Issue link: https://newsleader.uberflip.com/i/203490
Sarasota News Leader November 1, 2013 Page 27 Robinson said if the county is able to acquire If the county does purchase the spring, The the spring, that could be a "legacy moment." Florida Aquarium would be an ideal partner to help the county run research activities at If an agreement is reached, the county could the spring, Reid indicated. work with other organizations to manage the spring and bring to it an educational mission. Although Sarasota County does not have the Patterson said she wanted to see whether expertise or means to run an underwater Mote Marine Laboratory was still interested archeological program, "Florida Aquarium in helping the county manage the property, does," he pointed out. "They have been doing as former County Administrator Reid indi- underwater archaeology at a shipwreck off cated to the commission earlier this year. The Tampa," Reid said. Florida Aquarium has also voiced an interest Additionally, the county's purchase of the in helping the county run the site. spring appears to be the only option for savThe plan has been to try to operate Little Salt Spring — unlike Warm Mineral Springs, which opened in the 1960s as a health spa — as a protected, limited-access archaeological and ecological preserve. SUPPORT FOR THE SPRING ing it, Reid added. "From my discussion with local universities, there are no buyers there. Last spring, I explored the possibilities, and from those discussions I don't think any university in the area has the faculty and infrastructure or the resources to do it," Reid said. In his email to the county commissioners this week, Lawry Reid, president of Friends of Rick Jameson, a member of Friends of Little Little Salt Spring, advocated for the county Salt Spring, also wrote an email to the county purchasing the spring and surrounding land. commissioners this week. "This place has not been disturbed ever, Jameson noted that artifacts dated back about except for a few trailers and the driveway in," 12,500 years have been found in the spring, Reid told the News Leader. and some finds may be integral to answering H e s u g g e s t s u s i n g f u n d s f r o m t h e questions about the significant large mammal Environmentally Sensitive Lands Protection extinction event that occurred roughly 10,000 Program to purchase the site. "There is a sig- years ago. nificant amount of money left there — not that "Although significant preservation of [enviSarasota County should pay a lot of money ronmentally sensitive] lands has occurred for the spring." around the County," he wrote, "frankly, very The county has the expertise to respond little of this preservation has occurred within quickly to local issues and to maintain the the City of North Port." Jameson continued, property, he pointed out. "Sarasota County "And here we have one of the most unique has shown itself to be a responsible, trust- properties in the nation having a mixed worthy sensitive land homeowner," Reid said. response from our County Commission." %