Mayor Caulderwood seemed to have changed her mind about the development and in her letter told me to "leave it to the experts". Dear Friends, First I wanted to thank all of you for your support and help in the efforts to protect Mill Creek Sink Cave System. Your efforts are appreciated! After I found out about the planned development on the land that Mill Creek Cave ran under and how much was involved in this issue I have learned to appreciate your talents! My first awareness was after reading an article in a local newspaper in Dec of 2004. The article addressed the legal problems with the new Wal Mart distribution center. It also mentioned that there was intention by that company to build on the land that the cave was flowing under. It was to be a Supercenter and have something like 18 gas pumps. I emailed the Mayor of Alachua Jean Calderwood and also spoke with her at her part time job at Shands. She assured me that no development would take place over fragile Karst. In Oct of 2005 I was upset to read another article stating that the development was still going in on that land. I once again emailed both Mayor Caulderwood and started calling Wal mart. Mayor Caulderwood seemed to have changed her mind about the development and in her letter told me to "leave it to the experts". I am unable to find that letter at short notice but I have found a few others that I am attaching here. Mayor Caulderwood also assured me that all my letters and faxes would become public record and you should be able to get a copy of those letters from the City. After the letter from the Mayor I tried contacting the City Manager and then the entire City Commission. I am also attaching the two faxes I sent to Wal Mart. I started calling their environmental office and eventually ended up talking to Eric Strauss who I was told was in charge of development for the company in this area of Florida. They never returned any calls after the second email. I spoke with several people in the DEP including Richard Deadman and others who were very helpful and started me looking at Karst Laws in Alachua and for SRWM. I called Suwannee River Water Management and found out that Wal Mart had not filed for a permit at that time. I asked about the laws and was told that the cave would not be brought into consideration because under their rules nothing over 50 feet from the surface was required to be studied. SRWM told me they did not have the staff to evaluate anything with caves. I placed my name on the list to be notified when Wal Mart pulled the permit, they did so. When I received the permit application I realized that none of my efforts to date had been successful in getting anyone to look at my concerns. I then went to an "anti Wal Mart" meeting and at the end of the Movie and meeting stood up and started trying to attract attention. I had a short blurb in the paper the next day and was called by John Ownens who was able to direct me to the Springs Working Group. Through that group and the efforts of many others the problems that I noted as well as others with this site have been verified and brought to the point we are at now. My primary concern was the actual physical destruction of the cave at the site of the large sink hole on the land that Wal Mart plans to build on. It connects to the cave and any damage or contamination to to the cave will occur in this area. The sink is 50 feet deep. Divers have been up in this fissure to the depth of 70 feet and I know there is a direct connection to the cave in this area. Second, the contamination of the water with the possible destruction of the cave adapted creatures that live in the cave. Third, possible flooding from physical destruction of that cave. At the time I started this I knew that there had been old dye tests that stated the cave which has a very strong spring flow in it was connected to Hornsby Springs and that the caves were very similar. I now know through Pete`s dye test that they do connect and I feel that the Mill Creek Cave system is a major source of water for this spring. I have learned a great deal from each of you. I have also found more questions that I do not think have been answered yet. How much of the flow from Alachua comes out at Hornesby? I think we need flow testing and to establish minimum flow levels for both springs. Why hasn`t anyone approached or asked for a study to show the results of blocking this cave? It carries a huge amount of water away from the area. How will this development effect the cave adapted animals who live in the cave? We need a accurate species survey. Will there be provisions for ongoing monitoring of spring flow, water quality and life in this cave? Mill Creek Sink is a fantastic natural wonder. It has developed there over thousands of years to carry water, it is an active ecosystem and source of recreation. Loss and or damage to this Cave is not something any human can repair. I appreciate that all of you are looking at this problem and hope that you continue your efforts. Cindy Butler  Letter 1 111778 bytes
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