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They would be far better off recruiting the real players in the
area to dive the system. People who live here and have an interest in
preserving and exploring a resource. People like Brett Hemphill, Alex
Warren, Jon Bojar, Steve Straatsma, Jeff Peterson and probably a dozen
others who have the time to dedicate to a real goal in that system and that
get into the water other than to teach a class. I keep hearing about
coalitions and guide systems and other bullshit when it comes to any number
of sites down here. Try getting into Diepolder if you are not paying for a
class or greasing the palm of a guide. The cold hard fact is that cave
diving is almost a complete illegal or commercial enterprise. Pretty soon
the only open dive sites will be in the Gulf. Anyone care to disagree with
me here?
-----Original Message-----
From: Bill Lester <caver@at*.ne*>
To: cavers@cavers.com <cavers@cavers.com>
Date: Tuesday, September 14, 1999 1:05 AM
Subject: Weeki Wachee Springs & Twin D's
>Hello everyone,
>
>This posting is in response to a posting by Michael Blitch. Mr. Blitch
>and I did have a conversation. Unfortunately, Mr. Blitch end up with a
>misunderstanding. We have talked and I believe I have done a better job
>of communicating the facts this time around. Mr. Blitch seems to be a
>nice guy who just misunderstood.
>
>The comment made to Mr. Blitch was:
>
>"We are interested in getting people like Larry Green and Jim King to
>work on the project."
>
>The misunderstanding is in the word "like", I do believe.
>
>For the record:
>
>"Neptune Divers of Weeki Wachee, Inc. has signed a contract with Weeki
>Wachee Springs, LLC. to provide "recreational" diving in the main head
>spring of the Weeki Wachee River. Due to liability concerns, the main
>cave at Weeki and Twin D's are closed to diving activities. Special
>research and mapping projects are being planned, but as of yet no
>project team members have been approached, consulted, or asked to
>conduct any type of project in either cave system. Quite frankly, the
>challenges of opening the spring to recreational diving and the tangle
>of negotiations between all the organizations are enough for the
>moment."
>
>After a few very short, and hair raising dives to the mouth of the Weeki
>system, I can assure everyone that unless the flow lessen dramatically,
>nobody will be able to get through the restriction between 150' and
>180'. The restriction is just to small to allow a diver and the water
>volume to exist in the same place at the same time. We're talking about
>170+ millions on gallons of water per day flowing through a crack 3 to 4
>feet wide and 8 to 12 feet long. Some very good people have tried before
>me, and a few more have investigated it at our request. So far, everyone
>agrees the the main Weeki cave can not be accessed safely at this point
>in time.
>
>As for Twin D's. I hope every will understand the necessity of closing
>this cave at this point in time. An associate, who I respect very much,
>told me "Twin D's scares me. The decompression in the solution tube is
>not something I want to do.". The fact is that this cave is dangerous,
>deep, and potentially deadly. Are there people who are qualified to dive
>this cave? Absolutely! Is this the time to dive it? Certainly not.
>
>I have heard many comments recently concerning the closing of the caves
>by Gilchrist County. There was even an accusation that the closings were
>"pay back" for the involvement of cavers in denying access to a landfill
>and a dairy farm. But I much prefer Wes Skiles comments in a response
>letter on the matter in the recent NACD Journal. Landowner relations
>must be improved if we (cavers) want to continue to explore new systems
>and continue to enjoy the systems we have access to now.
>
>In this spirit, I hope everyone will respect the closure of Twin D's at
>this time. We are trying very hard to provide a new and unique site to
>the diving world. As time progresses, and projects are planned, Twin D's
>has the potential to open for those qualified to conduct cave dives in
>this type of system.
>
>We invite all divers to come experience a relaxing day of diving. Please
>visit
>
> http://www.Neptune-Divers.com
>
>and select the Weeki site or the Neptune Divers of Weeki Wachee site to
>learn more about the recreational diving program soon to be offered at
>Weeki Wachee.
>
>Respectfully,
>--
>Bill Lester
>Neptune Divers of Largo, Inc.
>http://www.Neptune-Divers.com
>Bill@Ne*.co*
>757-585-1499
>
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