Page 4 April 5, 2017
The Newscaster/Nature Coast News
SWFMD Purchases Portion of
emembering The Past
Rainbow River Ranch Property Board
The Southwest Florida Water Management District's (District) Governing
has approved a contract for the purchase of a significant portion of the eastern bank of the
Rainbow River. The parcel proposed for acquisition consists of nearly 115 acres and in-
cludes nearly a half mile of river frontage. The contract also contains provisions to protect
an additional 620 feet of shoreline associated with existing private landholdings.
Rainbow Springs is the largest first magnitude spring in Florida which feeds the
Rainbow River, and flows for approximately 5.7 miles until it merges into the Withlacooch-
ee River.
This important land acquisition is about 16 percent of the eastern bank of the Rain-
bow River, and along with existing public ownership, will allow the District to continue its
mission of protecting water resources and this important natural resource. This property and
its shoreline of marshes, wetlands and giant bald cypress trees is the last major undeveloped
property along this natural river corridor.
The total purchase price for this property is $3,914,893 with the conservation lands
being purchased using Florida Forever Funds and a grant by The Nature Conservancy. The
Nature Conservancy has committed $250,000 to the purchase of the Rainbow River Ranch
tract through their Private Grant Agreement for Land Assist program. In Florida since 1961,
The Nature Conservancy has helped to protect more than 1.2 million acres of vulnerable
lands and waters across the state.
The District will work cooperatively with the Florida Department of Environmen-
Located 3 miles north of Dunnellon on the east side of Hwy 41 is Rainbow Springs, a first
tal Protection (FDEP) Florida Park Service to develop an agreement to manage the park as
magnitude artesian spring, 4th largest in Florida producing 490 million gallons of water a
5093 S. Orwell Pt., Homosassa, Florida 34446
part of the adjoining Rainbow Springs State Park. See related story on right.
Drug trafficker, out on bond, arrested
Phone: is the headwaters of the Rainbow River (Blue Run) which empties into the Withlacooch-
day. It (352) 489-4588 Fax: (727) 362-4788
Tom Russell,River ending in the Gulfthenewscaster1@gmail.comI Spring till the 1930's when
ee Publishe, email: of Mexico. It was formerly called Blue
Debbie Russell, Editor, email: debbienewscaster@gmail.comLOWER name changed.CHANGE over
it was opened as a family owned amusement park and the
UNIT OIL Changing hands
for trafficking, along with passenger
the years, the major attraction was submarine boats (floated with glass windows). Eventu-
thenewscaster.com · wheel boat, leaf monorail through tree tops and rodeo were added,
newscasterarchives.com
ally an aviary, paddle
On March 23, the Citrus County Sheriff's Office ILP (Intelligence Led Policing) y.newscasterarchives.com natural beauty. In 1974 the park closed when the interstate
histor enhanced by the waterfalls and · thehealthcaster.com
B
Squad was working on the west side of the county, helping patrol units with calls for service. system took traffic off Hwy 41. The area was bought by the State in 1990, in 1992 opened on
When an ILP deputy checked into an expired tag on a truck, he realized the regis- weekends and in 1995 opened as a Florida State Park 365 days a year 8 AM until sunset. The
tered owner, Daniel Glenn Purvis, 35, of Sunterville, FL, had been arrested just two weeks main spring is shut off to motorized boat traffic. A swimming area opens in April and canoes
previously for trafficking methamphetamine in Citrus County - currently out of jail on bond. and kayaks offer a great view. In the spring the flowers are beyond belief. For $2 you can walk
The deputy conducted a traffic stop on the truck, and a K9 (canine) made a positive alert on these trails and view the amazing waters that drew native Americans to it over 10,000 years
the vehicle, which was then searched by several deputies.
ago. Photo from State of Florida Archives.
During a consensual pat down of passenger Kyle James Ross, 25, 7398 S. Sorrell
CrimeStoppers Citrus: 1-888-ANY-TIPS
Ave., Homosassa, he was found to be in possession of a trafficking amount of methamphet-
amine and a hydromorphone pill. He was charged with trafficking in methamphetamine
greater than 28 grams, and possession of a controlled substance (hydromorphone), with his
Crimestoppers Levy: 1-877-349-8477
bond set at $52,000.
Continued on page 8
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