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Hernando Today

Time To Resolve Weeki Wachee Issues

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: December 23, 2007

We now have an opportunity to ensure that the historic Weeki Wachee Attraction remains open to the public and the internationally known mermaid shows continue to enchant future generations.

Under the direction of former Florida Supreme Court Justice Ben Overton, mediation talks over four months involving the Southwest Florida Water Management District, Weeki Wachee and the Department of Environmental Protection have produced a letter of intent. Signed by DEP and Weeki Wachee, the detailed letter spells out DEP's plans to operate the attraction as a state park, which will not only ensure its existence, but also enhance the facility and its amenities so even more people can enjoy a slice of old-style Florida entertainment.

If the letter leads to a signed agreement, it would end years of litigation between the district and the attraction. The district's primary interests have always been protecting the water resources and ensuring public safety. The attraction operates in Weeki Wachee Springs, one of only 33 first-magnitude springs in the state.

We are excited about the possibility of Weeki Wachee becoming a state park. The state park system is known as one of the finest in the country if not the world. Weeki Wachee would be an incredible addition to the other state parks along the coastal communities, including Homosassa, Rainbow River and Crystal River.

Unfortunately, the management of the attraction has raised two issues that we believe could delay or derail this process. First, the attraction characterizes the detailed letter of intent as a "promising outline" to begin "real negotiating." The letter of intent settles most if not all of the outstanding issues between DEP and the attraction and merely needs to be formalized as a contract. We have to wonder if this is simply another in a series of delaying tactics by which the attraction has dragged this issue on for years while at the same time using its "plight" to raise funds.

Second, we have to question the motivation behind the attraction suddenly wanting the county involved in the mediation process. The district has had numerous conversations with county staff over the years and they have historically not expressed interest in being a party to the settlement. Also, the county has not taken any formal action to be involved in these final mediated discussions. Now, at the 11th hour, as DEP steps forward to enable a win-win situation for all, the attraction wants the county involved in the process. Adding anyone into this process at this point is clearly going backwards, not forwards, in the settlement.

As a life-long Hernando County resident and businesswoman, I want what's best for my hometown. Having a first-class state park at Weeki Wachee, employing local people, would be a tremendous asset to this county. Is the attraction's interest in county involvement simply another delaying tactic or an attempt to better its officers' own personal negotiated deals?

The attraction has conducted an international "Save our Tails" campaign that supposedly has been about keeping the attraction open and the mermaids performing. The highly reputable and competent State Park Division of DEP offers to ensure those very things. What's the real agenda of the attraction's management?

We say the time for delays is over. This can be settled in a matter of weeks by formalizing the letter of intent into a final contract, consistent with the spirit of negotiating in good faith.

Judy Whitehead is district chairwoman of the Southwest Florida Water Management District.

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