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Post by JES on May 5, 2004 5:44:28 GMT -8
Here is the latest on Weeki Wachee:
Judge to decide Weeki Wachee's fate Wednesday, March 31 The future of a Hernando County tourist attraction is in limbo. Regional water managers say they'll ask a judge to decide whether the city of Weeki Wachee can keep running Weeki Wachee Springs. The Southwest Florida Water Management District owns the land, and it filed a lawsuit accusing the park of violating its lease. The park's attorney immediately filed its own lawsuit, asking for a finding that no breach occurred. If the judge finds the lease invalid, the water district could find a private company to run the park. The park is located at the intersection of U.S. 19 and State Road 50 in Hernando County.
So for now I guess it is open. The published contact for diving at the park (if Silver Springs falls through) is: Monica @352-596-2062 ext. 14
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Post by Danny D on May 9, 2004 20:45:28 GMT -8
We should anchor ourselves to the bottom in protest hahahah ;D
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Post by Jack Wilhelm on May 19, 2004 5:13:46 GMT -8
Hi guys , I've now worked my way up to the General Manager of the Silver Springs Park, a Mr. Gallagher. Haven't spoken with him personally yet, but did speak yesterday with his personal assistant, a great gal named Karen. And me being a cave diver, was aware of what she had to tell me that we'd have to go secure the always feared "Department of Environmental Protection Permits." This isn't an easy process and these permits aren't just given for the pleasure of diving like we'd like to do for one day in the spring basin. One has to have a "scientific pursuit" to normally be able to get these permits. I do find this a challenge, but would it be worth going thru all the time, effort and paperwork to acquire a purpose and permit to dive one time for less than an hour total bottom time. And the other thing that Karen made me aware of is that we'd have to dive prior to 930 am on whatever day we'd be there because they don't want us in the water with the glass bottom boats operating overhead - liability stuff. Before I totally give up on this I'm gonna talk to some of my cave diving research buddies that have had these permits to see what the process involves. At least educate myself. Maybe we can pursue another location later if this doesn't pan out further than this. Sorry for the not so good news, but I kinda new some of this before I started the query process. Stay tuned for maybe one last installment, Jack.
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Post by MikeM on Jun 6, 2004 20:58:08 GMT -8
Hi Jack,
For whatever it's worth, I'd love to go diving Silver Springs as well, if it somehow panned out. I'd be interested in a vintage dive at another location in Florida if that's how it goes too.
I confess I'm curious what drives the need for the Department of Environmental Protection permit at Silver Springs....do the springs have some special environmental status compared to other sites? (Just pondering where and how often that obstacle might be encountered by divers).
You've got my thanks for your efforts, regardless of how it turns out.
Mike
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Post by JES on Jul 23, 2004 13:59:58 GMT -8
Jack,
Any updates on Silver Springs since your last post on 05/19/2004?
Thanks for your efforts.
Joe
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Post by Frank Adkins on Jul 26, 2004 12:38:48 GMT -8
New to the web site but old mate with the double hose! Have a new "old one" and I think Silver Springs is a great idea. Spent many hours there in years past wishing for a chance to dive!
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