Grant could help protect Three Sisters Springs

Friday, September 5, 2008

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A state grant will help protect Three Sisters Springs from development.

CRYSTAL RIVER (Bay News 9) -- A state grant is helping to save one of Florida's last pristine springs from development.

Three Sisters Springs are a natural habitat for manatees in the winter. Many local businesses make a living from the tourists who come to visit its clear waters.

"Everyone enjoys it there, everybody likes to go there. All the companies take their customers there," said dive captain Traci Woods.

On Thursday, officials secured at least $6.3 million in grants from the state's Florida Communities Trust. The project was one of 18 to receive funding out of 90 throughout the state that applied.

The grant represents a major step towards buying the property from developer Hal Flowers. Currently, Flowers owns 56 acres of land surrounding Three Sisters Springs. He bought it with the intention of building homes on the land.

"When you see it, it appears to be an amenity," Flowers said.

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Over time, though, Flowers' vision changed.

"The longer you're involved in it, you realize it's more than an amenity, it's a natural treasure," he said.

It remains to be seen how much more will need to be secured before officials can buy the land from Flowers. Several appraisals need to be done to evaluate the worth of the land.

Flowers himself has yet to name a price, but he did purchase the land for almost $10.5 million.

The potential deal to buy the land brings up another question: would government control of the property change how people are allowed to enjoy it?

Crystal River Mayor Ron Kitchen doesn't think so.

"As far as I'm concerned, it should have no change on what's already in place other than the fact that this land will not be able to be developed. It's going to become a public access park," he said.

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As a journalist who lives and works in Citrus County, TV reporter Jonathan Petramala knows there are lots of great stories there. Some are serious, other simply interesting. Jonathan would love to hear story suggestions from you, so email him with your ideas.