Forever Florida Submission to Preserve the Rainbow River Open

Forever Florida Submission to Preserve the Rainbow River Open Space Corridor
Rainbow Springs and the Rainbow River,
located in Dunnellon Florida, are natural jewels
of Central Florida’s Springs District. The source
of the river’s water is a group of springs that
pour 490 million gallons of clear pure water a
day in the river channel. The clarity and
unpolluted nature of the water have allowed
numerous species to inhabit and flourish in this
State designated Aquatic Preserve.
Rainbow Springs is a 1st magnitude spring, the
third largest in the state. The clarity of the water
at the headwaters is among the highest in the
United States.
Figure 1 Headsprings at Rainbow Springs State Park
The Rainbow River has been designated as an Aquatic Preserve with a resident Aquatic Preserve
Manager, a Florida Outstanding Water and a SWIM Plan River by the State of Florida. It also
has been designated a Natural Landmark by the US Department of the Interior.
Since the 1980’s Florida has acquired a series of land parcels at the headwaters and along the
east side of the river. The northern portion is managed as the Rainbow Springs State Park and the
southerly parcels are managed by the Division of Florida Greenways. Much of the west side of
the river has residential development. There are several locations where the public has access to
the river. Kayaking, canoeing and floating down the river on tubes in quite popular. On the
recent Memorial Day weekend it was estimated that 5000 people enjoyed the river. At this time
approximately 50 percent of the river is developed and 50 per cent is both publicly owned and
privately owned open space. A map showing land use is given at the back of this section.
Marion County and the Dunnellon area have seen explosive growth in both commercial and
residential development over the last few years. Large tracts of 500 acre, 1000 acres and larger
are being converted from agricultural use to residential land use, many with golf courses. This
has put tremendous pressure on water resources in the area and especially on the pristine springs.
Figure 2 Rainbow River Overlook
Developers are eyeing the remaining waterfront
parcels on the Rainbow River for medium density
development projects. We believe that this will
have a very detrimental impact on the springs and
the Aquatic Preserve. We are therefore proposing
to the Directors of the Florida Forever program
that a land acquisition program be started for
critical parcels of land along the Rainbow River
corridor to preserve the water quality and natural
habitat of this extraordinary water body.
Unlike many submissions to the Florida Forever
program, which target a particular parcel of land,
our goal is to preserve the open land on the river corridor. This will protect the springs and rivers
water quality and also preserve the habitat that supports a vast array of birds, turtles, amphibians
and reptiles including endangered or “listed” species. To accomplish this, it is necessary to
consider preserving a group of land parcels.
Figure 4 shows a map of the Rainbow River with outlines of the adjacent land parcels. (The base
data is from the Marion County Property Appraisers web site.) The parcels highlighted in light
green are currently Florida State properties. The properties highlighted in light yellow are those
that are being proposed for the Florida Forever program. The red parcels were added to the
project in the April 2007 amendment.
These candidate parcels have been divided into seven groups. These groups have two things in
common. First, acquisition of each group and maintaining the land as open space would have a
significant positive affect on preserving the water quality and habitat of the Rainbow River
Aquatic Preserve. Second, most of the parcels under consideration, border on existing Florida
State land.
To add some perspective, a table is included that shows acreage, ownership and footage of riverfront. This data is from the Marion County Property Appraiser database and is subject to review
during the Florida Forever evaluation. An aerial map with land use highlights and a topographic
map of the river area are also attached for perspective.
Each group of property has its own personality. Formal Florida Forever submissions were
attached to this Executive Summary for each group with the application. A few highlights will
be noted. The Indian Creek group includes four significant springs that have been mapped by
the Aquatic Preserve and have been included in the total outflow of Rainbow Springs and the
Rainbow River. Limpkin, Little Blue Herons, Tri-colored Herons, Ibis, Wood storks and Snowy
Egrets are “listed” species that feed in the marshes of the Rainbow River. Photos of these birds
are included in the attachments.
The Rainbow Springs State Park and its campground area along with KP Hole County Park,
provide public access to the Rainbow River for low impact use. Citizens of all economic means
can enjoy a quiet trip on the river to observe the wonders of nature.
Preserving the Rainbow River Corridor should be a high priority of the Florida Forever Program
Figure 3 People enjoy floating on inner tubes on a quiet day on the Rainbow River
Figure 4 Major land parcels along the Rainbow River Corridor
Major Parcels Bordering or Near Rainbow River Dunnellon Florida
Parcel Number
Headwater Group
Acres
Riverfront Feet
Owner
Address
2
33169-000-00
27
0
SMITH, SANDRA ELLEN, ET AL
2A
33909-016-00
40
0
SMITH, SANDRA ELLEN, ET AL
C/O RENEE STEPHENS, 19325 W HWY 40, DUNNELLON FL
34432
C/O RENEE STEPHENS, 19325 W HWY 40, DUNNELLON FL
34433
2B
33909-014-00
55
0
ALEXANDER ADDIE R FOLKS
1908 NE 7TH PL, OCALA FL 34470
2C
3
34552-000-00
33170-000-00
190
40
0
0
FOLKS, RONALD H
225 SW MADISON CIR N, SAINT PETERSBURG FL 33703
ALEXANDER ADDIE R FOLKS
4
33171-000-00
SMITH, SANDRA ELLEN ET AL
1908 NE 7TH PL, OCALA FL 34470
C/O RENEE STEPHENS, 19325 W HWY 40, DUNNELLON
FL 34432
Indian Creek Group
7
34575-002-00
8
34572-002-00
11
12
13
34581-001-00
34575-002-01
34575-002-02
18
0
370
0
69.64
108.39
0
170
5.45
1.49
7.95
192.92
268
119
707
1264
63
1849
37.15
16.72
13.63
0
0
1646
DULEY, JOHN E
8921 SW 190TH AVENUE RD, DUNNELLON FL 34432
PRIEST, JOE F
SMITH MARY MANN & MARTHA MANN
BUTTNER
1220 SE 12TH CT, OCALA FL 34471
2773 SEABREEZE DR S, GULFPORT FL 33707
PRIEST, SARA KAY
3920 SE 15TH ST, OCALA FL
DULEY JOHN E
8921 SW 190TH AVENUE RD, DUNNELLON FL 34432
MEREDITH, JUANITA S & MEREDITH,
CARROL S
PO BOX 712, DUNNELLON FL 34430
GREENBERG, BERNARD Z
PO BOX 248, INDIAN ROCKS BEACH FL 33785
GREENBERG, BERNARD Z
PO BOX 248, INDIAN ROCKS BEACH FL 33785
GREENBERG BERNARD Z
PO BOX 248, INDIAN ROCKS BEACH FL 33785
Meredith Property
20
34702-000-00
Greenberg Group
39
33310-002-00
39A
33310-004-00
41
33235-000-00
43
33235-000-00
44
33235-000-01
21.22
88.72
Rainbow River Ranch Group
47
33310-000-00
211.97
48
33310-000-05
8.61
49
33310-000-01
25.18
49A
33310-000-03
1.43
247.19
Blue Run of Dunnellon Property
(Split Parcel)
1652
3298
GREENBERG BERNARD Z
PO BOX 248, INDIAN ROCKS BEACH FL 33785
3250
725
1415
0
5390
RAINBOW RIVER RANCH LLC
104 W SUPERIOR ST, DULUTH MN 55802
RAINBOW RIVER RANCH LLC
105 W SUPERIOR ST, DULUTH MN 55802
RAINBOW RIVER RANCH LLC
106 W SUPERIOR ST, DULUTH MN 55802
RAINBOW RIVER RANCH LLC
107 W SUPERIOR ST, DULUTH MN 55802
59
3380-1528-00
24
Rainbow River Club Property
52
3380-0894-00
47.46
Totals
Addendum 4-10-07
Parcel Number
24
34574-000-00
1322.00
BLUE RUN OF DUNNELLON LLC
1040 NE 31ST TER, OCALA FL 34470
2812.98
NATURE PRESERVES OF AMERICA
PO BOX 1778, DUNNELLON FL 34430
1033.29
15,935.98
(From Property Appraiser Tax Card)
Acres
2.29
Riverfront Feet
0
Owner
ROBERTS, KENNETH E
8909 SW 190TH AVENUE RD
SECRET PROMISE LTD
1 BEACH DRIVE SE STE 302E, SAINT PETERSBURG FL,
33701
MEREDITH, JUANITA S & MEREDITH,
CARROL S
PO BOX 712, DUNNELLON FL 34430
28
34793-005-00
5 est.
of 485.68
0
A120
34702-000-00
37
334
Address
(Acquisition of complete 63 acres)
A121
34725-000-00
5.33
321
A122
Altkey 1200865
Citrus County
23 est.
2397
15,935.98
Grand Total
1105.91
Acres
18,987.98
Feet
MEREDITH, JAMES REID & DAWN E
PO BOX 1635, DUNNELLON FL 34430
Lowry, James R II
12319 N Osborne Ave, Dunnellon FL, 34434
River Frontage from first group
Rainbow River Corridor Current Land Use
Topographical Map of the Rainbow River Area (Source USGS)
------------------------------The preceding pages are a portion of the Executive Summary of the Rainbow River Corridor Project
application. This application was submitted in October of 2006 to the Florida Department of
Environmental Protection, Division of State Lands, for their Florida Forever Program. The project
qualification process is rigorous. Rainbow River Conservation Inc. (RRC) hopes that this project will
be placed on a preferential list of lands targeted for acquisition by February of 2007.
The Acquisition and Restoration Council (ARC), a broad multi-agency council with participation from
over 10 state agencies, manages the Florida Forever Program. Criteria for selection include lands that
are environmentally sensitive and that impact major water systems and springs. Impact on forest
systems and recreation potential are also considered. Funds are limited and numerous candidate
projects from all counties in the state compete for these resources. Successful acquisition is
consummated between willing buyers and sellers and eminent domain is never a part of this process.
Rainbow River Conservation Inc. is a 501.c3 corporation whose mission is to protect and maintain the
quality of the water and habitat of the Rainbow River for current and future generations. RRC
activities include public advocacy for the river, monitoring water levels and water conditions,
managing the annual river cleanup and installing and maintaining 45 Wood Duck boxes along the
river. RRC has pursued this mission since the 1960’s and played a key role in advocating for the
acquisition of lands to start and expand the Rainbow Springs State Park.
The Rainbow River Conservation address is PO Box 729, Dunnellon, FL 34430 and the officers are:
Burt Eno President
Jerry Rogers Vice President
Gretchen Martin Treasurer
Mary Ann Ermatinger Secretary
The Rainbow River is a major natural asset of Marion County, Central Florida and the United States.
Public access is available from Rainbow Springs State Park, the State Park Campgrounds, KP Hole
County Park and from the Tuber Exit at County Route 484. There are also three community parks that
yield access for launching kayaks and canoes. All who visit this river come away with an appreciation
of its beauty and its extraordinary range of birds, turtles, fish, and otters. The river must be preserved
in its current form to maintain its beauty, water quality and broad range of species.