- A major chapter in Florida’s efforts to protect an underwater cave system that connects to Wakulla Springs may be coming to a close.
- A new trade agreement between a statewide land trust and a Georgia oil company could save the cave from potential pollutants.
- The following transcript has been edited lightly for clarity.
BROADCAST TRANSCRIPT:
Hidden deep underneath Wakulla’s surface lies the largest underwater cave system in Florida, and in the United States. Wakulla Springs’ caves stretch beyond 45 miles with tunnels connecting to at least 30 different openings, one being Chip’s Hole.
In 1987, a group of U.S. divers explored the cave to see what was inside. They captured the footage all on camera, spotting freshwater life and swimming through deep dark tunnels.
"This isn't your normal recreational scuba diving," said Christopher Werner, the Science Director for the Woodville Karst Plain Project.
Before 1987, only a couple of teams had explored the Springs and its caves. But Werner explains to WFSU that no one has explored the entire Wakulla cave system. He points to the cave’s massive tunnels and the special equipment needed to survive the exploration.
“If sea level was lower than it is right now and people could visit this cave, it would be a national park," said Werner. "It's just that not many people can visit it because it's underwater."
Werner’s team began exploring Wakulla’s caves in the early 90s. They’re credited for making the discovery that revealed the connection between Chip’s Hole and Wakulla Springs. Their findings caused residents and state officials to want to protect the cave.
Renee Murray is with the group, Friends of Wakulla Springs.
“Wakulla Springs is a huge economic driver for this entire part of Florida," said Murray.
Murray since 2022, has urged the county to block Southwest Georgia Oil Company from building a gas station on their land that sits on top of Chip’s Hole Cave. She worries any spilled gas may contaminate the Spring and its caves.
Murray said people should think about the springs as more than just a body of water.
"It is a world-renowned spring and people come from all over the world to see it. That’s why people should care," she added.
GOOD NEWS FOR WAKULLA SPRINGS 👏
— Florida Springs Council (@flsprngscouncil) March 5, 2024
The House and Senate both agreed to fully fund the acquisition of the Chips Hole property, which is a major win for protecting Wakulla Springs!
Shoutout to the Downriver Project & Wakulla Springs Alliance! pic.twitter.com/KFedDJiYG1
Florida lawmakers stepped in last year, sending $3 million to Conservation Florida for them to buy land in Wakulla County to swap with the Georgia oil company.
Traci Deen is the CEO of Conservation Florida. She shared with WFSU on Thursday that the group has spoken with Southwest Georgia and is prepared to move forward with the trade.
“We’ve negotiated with Southwest Georgia Oil. They have been very willing participants in all these conversations," said Deen.
Deen says Conservation Florida will trade seven of the 225 acres it acquired from St. Joe Timberland Company last December. The rest of the space will be protected and the proposed location for Wakulla’s gas station will be relocated across Bloxham Cutoff Road, property away from Chip’s Hole cave.
“We are all hoping to see chips hole and this gas station issue put to rest in 2025 and add some really good conservation to the region, all while providing a gas station for a growing population.”
Conservation Florida expects to have the trade completed by December 2025.
