Governor and Cabinet Preserve for Future, Protect Florida’s Past

Press Office

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 13, 2002

Governor and Cabinet Preserve for Future, Protect Florida’s Past

-- State’s largest spring and a 2000-year old archaeological site among approvals --

TALLAHASSEE - A unanimous vote today by Governor Jeb Bush and the Florida Cabinet adds further protection to Wakulla Springs, Florida’s largest spring, by preserving miles of the system’s deep aqueous caverns. The area serves as a primary recharge area of the Floridan aquifer and holds most of the region’s drinking water supply.

“We know how important it is to protect Florida’s springs but also recognize the significance of protecting the quality of water feeding those systems,” said Florida Department of Environmental Protection Secretary David B. Struhs. “I’d like to thank Governor Jeb Bush and the Cabinet for helping to preserve this first magnitude spring and other precious resources.”

Connecting Wakulla Springs State Park with the Apalachicola National Forest, the 3,866 acre Wakulla Springs Protection Zone Florida Forever project provides unique camping, hiking, and hunting opportunities, while also protecting one of the largest and deepest artesian springs in the world. With this important addition just 11 percent of the protection zone remains for acquisition.

A few hundred miles south in Lee County, almost 50 acres of an internationally significant archaeological site were added to the Pineland Site Complex Florida Forever project. Today’s Cabinet vote preserves historical remains dating back almost 2,000 years. Inhabited by the Calusa Indians for more than a thousand years, the site contains burial and midden grounds, remnants of an Indian-engineered canal, and buried deposits containing organic remains.

“This acquisition preserves natural lands for the future while safeguarding our link to Florida’s past,” said Struhs. “It provides a tremendous opportunity for the public to learn how the ancient inhabitants of this developing area lived.”

Natural habitats within the project include red and black mangroves, a tidal saltern and creek, ponds used by several threatened species including the white ibis, egrets, herons, and wood storks, and an intertidal oyster community. The Florida Museum of Natural History will manage the property as a research and educational center.

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Resources for: Citizens Educators Businesses Government Information Calendar Contacts News Newsletters Organizational Chart Publications & Reports Unless indicated, documents on this Web site are Adobe Acrobat files, and require the free reader software.	Press Office FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 13, 2002 Governor and Cabinet Preserve for Future, Protect Florida’s Past -- State’s largest spring and a 2000-year old archaeological site among approvals -- TALLAHASSEE - A unanimous vote today by Governor Jeb Bush and the Florida Cabinet adds further protection to Wakulla Springs, Florida’s largest spring, by preserving miles of the system’s deep aqueous caverns. The area serves as a primary recharge area of the Floridan aquifer and holds most of the region’s drinking water supply. “We know how important it is to protect Florida’s springs but also recognize the significance of protecting the quality of water feeding those systems,” said Florida Department of Environmental Protection Secretary David B. Struhs. “I’d like to thank Governor Jeb Bush and the Cabinet for helping to preserve this first magnitude spring and other precious resources.” Connecting Wakulla Springs State Park with the Apalachicola National Forest, the 3,866 acre Wakulla Springs Protection Zone Florida Forever project provides unique camping, hiking, and hunting opportunities, while also protecting one of the largest and deepest artesian springs in the world. With this important addition just 11 percent of the protection zone remains for acquisition. A few hundred miles south in Lee County, almost 50 acres of an internationally significant archaeological site were added to the Pineland Site Complex Florida Forever project. Today’s Cabinet vote preserves historical remains dating back almost 2,000 years. Inhabited by the Calusa Indians for more than a thousand years, the site contains burial and midden grounds, remnants of an Indian-engineered canal, and buried deposits containing organic remains. “This acquisition preserves natural lands for the future while safeguarding our link to Florida’s past,” said Struhs. “It provides a tremendous opportunity for the public to learn how the ancient inhabitants of this developing area lived.” Natural habitats within the project include red and black mangroves, a tidal saltern and creek, ponds used by several threatened species including the white ibis, egrets, herons, and wood storks, and an intertidal oyster community. The Florida Museum of Natural History will manage the property as a research and educational center. -30- Sign up for DEP's Press Releases email: Last updated: June 15, 2004
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