Big Bend Byway dedicated Thursday

Published March, 21, 2007
The Big Bend Scenic Byway dedication is 5:30 to 7 p.m. Thursday at the Wakulla Springs State Park Lodge, 550 Wakulla Park Drive, in Wakulla Springs.
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Wakulla told: No more standard septic tanks

Published March 13, 2007 Tallahasseee Democrat
The Florida Department of Community Affairs is warning Wakulla County against issuing standard septic tank permits for new developments.

The Wakulla County Commission last October adopted policies requiring new septic systems countywide to reduce nitrogen in groundwater, but has delayed implementing the requirement.
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Spray field's problem: location

Published March 14, 2007 Tallahassee Democrat
What agencies in their right mind would permit Tallahassee to locate a spray field on the porous lime rock that feeds the headwaters of Wakulla Springs?

The spray field is not a new problem. It first surfaced when I was a Wakulla County commissioner from 1990 to 1994. Residents of the River Sink community in northern Wakulla County off Highway 319 complained bitterly that their drinking water was contaminated. All wells were tested by the Department of Environmental Protection and the health department; they were indeed polluted although officials hemmed and hawed about the source.
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Florida's natural attractions make great mini-vacations

Published March 09, 2007
Spring Breakers not leaving town next week can make their own mini-vacation by taking in some of North Florida's natural attractions.

Ginnie Springs offers canoeing, camping, scuba diving, swimming, volleyball and nature trails. The park provides rentals for all activities.
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Pure Water Wilderness group ready to distribute DVD

Published 3/8/07
Florida's Pure Water Wilderness, which is also known as the Dixie-Gilchrist-Levy Tourist Development Board, is on the brink of completing a DVD it plans to distribute to chambers of commerce in the tri-county area, PWW Executive Director Donna Creamer said.
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Take a dip in the springs at Wakulla

Published March 4, 2007 (Travel Section)
Ironically, the thing that put Wakulla on the map lived thousands of years ago. That's right, scientists and archaeologists have been flocking to Wakulla and its springs for more than a hundred years to poke around the remains of giant prehistoric mastodons. Some bones still can be spotted, though the bones of at least nine animals were found as far as 1,200 feet back into the underwater cave.
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County, lab at odds over water standards

Published February 27, 2007 Tallahassee Democrat
County officials are disagreeing with a recommendation in a study that calls on them to set lower nitrogen limits in groundwater in southern Leon County.

Some scientists have criticized the state groundwater standard for nitrate-nitrogen. They say it allows at least 10 times more nitrogen in groundwater than is healthy for springs.
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Weeki Wachee Springs, home of the live mermaids, still struggling

Posted 3/3/07
The newly spruced up theme park remains embroiled in a distasteful dispute over its lease with a state agency that Weeki Wachee Springs' owners say could spell the end for one of the remaining tourist gems of old Florida, celebrating its 60th anniversary this year.

Situated along U.S. 19 - a major tourist trail in the days before Interstate 75 - Weeki Wachee Springs debuted its underwater show in 1947, featuring young women in fish tails breathing compressed air through hoses as they somersaulted and back-flipped through choreographed routines.
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Area land marked for conservation

Published February 28, 2007
Florida's land acquisition program is considering buying four properties in the region, including a nearly 6,200-acre addition to the Goethe State Forest in Levy County.

Gov. Charlie Crist and the Florida Cabinet on Tuesday approved adding the projects to Florida Forever's highest-priority acquisition list. The change opens the door to begin negotiations with property owners.
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Swiftmud to Weeki Wachee: Make a decision

Published February 28, 2007
The Southwest Florida Water Management District wants Weeki Wachee Springs to make a decision. While the two sides are still expected to go to Circuit Court in August, the water district wants the water park to accept a lease they say was agreed on last year. If that doesn't happen by April 20, then the offer is off the table, said Swiftmud spokesman Michael Molligan.
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City moves to protect springs

Published February 28, 2007
The City Council gave city staffers permission Monday to pursue a grant that would protect the area surrounding Three Sisters Springs

Local environmentalists are concerned about housing units that are planned for the Three Sisters property. The grant would allow the city to purchase the land around the springs for protection, though such a move would not prevent the planned development.

The grant, offered through the Florida Communities Trust, is for around $6-million.
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