Should Florida’s Ocala National Forest become a national park?
A Florida congressman has sponsored a bill that requires a study of converting Ocala National Forest into a national park to protect nearby springs.
When Florida Congressman Randy Fine offered a bill this summer to study transforming Ocala National Forest into Florida Springs National Park, one of the benefits he cited was an economic boom that would result from increased tourism.
While Fine has said he considers the national park designation to be a new layer of protection, particularly for the aquifers and springs, some nature-loving Floridians view the potential for increased tourism as a red flag.
Forest-area resident Bobbie Jo Dameron responded with a change.org petition titled “Protect the Ocala National Forest: Oppose H.R. 4656 and Stop Mass Tourism Development.” As of Sept. 11, more than 6,500 people had signed.
“(The bill) could open the door to unsustainable tourism and commercialization in the Ocala National Forest,” the petition states. “While we value public access to natural spaces, this bill threatens the long-term health of one of Florida’s most ecologically sensitive regions.”
Dameron said in a text message to The News-Journal that she has lived on a property that borders the forest since 1996 and enjoys hunting and fishing in the area.
“We don’t have any hotels out here, limited gas stations, and just a handful of restaurants,” Dameron wrote. “Mass development would have to take place, and as a resident in the forest, it would be a nightmare.”
Fine: Study of Florida Springs National Park would consider all opinions
The Ocala National Forest has some measures of federal protection. Fine and other advocates say that protection would be heightened by making it part of the National Park System.
“I am excited to see so much interest in the idea of creating Florida Springs National Park,” Fine said through a Sept. 11 text message from his spokesman. “Whether all, part or none of Ocala National Forest would be part of it is exactly one of the issues my legislation would study.”
Fine said he looks forward to working with constituents and the National Park Service to determine what’s best for the springs.
“I’m not waving a magic wand here and creating a national park,” Fine said. “If passed, the concerns and input of everyone will go into the final study to figure out the right way to do this. We’re still several steps away from creating a national park, and we aren’t doing that without your input.”
Petition signer: ‘Leave the Ocala National Forest alone’
But the petition signers want no part of a national park in a mostly rural region stretching from Putnam to Marion to Lake counties, with areas of Volusia, Lake and Flagler counties part of the proposed study, as well.
One signer, going only by the name “T,” offered skepticism that Fine’s proposal will help the forest.
“Putting any land or water in the hands of the feds right now is a recipe for disaster,” T wrote. “Pay attention to what’s going on across the nation. National parks are being defunded, destaffed, trashed, vandalized and exploited for mining and timber. Our fragile springs do not need additional pressure!”
How best to protect Florida water?
However, Fine’s idea has its supporters, too.
Volusia County Chairman Jeff Brower joined Fine at a press conference at Juniper Springs Recreation Area in the forest on Aug. 26, voicing support.
“The most important thing that we can do is change our development pattern and practices while protecting the springs from further damage, exactly what Congressman Fine is proposing,” Brower said. “I didn’t say stop all development, but the fact is, we cannot sustain the pace that Florida is encouraging in growth.”
And R. Bruce Anderson, associate professor of political science at Florida Southern College in Lakeland, wrote an op-ed in favor.
Anderson said he opposes Fine’s ideas most of the time but believes a national park designation will afford greater protection for the land and water.
“Sometimes a good idea is just a danged good idea,” Anderson said. “Ecologically, for Florida, this is an excellent start. I’m for it.”
