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Sarasota News Leader August 9 & 16, 2013 open soon. But Little Salt Spring is different. Its value isn't in the dollars it can bring in. It has so much value because it is a reflection of Florida's past and a cultural resource." A BOOST AND A BIG UNKNOWN Page 43 While Mote could end up operating both Warm Mineral Springs and Little Salt Spring, "Little Salt Spring (should it be acquired by the county) may be even more appropriate for Mote involvement," Reid pointed out in the email. Florida Aquarium of Tampa could also assist The county's plan to purchase Little Salt in operating Little Salt Spring. Spring got a boost last week when County Administrator Randall Reid told the county The biggest unknowns, however, are the accommissioners he had met with Mote Marine quisition expense and operating costs associLaboratory representatives about the possibil- ated with keeping Little Salt Spring open. ity of the research center and aquarium man- "I don't know if we have any knowledge of aging the spring if Sarasota County purchases a price," said County Commissioner Nora it using Environmentally Sensitive Lands Pro- Patterson. "That is going to be an issue, of tection Program funds. course." Reid wrote in a July 29 email to the county Patterson referenced the donation of the commissioners that Mote would be a good property to the university by the now defunct steward of the site. company General Development, which found- The 8,000-year-old green stone pendant was found by archeologist Steve Koski. Material used to make the pendant originated in an area at least 600 miles from the spring. Photo courtesy of Friends of Little Salt Spring