HomeMy WebLinkAbout1980 08 27 Letter Re: Spring Hammock
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COUNTY OIi1 SEMINOLE
ji'L 0 RID A
P~ANNING DIVISION
COURTHOUSE. N. PARK AVE.
SANFORD. F~ORIDA 32771
DEPT. OF COUNTY DEVE~OPMENT
PHONE: (305) 323.4330
August 27, 1980
Dear Concerned Citizen:
The Seminole County Board of County Commissioners has proposed that
the Florida Department of Natural Resources acquire the environmentally
sensitive area popularly referred to as Spring Hammock. Your help is
needed in convincing the State to protect this irreplaceable asset for
the citizens of Seminole County and Florida. Spring Hammock is located on
the western end of Lake Jessup and runs westerly across S.R. 419, u.S. 17-92
and C-427, just south of the Five-Points area. Enclosed is a small map
showing the area recommended for purchase. Please note that developed areas,
including those that appear to be in active agricultural production, have
been excluded from the proposal.
Numerous proposals have been made over the last twenty years to purchase
the area for a variety of reasons ranging from environmental values, to urban
growth shaping, to recreation, to aesthetics. The current proposal emphasizes
valued environmental functions including growth shaping; recreation would be
limited to low intensity activities such as hiking. Acquisition of fee simple
title at fair market value is the method to be used, if the State determines
that the proposal is sufficiently important according to their criteria.
Acquisition at fair market value of something less than fee simple, such as
development rights or a scenic easement, will be considered providing
preservation of the natural character of the area can be accomplished.
I am cautiously optimistic about prospects for the State selecting
Spring Hammock for purchase. Of the one-hundred-twenty (120) sites submitted
~tate-wide for acquisition, the Spring Hammock proposal was one of forty-two
(42) selected for more intensive review. Indications are that funds are
available for purchase of less than ten (10) sites. The areas recommended
for acquisition will be forwarded to the Governor and Cabinet in mid-September.
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Obviously the competition is stiff. A crucial consideration for the six (6)
state agencies making final recommendation for purchase of propo.sed sites is
community support. Contact from concerned local residents is likely to be
far more effective than reams of documentation or official communications
from elected officials. Enclosed is a list of representatives of the Depart-
ment of Natural Resources, Division of Forestry, Game and Fresh Water Fish
Commission, Division of Archives and Histbry and the Department of Community
Affairs. Please let these people know your feelings about the value of Spring
Hammock to the community. without your support the proposal has limited
chance of success. Not only would the region lose an important component
of its natural heritage but archaeological and historical as well.
Subsequent to the proposal first being submitted and after the list
was narrowed to forty-two (42), the Board of County Commissioners through
the cooperation of the Central Florida Anthropological Society engaged the
services of two archaeologists to seek evidence of early habitation of the
Hammock. With the assistance of a local resident significant finds were
made: an indian shell mound dating from at least 2000 B.C. to after 800 A.D.~
a very early (Suwannee) projectile point (arrowhead) dating from 8000-9000 B.C.~
and a historic dump, possibly a lumber camp, dating from the 1890's. The
archaeologists conclude that other sites may also exist in the Spring Hammock
area.
If you would like additional information and/or arrange to have a
presentation made to your community group contact me at 323-4330 ext. 181.
I encourage you to make every effort possible in supporting the protection of
Spring Hammock. Thank you.
WP/kjj
-Attachments
':
The following is a list of the Conservation and Recreation Lands
Selection Committee:
Name/Address
Phone Number
Jake Varn, Secretary
Department of Environmental Regulation
Twin Towers
2600 Blair Stone Road
Tallahassee, Florida 32301
(904) 488-4807
Elton Gissendanner, Executive Director
Department of Natural Resources
202 Blount St.
Crown Building
Tallahassee, Florida 32301
(904) 488-1555
Joan Heggen, Secretary
Department of Community Affairs
Howard Building
2571 Executive Center Circle, East
Tallahassee, Florida 32301
(904) 488-8466
John M. Bethea, Director
Division of Forestry
Department of Agriculture
Collins Building
Tallahassee, Florida 32301
(904) 488-4274
L. .Ross Morrell, Director
Division of Archives, History & Records
Department of State
R.A. Grey Building
Tallahassee, Florida 32301
(904) 488-1480
Colonel Robert M. Brantley, Executive Director
Game & Fresh Water Fish Commission
Farrish Bryant Building
620 South Meridian Street
~allahassee, Florida 32301
(904) 488-2975
kjj
8/28/80
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