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District backs springs project

Citrus County School District officials expressed their support Tuesday for the local effort to buy Three Sisters Springs and save it from development.

Chuck Dixon, school district planning and growth management director, presented a letter to Citrus County School Board members at their workshop. The letter is addressed to the Florida Department of Community Affairs, on behalf of the school district, and explains the district's backing of the city of Crystal River in its mission to make Three Sisters Springs public property.

The city of Crystal River is the lead agency looking to purchase the land.

"It's probably the most unique piece of land in Citrus County," Dixon said. "It would be in the community's best interest to have it in public ownership."

The Three Sisters project is one of 91 projects seeking a portion of the $63 million in funds from the Florida Community Trust (FCT) program, a state land acquisition grant program.

The projects are ranked based on a point system; top-ranked projects will receive money. The criteria to earn points are based on the comprehensive plan for the land, as well as the land's location, its educational and community benefits, quality and natural, environmental and historic resources.

The Three Sisters project ranks 41st on the FCT's list of 91 projects. It has 150 points; the top-ranked project, purchase of the Steinhatchee Fish Market in Taylor County, has 185 points.

The FCT Governing Board meets Sept. 4 to decide which conservation and environmental protection projects will share the funds.

At that time, the governing board is allowed to award up to 10 excellence points to the projects' point totals, Ken Reecy, FCT program manager, said.

The school district's letter could help the Sister Springs project earn points because it exhibits community support, Reecy explained.

Crystal River is seeking $6.3 million, which is the most any project is allowed to acquire.

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