\ I . ' l'age4A TELEGRAPH March 26.1981 Leo r {ia-Pacifis Tdif.f/scip;: on on Santa Fe Swamp for Peat (Fuel) - Threatened sale of Hudson & grin I lot of money on it."He disagrees with use this, will it have any detrimental 5,316 acres of the : Pulp Paper Company, a was an additional 90 days to I " huge Santa Fe Swamp north of little subsidiary of Georgia-Pacific Corporation make its fil81.S! on.Primaty Houseal that the swamp is an Impor- affect on surrounding areas. Santa f'e Lake has sparked renewed obtained a 110-day: option purpose; 'for 80.1f' FtQetlt8 tant recharge area stating that environmental The Georgia-Pacific official says effort for its purchase under theslate's dated Nov. 26, 1980 to purchase.the buying the 9 consultants have determined the muck is 90 percent water swamp , tract for $456 total wetlands, according to Bill McVicker, that the swamp is not a water environmentally endangered an acre, a of woodlands but this can be reduced to 30 to 50 per lands program for which Governor $2,424,006. On March 10 the company manager for GeorgiaPacific's ARKR.a recharge area since the muck is so cent water after being squeezed and lob Graham is seeking $300 million filed its intent, in the Bradford County Southern Division in thick and impermeable. He also dried. "The use of peat for fuel . over the next ten years. courthouse, to exercise the option and Augusta Ga., is to harvest peat in the declares that only a small northern to be environmentally and appears 'swamp for use as fuel for power portion of the swamp serves as a " generation. A secondary purpose ss+uaot1AIMLSY1Llt watershed for the Santa Fe River, economically feasible. according to ., would be harvesting usable timber in A ,and only a small part of the southern McVicker, who says this fuel burns 'the swamp which has long been considered part serves as a watershed to Santa cleaner than coal. 'There has been a impenetrable and too inac- ; was Fe Lake. lot of interest from the utility people," ebiTORiA1S 1.cessible for a profitable Umber opera- he added, "but most of them back J 1 l tion. n an 'However, we're going to make away for the simple reason you can't " sure we pass all the environmental tie up an adequate supply. ,. Georgia-Pacific is now operating a impact requirements with the state in --U ....m I.,. plywood mill in the Hawthorne area order to use the property" McVicker An inventory by the North Central I which may be a factor in its interestin says. "Before we get ourselves involved Regional Planning Council in 1973 the swamp. we want to make sure we described the swamp as "good The Hospital Decisionnot Efforts to persuade the state to pur- have the answers to these questions." wildlife and waterfowl habitat" and chase the swamp date back to 1974 this agency also recommended its when it could have been bought for "The land would remain as a purchase by the state as an important $250( an acre, about half the present wetland" McVicker added. "I can wetlands and recharge area. A f\ major change in the only in actual miles and price. Although recognized as an im- assure you that we have really been similar resolution was adopted by the management and operation of travel time-an important fac- portant recharge area for the Florida studying it. Our concern is that if we Bradford County Commission in 1977.Don't . a vital facility -- one that is tor, of course--but also the em- Aquifer and the headwaters of the end of LittTe Santa Fe Lake. "This lose to the hearts and significant Santa Fe River, a tributary to the " pathy that exists with our would ruin our lakes, Hill declares. Suwannee River, the was in the lives of the citizensof swamp neighbor to the south through given a low priority on the state's endangered Bradford County was close associations with its lands list because it was not Strong support for state purchase of made Monday night. The community college, university believed to be endangered by develop the swamp of the was Suwannee also voiced River by Water directors - Bradford County Hospital and cultural ment or other commercial exploi- opportunities, Management District at their tation at that time. Board of Trustees voted to as well as knowledge of the meeting in Live Oak last Thursday. award management of the outstanding backgrounds and Since that time, due to the shortageof thirty-year-old facility to a activities of the persons now funds and scandals due to mis- Kirk Webster,district's directorof r't tc'J dose and trusted neighbor management in the endangered lands resources and planning says that serving on the AGH board of program, little effort has been madeto opening up the swamp woulpro- Alachua General Hospital of trustees. get state action in acquiring the bably have a direct impact on the lake ' Gainesville.As Another factorassumingthere tract. and the river.In ! may be expected in the is a need for a new and Interest has zoomed recently a recent letter in support of the case of any major change af- larger hospital in Bradford however, due to rumors and final Lake Dwellers efforts Gene Houseal, fv , fecting the lives and employ-- County--was the precisenessof confirmation of an impending sale. water resource planner with the , ment of a considerable the AGH plan for achievingsuch Property owners on Santa Fe Lake, "Water Management District, said, .. feel about the ' ' .we strongly number of people, some a goal. This would entail troubled by another threat to their en- ecological very and environmental (qualms and some concerns the backing of Alachua vironment are arming themselveswith significance of the Santa Fe Swamp were expressed by membersof General's A-rated credit for petitions and force political pressurein which is important to the water /r./ k : to state an attempt action to the hospital staff in the area the issuance of tax free bondsto obtain the land or protect it from com- resources of the area for a number of of benefits, and personnel build the multi-million mercial exploitation by Georgia- reasons. jiolicies which have been im- dollar facility with no relianceon Pacific or any other purchaser. "Because there are no Interior lived during the past three future tax levies by Brad- Harold Hill, leader of the Santa Fe roads or easy ,access, the swamp ' ears of management by ford County. The Methodist Lake Dwellers Association which has prevails as pristine wetlands in an " Methodist Foundation, Inc., of plan was less well defined successfully fought another environ- area of encroaching development.The :2 :: Jacksonville. mentioning possible gift of a mental threat from a proposed natural storage area of the the west side of Santa development on These resolved site for the proposed new swamp can help accommodate flood- concerns were Fe Pass, says the company could not with the assurance of hospital, and also public harvest the peat without also remov- waters and serves as a recharge area. _ Alachua General spokesmenthat subscriptions (donations) for ing the trees. "They have to clear all In addition, the swamp has a strong all such benefits would financing some part of the vegetation,and that would mean total impact on the water quality of the adjoining - construction. destruction of the swamp. This is bodies of water. For these iiiniiiiue uninterrupted and worse than just harvesting the reasons, along with other related undiminished. Meetings are "I think we can get a new timber. Once they dig out the peat, facts, the District has r being held with the staff this hospital much quicker if we go i you'll just" have a barren, wasted conclusion that the Santa reached Fe Swamp the _ mudhole, Hill declared.Hill . \.eek' wherein AGII management with Alachua General I," one is a valuable ecological resource will give detailed trustee.commented in the pre- and his group are also opposedto Houseal wrote I assurances and reply to any vote discussion. '1 1I any draining of the swamp in orderto concerns expressed by i I obtain access to the trees because, McVicker says his company wantsto members of the BC1I staff. Another appealing gestureof I they believe, this would necessitate get the environmental issue of us- Laugh It. Gets 90. LlP. . , good faith was the offer of ::onstruetmR\ ..a/dike across the north ing the land "aired before we spend a Any concern that might Alachua General's board to mwujiuJim w:>)on to i :i. ." . ' on,!I. 111: J'1I' 7115Y'1&j.1.i ,, Diane Weakottjs hive been! held trustees of UuiI.Ied.with her new.Microcar that gets 00 miles' per by lend the Bradford facility ,.< :..II', x gallon and runs about 30 miles per hour as she scoots about Starke. !tin hospital or the public $150,000 for immediate capital Mrs. Westcott can get a full load of groceries or her three kids inside the about "loss of local control" of expenditures, including roof County Agents cellophane wrapped 3-wheeled mo-ped.( It operates Just like a moped you the hospital were also J laid to and air conditioning equip- By pedal it to start the engine. ivst( at Monday's workshop by ment. The bike: can be ridden sans cover, but Mrs. Westcott, a horticulture the explanation of AGH of- Notebook Bobby teacher at the vo-tech center, says it felt pretty good on cool mornings this week to have the top on. tiouls of the new corporate Although the BCII board Taylor The two-cylinder engine holds two gallons of gas with the oil mixed in. structure which I\il1leave the had n originally planned to '.- : s The car was bought from Mo-Ped City in Gainesville for $2,000. Mrs. 111\!< al board autonomous in the awara me management con- Westcott first tried out a $400 bicycle which had a platform she could have' upwation of Bradford County tract on April 30, by mutual The next two to three weeks will be like nematodes insects, overwatering put her small children on but it was too hard to pedal with all the weight in agreement it was decided busy times for-manyfolks who will disease, or physical injury to the Hospital.While that, in the interest of a have spring crop*"and gardens. Last roots during cultivation. that the minute soil preparations should be front.FORESTRY admitting smooth transition it would be and seed should be for over ready Much of this problem can be avoid. hospital has made significant beneficial I both to Alachua planting. ,. ed by using the right amount of the improvements, both in equipment General and to Methodist to n"5:: .r' right kind of fertilizer; and using one a ',Mark Fries t as well as employee make the final decision Mon- Don't forget that seed '(or plants for of the acceptable techniques for ap- I IN BRADFORD COUNTY"ary/ L:.,'/': ; brnehts since entering into a day night. transplanting) are the most impor- plication. One technique is to broad- 11 \ J8.F \fn\ management contract with tant consid rations' when' growing a cast the fertilizer over the entire " With the crucial decision crop. All thWrgowrsoil preparation, garden area and work it into the soil :Methodist three years ago. behind them the trustees can fertilizer irrigation or;'other produCtion by spading, chopping, disking, rakingor As Florida's flowering n JfU' 'trees other considerations\ apparently practic# ?kiu&j>ot maka-up for a rototilling. This method, while effective shrubs burst into and Other plants which should! not betaken ( influenced the now turn their attention to the poor quality seed, or a seed that does is somewhat wasteful since many a homeowner spring,! blpssoms, are those which are protected l ustees in deciding to cast real objective that is the not have th(tinheteht> ,ability to pro some fertilizer ends up out of the root transplant some of theseb4uties:is )tempted l to by Florida law because they arejrare into their lot with AGH. Among number one concern-- duce. Makmslifg! that you plant the zone of the plants. his own yard. >t *- -" or endangered. The penalty for best seed orplant that is available to removing or transporting of tHese providing expanded top-flight any these were: hospital facilities to, meet the you. Another technique is to broadcastthe This is a'_way to li9'ipijy 1 he :Without/ ,specific written permissioncan Proximity A feeling of fertilizer; in a swath about 2 feet beauty and value of homes but be a fine or jail term. 'q'a present and projected growthof Good seed may mean the difference wide down each row center and then gardeners should take some-precautions I ',1 closeness with Gainesville, our service area. between success and failure in your working it into the soil.A third techni- before digging them out 6f the garden. Buy good seed from a reliable que is to place the fertilizer in bandsor woods' Law Enforcement dealer. For some crops, seed may be furrows located on either side of i ,.. , saved from one's own garden, but for the seed furrow. Getting; the owners'ermiasjon i I Fire! Fire! many other vegetables saving seed is should be the first step before collecting Consolidation impractical. Perhaps the best technique is the trees and shrubs. Manjvlan- ' combination method where about downers would be willing hare Is The Temporary Council, held at the board's first Mon- Plant varieties of vegetables which one-half the fertilizer is broadcastedover their wild plants with others''to.c and$ will Rotary TopicTax of day in have been tested and found to be the entire area before planting grant permission. But it is important i imposed representatives meeting May adapted to- your.area..,Vegetables and the other half is banded to the to give them the opportunity to tell savings by the partial con- .it all fire departments in the Many questions remain to resistant to pests' and tolerant of sides at planting time. As the garden you what and where you may collect. solidation of city and county law en- (county that will be affected by be answered in the intervening adverse weather conditions are much grows, additional fertilizer; may be Taking plants from someone's property forcement agencies were outlined by !the proposed fire tax district, easier to grow successfully than those needed. Such applications are called without permission might land St. Augustine city manager P.E.. has prepared a five-year weeks--questions such as that are not.: sidedressings since the fertilizer'Is .you a stiff fine. Kinsey at the Starke Rotary Club. planf how the money will be placed to the side of the plants,and at March 18. > proposed needs, totaling allocated and disbursed to pay Of course, it is a privilege enjoyedby the edge of the root zone. At times it may be difficult to locate The speaker defined double taxa- 4600.000( for the five year for the needs of the individual gardeners to try varieties which the landowner but remember that all tion as what happens when two period, requiring an expenditure have proven themselves elsewhere land is owned by someone. Nearby separate governments levy taxes on departments what kind of and''which may do well in their residents businesses or local tax of- the same property to the same of $120,000 in district people contracts will be negotiatedwith gardens. However, many gardeners .I 1 I Servicemen I I fices can help provide information to pay for the same services.The "big ;ax funds per year. the incorporated cities in ar..cheating themselves of the best about who owns the land in question. bucks" in double taxation occur in the county (excluding Starke) possible results by continuing to grow Large tracts of land two areas law enforcement and often owned are Sgt. Daniel inferior varieties without ever testing P.Rund road and bridge The first year's equipment whose residents did not voteon suggested varieties. by absentee owners,business or local, St. funding.Kinsey said. budget includes the purchaseof the special fire tax district Air Force Staff state or federal governments. Once it and Augustine is now considering the Sgt.Daniel P. Rund pros cons of consolidating its law is determined eight fully equipped fire ballot and therefore will not One of the most common problems ton of retired Air Force Senior call who the owner is, a enforcement services and the city trucks at a total of $390,000 to be taxed for same, but will we.:have is improper fertilization, or Master Sgt. and Mrs. Elmer Rund of phone required permission.or letter may provide the manager said the outcome is still in be paid for by an allocation of have to be included in fire fertilizer burn in many of our home Keystone Heights, has arrived for du doubt. He estimated that about four protection gardens. This injury usually results in at mills in ty Buckley Air National Guard city taxes would be saved $65,000 per year for six years. plans, and other equally browning and die-back of the ends ,Base, Colo. Division of Forestry Director John the proposed consolidation. by This and other proposed expenditures important matters. and margins of leaves. Severe burn Bethea says that people sometimes Kinsey said that the sheriff of each would come from results in death of the plants. Of Rund, an air traffic: controller, was assume that because state and Florida county is responsible for en- the $120,000 per year expectedto The movement to have an course there are other things that previously assigned at Elmendorf. Air federal property is bought and main- forcing state laws "on inch of tained with every tax dollars outside can,4iso cause leaf-margin Force Base, Alaska. taxpayersmay be received from the one- impartial agency browning use it as they see fit. property in the county including mill tax levied'in the draw up a countywide fire n municipalities. Therefore, the plan specialfire being advocated in St. protection plan was apparently "This simply is not the "' he Augustine proposes case, tax district in the unincorporated to reduce the size of the police I abandoned because of the : said. "Legally there is no difference department of by areas the county, limiting its duties to estimated $8,000 cost-but this ; ,. .. MIMSM in taking a tree or shrub from a state- the enforcement of which favored in straw city ordinances was a 5i/oao, owned forest and removing one from cob cost is negligible when only turning over enforcement of com- . ballot last fall. in front of the State with the Capitol.State and state statutes within the city to the pared expenditure of mi&gr Federal land is provided for air 4 the sheriffs office. It is considered that $600,000 by the various 1i; likely depart people and it is therefore protected so Kinsey said the sheriff budget the Temporary Council s proposal ments, each doing its own l ESTABLISHED ItTtOB that each generation may enjoy It." might have to be increased if this is will come before the planning, over the next five done, but there would be a net savings County Commission for approval years. i.ItJ ( O.PUGUSOM JOHN M.MIUIR,"Orbtldi.nI" attention Once permission should be is granted careful because reduction of the police at its first Monday given to the typesof department would more than offset We hope these matters are plants collected. Plants which look the increased expense of the sheriff's meeting in April. If the Com- i"-w--' ..rN..a..M..r___ beautiful in one setting not do office. mission adopts the special fire given the attention they ",1, e ._..>!.._<.A.t.._..I i r 9 well in another. A tree collected may froma 'The k.r said that sheriffs and < " ; tax district ordinance as deserve before the fire tax ..... damp shady area for example, their deputies proposed :f. ;,; ny spot. professional police departments job.I and do a more ,- .