Outdoors

Captain's Corner

By CHAD CARNEY
Published August 18, 2007

What's clear: In the heat of summer, visibility in the gulf's shallower waters often drops under 20 feet, making freediving less attractive. The clear waters of Central Florida's freshwater springs are accessible to many scuba divers and snorkelers, but most have either open basins that are too shallow to interest freedivers or overhead cavern conditions that make freediving unsafe. Troy Springs State Park is one beautiful exception, offering 70 feet of depth and a basin approximately 50 feet across. For information, go to floridastateparks.org/troyspring/ or call 386-935-4835.

Pinellas County Artificial Reef Program: In July, the County Commission put off voting on a proposal to eliminate the budget for this program and should decide soon. There are public hearings Sept. 4, Sept. 11 and Sept. 18. The budget for the reef program will be considered at the Sept. 11 meeting.

What to do: If you have an opinion, find information to e-mail commissioners at this site: pinellascounty.org/commission/default.htm. For other information, go to pinellascounty.org/budget/getinvolved.htm.

Chad Carney teaches diving and spearfishing in the Tampa Bay area. Call 727 423-7775 or e-mail chadcarney@verizon.net or visit www.mobilescuba.com.

[Last modified August 17, 2007, 23:21:26]