In a Thursday night meeting that lasted over three hours, people expressed concern for the wildlife and visitors to a park rich in history. Others said their desire to dive at the spring is being misinterpreted.
"I thought we had a good turnout. Had 253 people on the sign-in sheet, so, I think it was excellent representation of the public," said Brian Fugate, Park Manager at Wakulla Springs.
Now, officials say they will review all of the comments and decide what the next step will be.
Casey McKinlay is against the proposal. He said, "How do you weigh, or balance expert testimony from researchers and archaeologists against people who just want to come and dive?"
Many people in the dive industry say the key would be to allow regulated diving.
"People could safely open water dive in Wakulla Springs and not have a problem as long as they stick to diving within their certification and training limits," said Travis Kersting, an area diver.
As for concerns about divers disrupting swimmers who enjoy the park, divers say it is a non-issue.
"There are other state parks where cave diving and swimmers, they all coexist and there's really been no problems," said diver Mike Poucher.
The park's busy season begins in March and all parties hope to have an answer by then.
Source: WCTV
Saturday, January 21, 2012
Wakulla Springs Cave Diving Debate
In a Thursday night meeting that lasted over three hours, people expressed concern for the wildlife and visitors to a park rich in history. Others said their desire to dive at the spring is being misinterpreted.
"I thought we had a good turnout. Had 253 people on the sign-in sheet, so, I think it was excellent representation of the public," said Brian Fugate, Park Manager at Wakulla Springs.
Now, officials say they will review all of the comments and decide what the next step will be.
Casey McKinlay is against the proposal. He said, "How do you weigh, or balance expert testimony from researchers and archaeologists against people who just want to come and dive?"
Many people in the dive industry say the key would be to allow regulated diving.
"People could safely open water dive in Wakulla Springs and not have a problem as long as they stick to diving within their certification and training limits," said Travis Kersting, an area diver.
As for concerns about divers disrupting swimmers who enjoy the park, divers say it is a non-issue.
"There are other state parks where cave diving and swimmers, they all coexist and there's really been no problems," said diver Mike Poucher.
The park's busy season begins in March and all parties hope to have an answer by then.
Source: WCTV
"I thought we had a good turnout. Had 253 people on the sign-in sheet, so, I think it was excellent representation of the public," said Brian Fugate, Park Manager at Wakulla Springs.
Now, officials say they will review all of the comments and decide what the next step will be.
Casey McKinlay is against the proposal. He said, "How do you weigh, or balance expert testimony from researchers and archaeologists against people who just want to come and dive?"
Many people in the dive industry say the key would be to allow regulated diving.
"People could safely open water dive in Wakulla Springs and not have a problem as long as they stick to diving within their certification and training limits," said Travis Kersting, an area diver.
As for concerns about divers disrupting swimmers who enjoy the park, divers say it is a non-issue.
"There are other state parks where cave diving and swimmers, they all coexist and there's really been no problems," said diver Mike Poucher.
The park's busy season begins in March and all parties hope to have an answer by then.
Source: WCTV
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cave diving,
Tourist cave,
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