Former DEP Secretary: A gas station near Wakulla Springs has never been a good idea

Almost 20 years ago, I had the honor of serving as Florida’s Secretary of the Department of Environmental Protection. When Gov. Jeb Bush appointed me, I knew that protecting our environment was a calling and I treasured the opportunity to serve.

There are so many memories of environmental successes by Florida’s leaders. Some, like the acquisition and protection of the lands surrounding and overtopping Wakulla Springs (the world’s largest deepest freshwater spring and its underground network of cave systems) stand out.

One success has been on my mind recently – the state of Florida’s fight against a Wakulla County landowner’s efforts to build a gas station and RV park across the street from the main Wakulla Spring area on Bloxham Cutoff. Sound familiar? In 1995, the Wakulla County Commissioners agreed to rezone part of the land to commercial use. After four years of court hearings, a reverse condemnation suit against the state was settled resulting in the landowner netting $400,000 on his $26,000 investment.

Regardless of that individual profiting from the Wakulla County Commissioners ill-advised rezoning, the state scored another victory, buying and protecting 23 more acres at Wakulla Springs State Park. Later, extensive research revealed environmentally sensitive underground rivers feeding the main spring vent. We now have data on much of this network and its importance to this outstanding water body.

That warm memory of the Florida Cabinet’s efforts at protecting this gem is difficult to square with the cold reality of what is happening right now in the backrooms of Wakulla County government.

A majority of Wakulla Commissioners appear hellbent on allowing a gas station to be built over a vital, precious and fragile underwater cave system that feeds Wakulla Springs.

To be honest, I just don’t get it.

Why is this being ramrodded through, ignoring the clear will of Wakulla residents and Friends of Wakulla Springs, who showed up by the dozens to oppose the deal at the last commission meeting?

I’m particularly alarmed by the Wakulla County administrator blatantly misrepresenting DEP’s position to the commissioners. He told them that DEP “wouldn’t approve” the higher regulations that so many residents wanted. Comprehensive planning laws give the commission the power to protect important natural resources.

The administrator confused regulatory laws with planning laws. When a reporter contacted DEP, they said the exact opposite was true. Here’s the full quote: “The authority to enact a local ordinance — such as the proposed Wakulla Springs Water Quality Protection Regulation — rests solely with the county.”

The county has the authority to adopt more protective measures for natural resources and the state doesn’t have to approve it, just allow it to be adopted.

Our state and local leaders should not put the community through this gas station charade once again. Subjecting Wakulla Springs to environmental contamination was not a good idea in 1995 and is not a good idea today.

When local government moves this fast, it’s usually for one reason – they don’t want the public to be fully aware of what is happening.

I salute the residents and advocacy groups mobilizing to oppose this effort. There is simply no way a gas station – a gas station – should be located over this cave and threaten the Springs that have been such a cherished memory for so many Floridians and at least one former DEP director for so many years.

With passion, I say: Please stop this gas station rezoning and protect Wakulla Springs.

Colleen Castille served as Secretary of the Department of Community Affairs and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection consecutively from 2003 to 2007, after being appointed to both agencies by Gov. Jeb Bush. She is currently a real estate broker in Tallahassee.

(Editor’s note: The Wakulla County Commission will address the Wakulla Springs item at its meeting at 5 p.m. Monday, Aug. 7, in the Wakulla County Commission Chambers, 29 Arran Road, Crawfordville.)

JOIN THE CONVERSATION

Send letters to the editor (up to 200 words) or Your Turn columns (about 500 words) [email protected]. Please include your address for verification purposes only, and if you send a Your Turn, also include a photo and 1-2 line bio of yourself. You can also submit anonymous Zing!s at Tallahassee.com/Zing. Submissions are published on a space-available basis. All submissions may be edited for content, clarity and length, and may also be published by any part of the USA TODAY NETWORK.