Florida's new governor, Rick Scott, and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) are proposing the closing of numerous (53 at last count) state parks and aquatic preserves in an effort to save money in the current budget. Many of these closings would directly affect divers by eliminating dive sites that have been available for decades. Proposed closures include, Madison Blue Spring, Fort Pickens, Peacock Springs, Crystal River Archeological state park and many others.
Most of the closures close areas open for diving, snorkeling, swimming, horseback riding, kayaking, camping, hiking, fishing and other recreational activities. While only a few of the closures may directly affect divers by eliminating dive sites, all of the closures directly affect the local economies of the areas surrounding each of the sites.
You can find more information on the GCD blog page.
Even if you do not live in Florida you need to let Florida's governor and state legislators know closing these areas is not the way to proceed.
Most of the closures close areas open for diving, snorkeling, swimming, horseback riding, kayaking, camping, hiking, fishing and other recreational activities. While only a few of the closures may directly affect divers by eliminating dive sites, all of the closures directly affect the local economies of the areas surrounding each of the sites.
You can find more information on the GCD blog page.
Even if you do not live in Florida you need to let Florida's governor and state legislators know closing these areas is not the way to proceed.