Additional Sponsors

Friends of the Chassahowitzka National Wildlife Refuge

City Boosts Springs Project

The point was obvious to everyone in the room, but Mike Dunn stated it anyway.

"Three Sisters," the tour boat captain said, "is the last crystal water we have in Crystal River."

Crystal River City Council members agreed by voting 5-0 to have the city act as the agent seeking a state grant that could lead to the purchase of the coveted Three Sisters Springs property.

Council members, led by Mayor Ron Kitchen, made it clear, however, that their interest in preserving the property from development should not come at great financial risk to city taxpayers.

"I can support this in concept if I know what the details are," Kitchen said.

The council received enough assurances from an audience that included environmental leaders, elected officials and state officials that the purchase price and management of the springs property would be shared regionally.

"I'm excited by everything I've heard tonight," Kitchen said.

The council vote directs City Manager Andy Houston to work with environmental groups, such as Save the Manatee Club and Friends of the Chassahowitzka National Wildlife Refuge, to develop a grant application.

Up to $6.6 million is available from the Florida Conservation Trust, or FCT, Houston said. George Wilson, with The Conservation Fund, said his organization could foot most of the approximately $20,000 needed to pay a grant writer.

The Three Sisters property is 60 acres of undisturbed uplands that front Three Sisters Springs and Kings Bay. The springs themselves are a hugely popular gathering place for manatees and the public.

Conservation groups have urged public ownership of the property for years, fearing that development could endanger manatees and quality of the spring water.

Tampa businessman Hal Flowers bought the property in 2005 for $10.5 million. He is proposing a housing development on the land, and also has a permit renewal application pending with the Southwest Florida Water Management District to draw water from a lake on the property for a water-bottling operation.

Now Flowers has indicated interest in selling the property to the state to protect it from development, Houston said.

The water management agency, commonly called Swiftmud, is conducting a market appraisal of the property, Wilson told the council.

To be eligible for the grant, the city must present a management plan to the state. If approved for the grant and the property is sold, the city would have ownership and then, perhaps, lease it out to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for use as a manatee observation and education center.

Council members received plenty of backing Wednesday.

Citrus County Commissioner Dennis Damato urged the city to move forward with the project and then promised he would bring the matter to the commission for support.

State Rep. Ron Schultz, R-Homosassa, said he would do the same thing on the state level.

A few residents promised to donate out of their own pockets to help with a grant match, if that would help.

Ralph DuBall said he plans to return the recent city tax rebate that he received.

"I'll not only give back my rebate check, I'll throw another thousand bucks in as well," he said.

John Peterlin, with the Friends of the Chassahowitzka, also offered to help.

"I'm convinced this can (happy) if we've got the will," Peterlin said. "If this happens, I'm going to put my money in there too."

K.C. Nayfield, a member of the city's waterfronts advisory board, said the best chance for receiving the grant rests with the city taking the lead.

"This grant may be the best bet and the city will be the best bet to get that grant," he said. "This is a true community effort."

Back to Articles