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Residents, Officials Become Family To Save Three Sisters Springs

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: July 7, 2008

The Tampa Bay Rays are this year's feel-good story in the region, but north of the Bay area another group also is showing that teamwork can put dreams on the verge of coming true, in this case preserving a pristine piece of Florida that not long ago seemed destined for development.

In an inspiring display of cooperation, environmentalists, everyday folks and public officials are working to save Three Sisters Springs, a natural jewel in Citrus County, from a planned housing development on surrounding land.

If enough money can be raised from private and public sources, the springs, on Kings Bay, will be placed into public ownership, allowing residents and visitors to enjoy a natural wonder and, more important, protecting drinking water supplies and the manatees that flourish there.

Three Sisters, obviously, would be a splendid addition to either state or federal conservation lands in Florida.

If that possibility isn't exciting enough, this story has a twist that is as refreshing as a dip in Three Sisters. Tampa developer Hal Flowers, who bought the 60-acre site for $10.5 million three years ago, is willing to sell.

Flowers was moved when he helped a young manatee that had been wounded in the springs. The animal, named Baby Sister, survived.

"I could not have asked for anything more to give me the understanding of the importance of saving that place," he later told The St. Petersburg Times.

Flowers should be commended for his willingness to protect the environment. Granted, if the deal can be consummated, he will be paid - perhaps as much as $15 million. That's appropriate. It is his land, and he should be justly compensated. But it's obvious that the public investment is needed to protect these springs.

Scores of residents in Citrus County understand the importance of this too, and their reaction has been heart-warming, to say the least. Some have written personal checks for $1,000. A local physician, Dr. Paresh Desai, wrote one for $10,000. It truly has been a remarkable community effort.

Residents and environmental groups also have several politicians on their side, including U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson and U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, both of whom recently toured the springs. And U.S. Rep. Ginny Brown-Waite is another strong supporter, requesting $5.6 million in federal funds.

Crystal River officials, who have applied for a $6.3 million grant from the Florida Communities Trust, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, which has made the springs its top acquisition priority in the Southeast, also are enthusiastic. Other groups have pledged money, too, including $2 million from one foundation.

Springs protection is critical in Florida. These natural wonders are threatened by development, pollution and excessive pumping. Forever shielding Three Sisters would be another tremendous step forward.

Federal and state officials, including Gov. Charlie Crist, Nelson and U.S. Sen. Mel Martinez, need to do everything possible to make this dream purchase come true. Floridians deserve to have this wonderful resource preserved for their enjoyment and the enjoyment of future generations.

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