Take Action: Protect Wakulla Springs State Park on June 17 in Tallahassee

Having trouble reading this email? Click here to read it online. Audubon Florida Advocate June 2014 Help Audubon's Policy Team Tell Your Friends Send this message to your friends and family! Stay Connected Bookmark the Audubon Florida News Blog Take Action: Protect Wakulla Springs State Park Defend our springs, join Audubon at a public hearing onJune 17 in Tallahassee.  Wakulla Springs State Park From 7-9 PM on June 17, the Florida Park Service will host a public meeting for Tallahassee Community College’s Wakulla Environmental Institute (WEI) to present its proposal to lease 2,000 acres of Wakulla Springs State Park for 50 years to build and operate a 60-site campground. Public comment will be accepted at that time. While few details have been made public, some information was made available in coverage by the Tallahassee Democrat on May 28. WEI, which has the stated goal of training natural resource professionals of the future, would like to construct and operate the campground and install restrooms at Cherokee Sink in the hope of one day opening it for recreational use. The sink is currently closed to swimming due to poor water quality. In 2011, a proposal by the Department of Environmental Protection to develop a large equestrian campground near this same location drew public ire and was eventually withdrawn due to concerns for impacts to natural resources including the vulnerable cave system underlying the property, which conveys water to Wakulla Spring. Audubon encourages our members and other advocates to attend this public meeting, learn more about the proposal, and ensure public involvement as this proposal is considered. DEP staff have advised that the process for this lease proposal would not require another public meeting before taking the lease before the State Acquisition and Restoration Council (ARC) -- even though the public has not been given any formal information about the details of the proposal prior to the June 17opportunity for public comment. When the proposed lease is taken to ARC, it may have conditions attached but will not provide any detail about the management of the property—WEI will be allowed to develop a management plan for approval by ARC after the lease is granted. You can make a difference - join Audubon at this important hearing on June 17. Learn more about the proposal and make your voice heard during the public comment portion of the meeting. Some questions Audubon will be considering as we review the more detailed proposal: Is this an appropriate use for public lands? And is this scale of campground an appropriate use for this parcel? Will the lease agreement adequately compensate the public for the private use of this conservation land? What will the project entail, what are its potential impacts to the site’s natural resources, and how will this be monitored? And is it appropriate to move quickly to ARC approval without substantial details of the project made available for public review and comment? Public Hearing June 17, 2014 7PM - 9PM Live Oak Room Woodville Community Center 8000 Old Woodville Road Tallahassee, FL 32305 Meeting agenda Individuals wishing to comment who are unable to attend the meeting may email lewis.scruggs@dep.state.fl.us. Update your profile | Modify your email preferences or unsubscribe

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