FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August
28, 2001
Governor, Cabinet Take Further Action To
Protect Ichetucknee
--Kirby Mine ceases operation in five days—
TALLAHASSEE
– In a landmark
decision, Governor Jeb Bush and the Florida Cabinet today approved
the purchase of 302 acres within the Ichetucknee Trace Florida
Forever Project, which feeds into the world renowned Ichetucknee
Springs. A highlighted feature of this $10 million Columbia County
purchase agreement is the naming of the Trust for Public Lands
group as the recipient of $1,250,000 from the sellers, Kirby
Development, Inc./Kirby, to be used for acquiring additional
properties within the Ichetucknee Trace, Florida Forever project.
Initial
plans include restoring the damage and erosion caused by years of
limerock mining. In addition to protecting the crystal clear
springs, the purchase removes the threat of groundwater
contamination by further limerock mining. The only active mine
remaining must cease activities on September 2, 2001 – five days
from today.
"People
come from all over the world to visit this famous pristine spring,
which is also a favorite recreation spot for Floridians,"
said DEP Secretary David B. Struhs. "Now, they can be assured
that their children and grandchildren to come will have the same
opportunities to experience its natural beauty. The Governor and
the Cabinet are to be commended for recognizing that the
Ichetucknee is one of Florida’s most valuable natural resources
and must be protected. Today, it is undeniable that the
Ichetucknee Spring and River are better off today than they were
yesterday."
Environmentalists
have long held that Anderson Columbia’s Ichetucknee Trace Mine,
which the state purchased last year, along with the Kirby mine
posed the greatest threat of permanent damage to the Ichetucknee
Spring and River. In five days, with today’s approval of the
Kirby mine purchase, the dynamite blasting and rock drilling
within the Ichetucknee Trace will stop – forever.
The end
result of this restoration will be a public park and fishing area
that will be managed by Columbia County’s Division of Recreation
and Parks along with the Florida Wildlife Conservation Commission.
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