest supervisor. We also saw a trail camera had been installed. Anyone know what's going on? I thought the Forest Service was okay with diving there.
Bonnie Stelzenmuller

[RN]

That sign went up over 6 months ago. I heard that they unofficially said it's not being enforced. Personally I'm not taking any chances. As much as I like that system there are a lot more systems around to dive that don't have signs.

[Kelly Jessop]

That sign went up over 6 months ago. I heard that they unofficially said it's not being enforced. Personally I'm not taking any chances. As much as I like that system there are a lot more systems around to dive that don't have signs.

I agree Rob. Hard the explain that to a deputy while they are arresting you and impounding your gear.

[SuPrBuGmAn]

Yeah, in the last 6 months, they put in signs. Under the current management we were allowed access, but they've rewritten some of the rules at this point and diving is no longer permitted.

Which is a real shame as this is a very nice, shallow portion of the Leon Sinks area.

[JSNTP]

Thanks for the explanation. We're only here in the winter so this is the first time we've seen the sign. We usually hike in to check things out before we dive, and I guess we won't be diving there. Too bad - I hate to see more caves being posted - whether it's enforced or not.

[billyf]

yea if we could get a law passed that said its all open or all closed.

so if its closed that means its F#CK!NG CLOSED and NO permit will get you in!

If that happened you'ed see a lot of closed caves magically open!!

[SuPrBuGmAn]

yea if we could get a law passed that said its all open or all closed.

so if its closed that means its F#CK!NG CLOSED and NO permit will get you in!

If that happened you'ed see a lot of closed caves magically open!!

What? You mean some divers(or groups) would help open more caves if their private(permit) caves were taken away? Say it aint so?

[Kelly Jessop]

yea if we could get a law passed that said its all open or all closed.

so if its closed that means its F#CK!NG CLOSED and NO permit will get you in!

If that happened you'ed see a lot of closed caves magically open!!

Caves totally closed,even to a permit,are more likely closed due to liability concern,and more likely not going to get open unless you purchase the land. At least a cave open with a permit does allow cave diving,and can show the land owner that the activity can be done safely. Emerald is a good example. It was a permit only site,that through efforts became available for recreational cave diving,but if it was totally closed that may have been a different story. Why hasn't Hornsby opened? Totally closed and will probably remain that way.

[DA Aquamaster]

I think he's just saying that when certain "groups" or "divers" have their own special preserves they have a lot less incentive to use their influence to open caves in general. He's not saying that there would not be some downsides, he's just saying the community as a whole might get more done as a whole than is the case now with special interests and factions within the community.

[Kelly Jessop]

I think he's just saying that when certain "groups" or "divers" have their own special preserves they have a lot less incentive to use their influence to open caves in general. He's not saying that there would not be some downsides, he's just saying the community as a whole might get more done as a whole than is the case now with special interests and factions within the community.

I understand this,and this reinforces what I am saying. Even certain groups in the process of doing their project in closed by permit systems are proving that the activity can be done safely. This provides some precedence when attempting to open a place,unlike a place that is closed to all forms of activity. Do these divers have an incentive to open up a place,probably not,but they do help the process unbeknownst to them.