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OCALA – The Florida Department of Environmental
Protection (DEP), Marion County and The Nature
Conservancy (TNC) today announced a partnership to
purchase property near Silver Springs from Avatar
Properties, Inc. The potential purchase, which will be
voted on by the Governor and Cabinet in the coming
weeks, will place 4,471 acres in conservation and
protect the water quality of Silver Springs.
“Through this public-private partnership, the State
can acquire a critical piece of land near Silver
Springs, preserving water quality and native habitats in
perpetuity,” said DEP Secretary Colleen M. Castille.
“Silver Springs is a popular part of Florida’s natural
and cultural heritage. This acquisition will protect a
part of Florida’s history and one of the largest
artesian springs in the world.”
DEP, TNC and Marion County are working together to
acquire this 4,471-acre parcel that is critical to the
health and water quality of Silver Springs. With 13
known sinkholes, the area acts as a pristine recharge
area for one of the largest first magnitude springs in
the nation. The property is a mosaic of uplands, marshes
and swamps and provides habitat for rare and threatened
wildlife species, including the Florida black bear, bald
eagle and red-cockaded woodpecker.
“The Nature Conservancy is so proud to partner with
the Department of Environmental Protection and Marion
County with the protection of this watershed, critical
to the health of one of Florida's most important
springs,” said Victoria Tschinkel, Florida director of
The Nature Conservancy.
The springs provide a number of recreational and
educational opportunities, including nearby Silver River
State Park and Silver River Museum and Environmental
Education Center, and the property contains numerous
mounds and artifacts of indigenous people. In addition,
several films have been made at Silver Springs,
including Creature from the Black Lagoon and the Sea
Hunt series starring Lloyd Bridges.
“This property represents an important part of Marion
County’s legacy,” said Marion County Commission Chairman
Jim Payton. “The Board of County Commissioners is proud
to be part of this purchase on behalf of our citizens
and our future. We want to congratulate Secretary
Castille and her staff, Senator Lynn, and the many
others who have worked tirelessly to make this happen.
This may be the most significant environmental success
in the history of Marion County, and one of the greatest
in the state.”
This purchase will be part of the Florida First
Magnitude Springs Florida Forever project,
focusing on land near Florida’s first magnitude springs
that discharge more than 100 cubic feet of water per
second. Florida’s springs, scattered through northern
and central Florida, contribute to the Floridan Aquifer
and the drinking water of Florida’s residents. The
springs, with clear, continuously flowing waters, are
among Florida’s most important natural resources and are
famous tourist attractions.
“Avatar Properties, Inc. praises the State of
Florida, DEP, TNC and Marion County for coming together
to help preserve the area and its overall natural
beauty,” said Dennis J. Getman, Executive Vice President
of Avatar Properties, Inc. “Avatar is very pleased that
future generations will have the opportunity to enjoy
the recreational benefits the area will provide and the
magnificent Silver Springs that will be protected."
The Florida Springs Initiative, established by
Governor Jeb Bush in 2001, is the first comprehensive,
coordinated plan to restore and protect Florida’s more
than 700 freshwater springs. Last year the Florida
Springs Initiative set aside more than $300,000 to
protect spring ecosystems, water quality and flow within
Florida’s award-winning state park system.
The 10-year, $3 billion Florida Forever
program established by Governor Bush conserves
environmentally sensitive land, restores water resources
and preserves important cultural and historic resources.
For more information, visit
www.FloridaForever.org.
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