Letter from James "Jim" P. Clugston to Harold L. Moody (October 18,1961)
A letter of correspondence between Harold L. Moody and James "Jim" P. Clugston, both fishery biologists working for the Florida Game and Freshwater Fish Commission (merged into the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission in 1999). The letter discusses the identification of a plant specimen found near Lake Apopka by Harold L. Moody and identified by Erdman West as Taro, Colocasia esculenta. Taro is native to Africa and considered an invasive species in Florida. Taro was introduced to the Americas as a food crop for slaves. This letter may serve as evidence of the introduction of this plant to Central Florida by 1967.
Photocopy of original 1-page typewritten letter from James "Jim" P. Clugston to Harold L. Moody, October 18,1961: binder 1961, drawer 1938-1987, Friends of Lake Apopka Archives, Ginn Museum, Oakland Nature Preserve, Oakland, Florida.
U.S. Department of the Interior Geological Survey of Lake Apopka
A U.S. Department of the Interior, Water Resources Division survey of Lake Apopka's water quality. This data was collected at Winter Garden, Florida, in 1959 and 1961. Winter Garden is located on the southern shore of Lake Apopka.
Photocopy of original 1-page geological survey by the U.S. Department of the Interior, Water Resources Division, 1961: binder 1961, drawer 1938-1987, Friends of Lake Apopka Archives, Ginn Museum, Oakland Nature Preserve, Oakland, Florida.
U.S. Department of the Interior, Water Resources Division
Lake Apopka Chemical-Physical Data, August and September 1956
A water quality survey for Lake Apopka. Samples shown were taken by Harold L. Moody, a fishery biologist working for the Florida Game and Freshwater Fish Commission. The samples were drawn from several locations across the lake, over a range of one month. Included in the table is data from the U.S. Ecological Survey of Lake Apopka from 1924. The lake was considered mainly pristine in 1924 and the muck farms considered responsible for much of the pollution in the lake were not constructed until 1941. Bass fishing in Lake Apopka was considered world-class until the 1950s. This table shows an massive increase in sulfate levels in the lake since 1924, ranging from an increase of 4 to 10 times.
Photocopy of original 1-page survey by the Florida Game and Freshwater Fish Commission, 1956: binder 1961, drawer 1938-1987, Friends of Lake Apopka Archives, Ginn Museum, Oakland Nature Preserve, Oakland, Florida.
Florida Game and Freshwater Fish Commission
An outline map of Lake Apopka, created by the Lake and Stream Survey for the Florida Game and Freshwater Fish Commission. The outline shows the major towns bordering the lake, Oakland and Winter Garden. It also identifies key landmarks on Lake Apopka, such as Gourd's Neck, Hog Island, and various hay stacks. Fish camps are also shown ringing the lake. The division between Lake and Orange Counties is shown cutting across the lake.
Photocopy of original map by the Florida Game and Freshwater Fish Commission, July 1957: binder 1961, drawer 1938-1987, Friends of Lake Apopka Archives, Ginn Museum, Oakland Nature Preserve, Oakland, Florida.
Letter from Harold L. Moody to James "Jim" P. Clugston (December 17, 1962)
A letter of correspondence between Harold L. Moody and James "Jim" P. Clugston. In the letter, Moody discusses the changes in Lake Apopka's water quality during the 1940s and 1950s. He provides a brief timeline of the creation of the muck farms on Apopka's north shore, and notes that Winter Garden has expanded their sewage treatment in the last half-decade. He also notes that the bass fishing on Lake Apopka has declined during the 1950s, considering the 1950-1951 bass season the last phenomenal year.
Photocopy of original 1-page typewritten letter from Harold L. Moody to James "Jim" P. Clugston, December 17, 162: binder 1962, drawer 1938-1987, Friends of Lake Apopka Archives, Ginn Museum, Oakland Nature Preserve, Oakland, Florida.
Letter from O. E. Frye, Jr. to John A. Sutton (June 21, 1962)
A letter of correspondence from O. E. Frye, Jr., Assistant Director of the Florida Game and Freshwater Fish Commission, to the Honorable John A. Sutton. The letter discusses possible legal action against those responsible for the 1962 Lake Apopka fish kill. Frye considers a successful legal action to be unlikely, and states his intention to explore possible regulations that could be applied to those responsible for the fish kill. The letter also congratulates Sutton on his success in the Democratic Primary Election, representing Florida's district 11, newly created that year, in the 1962 elections for the U.S. House of Representatives. He was later defeated by Republican Edward Gurney.
Photocopy of original 1-page typewritten letter from O. E. Frye, Jr. to John A. Sutton, June 21, 1962: binder 1962, drawer 1938-1987, Friends of Lake Apopka Archives, Ginn Museum, Oakland Nature Preserve, Oakland, Florida.
Orange County Courthouse, Orlando, Florida
Lake Apopka Water Quality Measurements, 1961-1962
A table of measurements of various dissolved substances found in Lake Apopka, gathered from random points across the surface of the lake in March 1961, September 1961, and January 1962.
Photocopy of original table: binder 1962, drawer 1938-1987, Friends of Lake Apopka Archives, Ginn Museum, Oakland Nature Preserve, Oakland, Florida.
Memorandum from W. R. Peavy, Jr. (July 23, 1962)
A 1-page memorandum from W. R. Peavy, Jr., a fishery biologist with the Florida Game and Freshwater Fish Commission, regarding the May 1962 Lake Apopka fish kill. The memorandum revises the earlier estimate of fish killed, found in Harold L. Moody's memorandum toO. E. Frye, Jr., Assistant Director of the commission, from 50,000 lbs to 120,000 pounds. Frye states his belief that DDT (dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane) and parathion sprayed from agricultural aircraft were responsible for the kill. Samples of the dead fish were shipped to the University of North Carolina for analysis by Dr. Charles Weiss, Professor of Sanitary Science. The results were inconclusive regarding pesticides, as the cause of the kill due to decay suffered in transit. However, some samples did show evidence of exposure to pesticide.
Photocopy of original 1-page typewritten memorandum from W. R. Peavy, Jr., July 23, 1962: binder 1962, drawer 1938-1987, Friends of Lake Apopka Archives, Ginn Museum, Oakland Nature Preserve, Oakland, Florida.
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
A news release from The Tallahassee News detailing the May 1962 fish kills on Lake Apopka. Two fish kills occurred within three days, killing an estimated three million pounds of gizzard and threadfin shad. Water samples were sent to the Florida State Board of Health for testing. The kills are believed to be a result of a combination of various pollutions, including pesticide from aerial spraying, fertilizer run-off, and waste discharge from sewage plants and citrus processing.
Photocopy of original 1-page typewritten press release, June 1962: The Tallahassee News, Tallahassee, Florida: binder 1962, drawer 1938-1987, Friends of Lake Apopka Archives, Ginn Museum, Oakland Nature Preserve, Oakland, Florida.
The Tallahassee News
A to Z: Zellwood Drainage and Water Control District Brochure
A brochure detailing the creation of the Zellwood Farming District. The brochure gives a timeline of the district's creation and funding, and gives data regarding the District's economic output and employment. The brochure also discusses the District's impact on Lake Apopka.
Photocopy of original 15-page brochure by Henry Swanson: binder 1962, drawer 1938-1987, Friends of Lake Apopka Archives, Ginn Museum, Oakland Nature Preserve, Oakland, Florida.
Zellwood Drainage and Water Control District
Letter from Harold L. Moody to O. E. Frye, Jr. (June 11, 1962)
A letter of correspondence from Harold L. Moody, fishery biologist, to O. E. Frye, Jr., Assistant Director of the Florida Game and Freshwater Fish Commission. The letter discusses a fish kill on Lake Apopka in May 1962. Moody reports that eyewitnesses observed an agricultural spray plane disperse pesticides over the lake shortly before the fish kill began. Fish kills are usually associated with low levels of dissolved oxygen in the water. Moody notes that his samples showed the oxygen levels to be low, but rather than being evenly dispersed through the lake, the fish kill was concentrated at the north shore adjacent to the farming operations. Moody also notes the presence of dead reptiles and amphibians not normally found during an oxygen-related kill. The fish kill was estimated at 50,000 pounds, at that time the largest fish kill of 1962.
Photocopy of original 2-page letter from Harold L. Moody to O. E. Frye, Jr., June 11, 1962: binder 1962, drawer 1938-1987, Friends of Lake Apopka Archives, Ginn Museum, Oakland Nature Preserve, Oakland, Florida.
Lake Apopka, Florida Fish Kill Report by Eugene W. Surber
A report by Eugene W. Surber on the May 1963 Lake Apopka Fish Kill. Surber describes his visit to Lake Apopka, Florida, and examines samples of dead and dying fish recovered from the lake. It is estimated that roughly 3 millions pounds of fish were killed in May 1963. Surber interviews several locals regarding aerial spraying of pesticide and its correlation to the Apopka fish kills. He concludes that pesticide the most likely cause of the fish kills, due to the extremely fast and intermittent nature of the kills.
Photocopy of original 5-page typewritten report: binder 1963, drawer 1938-1987, Friends of Lake Apopka Archives, Ginn Museum, Oakland Nature Preserve, Oakland, Florida.
Aquatic Biology Section, Robert A. Taft Sanitary Engineering Center
Letter from John R. Thoman to A. D. Aldrich (July 25, 1963)
A letter of correspondence from John R. Thoman, the Regional Director of the Water Supply and Pollution Control Division of the U.S. Department of Health, Education, and Welfare, to A. D. Aldrich, the Director of the Florida Game and Freshwater Fish Commission. The letter discusses the analysis of the samples taken by Eugene W. Surber during his visit to Lake Apopka, Florida, in June 1963. Analysis of fish samples performed by chemists with the Department of Health found large concentrations of dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) were in the bass fish samples. According to the letter, Thoman does not believe these concentrations necessarily indicate DDT poisoning as the cause of death.
Photocopy of original 2-page typewritten letter from John R. Thoman to A. D. Aldrich, July 25, 1963: binder 1963, drawer 1938-1987, Friends of Lake Apopka Archives, Ginn Museum, Oakland Nature Preserve, Oakland, Florida.
Florida Game and Fresh Water Commission, Tallahassee, Florida
Letter from F. G. Banks to Clayton Phillippy (September 5, 1963)
A letter of correspondence from F. G. Banks, the Assistant Chief of the Fisheries Division of the Florida Game and Freshwater Commission, to Clayton Phillippy, a biologist with the commission. The letter describes an attached report by Doyle C. Golden regarding pesticide content in Lake Apopka fish samples and makes recommendations for future samples.
Photocopy of original 1-page typewritten letter from F. G. Banks to Clayton Phillippy, September 5, 1963: binder 1963, drawer 1938-1987, Friends of Lake Apopka Archives, Ginn Museum, Oakland Nature Preserve, Oakland, Florida.
Letter from Robert "Bob" W. Sherman to Henry F. Swanson (June 19, 1963)
A letter of correspondence from Robert "Bob" W. Sherman, the Killarney Fish Camp Operator, to Henry F. Swanson, the Orange County Agriculture Extension Agent. The letter is written in response to a farming brochure, "A to Zellwood", describing the Zellwood Drainage and Water Control District. Sherman disputes some of the claims made in this brochure, and reminds Swanson that experts convened by the State in June 1963 to examine the fish kills in Lake Apopka did not rule out pesticides as the cause of death.
Photocopy of original 2-page typewritten letter from Robert "Bob" W. Sherman to Henry F. Swanson, June 19, 1963: binder 1963, drawer 1938-1987, Friends of Lake Apopka Archives, Ginn Museum, Oakland Nature Preserve, Oakland, Florida.
Inspection of Fish Kills at Lake Apopka, Florida
A report detailing Thomas L. Wellborn, Jr.'s visit to Lake Apopka, Florida in June 1963. Wellborn, a biologist with the Bureau of Sport Fisheries and Wildlife of the Fish and Wildlife Service, an agency of the U.S. Department of the Interior, visited Lake Apopka to examine fish for signs of disease. Though some fish parasites were identified, Wellborn found no evidence of infectious diseases among the moribund fish in Lake Apopka. Samples were taken and sent to be examined for viral disease. Wellborn details his observations of planes spraying pesticides into Lake Apopka on three separate mornings.
Photocopy of original 2-page typewritten report, June 1963: binder 1963, drawer 1938-1987, Friends of Lake Apopka Archives, Ginn Museum, Oakland Nature Preserve, Oakland, Florida.
Bureau of Sport Fisheries and Wildlife, Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Department of the Interior
Letter from Doyle C. Golden to A. D. Aldrich (August 26, 1963)
A letter of correspondence from Doyle C. Golden, the Administrative Assistant for the Division of Chemistry of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, to A. D. Aldrich, the Director of the Florida Game and Freshwater Fish Commission. The report gives data from the analysis of fish samples collected from Lake Apopka, Florida, by Chester Burke and L. E. Cromwell on June 24-25, 1963. DDT and DDT metabolites were found to be present in all samples examined.
Photocopy of original 3-page typewritten letter from Doyle C. Golden to A. D. Aldrich, August 26, 1963: binder 1963, drawer 1938-1987, Friends of Lake Apopka Archives, Ginn Museum, Oakland Nature Preserve, Oakland, Florida.
A newspaper article from The Orlando Evening Star from December 18, 1963. The article discusses the current polluted state of Lake Apopka and various theories about the source of Lake Apopka's problems. The article also mentions possible methods to clean up the lake.
Photocopy of original newspaper article: Rider, Don. "Lake Apopka Woes Not Answered." The Orlando Evening Star: binder 1963, drawer 1938-1987, Friends of Lake Apopka Archives, Ginn Museum, Oakland Nature Preserve, Oakland, Florida.
Memorandum from L. E. Cromwell to John W. Woods (May 20, 1963)
A memorandum from L. E. Cromwell, a fisheries biologist, to John W. Woods, the Chief of Fish Management for the Florida Game and Freshwater Fish Commission. The memo describes water samples drawn from Lake Apopka, Florida, by Cromwell and gives his observations of a May 1963 fish kill.
Photocopy of original 2-page memorandum from L. E. Cromwell to John W. Woods, May 20, 1963: binder 1963, drawer 1938-1987, Friends of Lake Apopka Archives, Ginn Museum, Oakland Nature Preserve, Oakland, Florida.
Conference on Lake Apopka Fish Kills, June 12, 1963
A report by Harold L. Moody for a conference held by various state officials to investigate the fish kills in Lake Apopka, Florida. Moody's notes describe the current fish kill, some past kills, and efforts by the different State departments to investigate the fish kills. Various causes of the fish kills are discussed. Moody disagrees with the State Board of Health that oxygen supersaturation is causing the kills; Moody believes the cause is either pesticides or an unknown fish disease.
Photocopy of original 5-page typewritten report, June 12, 1963: binder 1963, drawer 1938-1987, Friends of Lake Apopka Archives, Ginn Museum, Oakland Nature Preserve, Oakland, Florida.
Lake Apopka Revives As Sports Fish Arena
A newspaper article dated June 9, 1964. The article briefly describes remarks by C. W. Sheffield, an Orange County sanitary engineer. Sheffield states that Lake Apopka, Florida is healthier than it has been in four years, primarily due to dilution from holding the water level higher. The lake was the site of a major fish kill in May of 1953.
Photocopy of original newspaper article: "Lake Apopka Revives As Sports Fish Arena." June 9, 1964: Binder 1964, drawer 1938-1987, Friends of Lake Apopka Archives, Ginn Museum, Oakland Nature Preserve, Oakland, Florida.
Memorandum from Leesburg Fisheries Experiment Station to John W. Woods (May 28, 1964)
A memorandum from the Leesburg Fisheries Experiment Station to John W. Woods, the Chief of Fisheries Division for the Florida Game and Freshwater Fish Commission. The memo discusses a recent report by Joe E. Burgess for the Florida State Board of Health. The author of the memo disagrees with several findings of the State Board of Health report and discusses inconsistencies in the wording of the report.
Photocopy of original 2-page typewritten memorandum from Leesburg Fisheries Experiment Station to John W. Woods, May 28, 1964: Binder 1964, drawer 1938-1987, Friends of Lake Apopka Archives, Ginn Museum, Oakland Nature Preserve, Oakland, Florida.
Undesirable Factors Cited in Report of 'The Big Pond', Lake Apopka; 1962-1964
A newspaper article discussing a Florida State Board of Health report regarding the condition of Lake Apopka, Florida. The report examines various contributions to the pollution of the lake and makes recommendations towards the cleanup process.
Photocopy of original newspaper article: "Undesirable Factors Cited in Report of 'The Big Pond', Lake Apopka; 1962-1964": Binder 1964, drawer 1938-1987, Friends of Lake Apopka Archives, Ginn Museum, Oakland Nature Preserve, Oakland, Florida.
Letter from Harold L. Moody to John W. Woods (October 21, 1965)
A letter from Harold L. Moody, a fisheries biologist, to John W. Woods, chief of the Fisheries Division for the Florida Game and Freshwater Commission. The letter discusses aquatic vegetation in Lake Apopka. Moody states that heavy rainfall has helped dilute pollution in the lake and improved light penetration in the water, decreasing the algae content and allowing limited regrowth of certain aquatic plants. These plants were once the dominant vegetation in the lake. Moody believes that this regrowth is temporary unless the inflow of nutrients and pollution can be halted.
Photocopy of original typewritten letter from Harold L. Moody to John W. Woods, October 21, 1965: binder 1965, Friends of Lake Apopka Archives, Ginn Museum, Oakland Nature Preserve, Oakland, Florida.
Letter from O. E. Frye, Jr. to Claude Collins (April 25, 1966)
A letter from O. E. Frye Jr., the director of the Florida Game and Freshwater Fish Commission, to Claude Collins. Frye writes in response to Collins' concerns regarding sportsfishing in the St. John's River, and informs him that Florida Governor William Haydon Burns is reforming the St. John's River Advisory Committee to investigate problems on the river.
Photocopy of original typewritten letter from O. E. Frye, Jr. to Claude Collins, April 25, 1966: binder 1966, Friends of Lake Apopka Archives, Ginn Museum, Oakland Nature Preserve, Oakland, Florida.
Letter from James B. Lackey to Harold L. Moody (July 28, 1966)
A letter from James B. Lackey, a water and waste biological consultant, to Harold L. Moody, the River Fishery Project Leader at the Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission, discussing water samples from Lake Apopka in Florida. Lackey, a retired University of Florida professor, was hired by Lake and Orange counties to study water quality in Lake Apopka and the Harris Chain of Lakes. In the letter, Lackey describes the samples as representing highly over-fertilized water, and expects annual fish kills on Lake Apopka if the fertilizer loading from the Zellwood farms is not stopped.
Photocopy of original typewritten letter from James B. Lackey to Harold L. Moody, July 28, 1966: binder 1966, Friends of Lake Apopka Archives, Ginn Museum, Oakland Nature Preserve, Oakland, Florida.
Letter from William "Don" D. McAllister to V. D. Patten (June 15, 1966)
A letter from William "Don" D. McAllister to V. D. Patten at the Florida State Board of Health, with attached statement. McAllister hosted the Central Florida TV-show Hunting and Fishing with Don, which ran 1954 to 1972 on WDBO-Channel 6. The letter and attached statement detail observations made by McAllister while fishing on Lake Apopka in Florida. McAllister observed a large cloud of pesticide spray drifting over Lake Apopka, dispersed by spray planes operating Zellwood. McAllister also observed a moderate fish kill in the area.
Photocopy of original typewritten letter from William "Don" D. McAllister to V. D. Patten and typewritten statement, June 15, 1966: binder 1966, Friends of Lake Apopka Archives, Ginn Museum, Oakland Nature Preserve, Oakland, Florida.
Letter from Harold L. Moody to James B. Lackey (July 22,1966)
A letter from Harold L. Moody, River Fishery Project Leader for the Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission, to James B. Lackey. Lackey was hired by Lake County and Orange County to study water quality in Lake Apopka and the Ocklawaha River in Florida. Moody's letter discusses his collecting of water samples, which he had sent to Lackey for examination. The samples were collected after fish kills on the lake. Moody states both kills were associated with discharge from the Winter Garden sewage treatment plant.
Photocopy of original typewritten letter from Harold L. Moody to James B. Lackey, July 22,1966: binder 1966, Friends of Lake Apopka Archives, Ginn Museum, Oakland Nature Preserve, Oakland, Florida.
A report by the Florida Game and Freshwater Fish Commission detailing the results of an experimental seining of Lake Apopka in Florida. Seining was evaluated as a potential method of removing nutrients from the lake by capturing and removing large amounts of rough fish. This method proved both inefficient and economically inviable. The Commission investigated selling the rough fish captured for use as fertilizer, but were unable to capture amounts large enough to be economically feasible. The report also notes a massive increase in the gar population, and attributes this to the decline in the lake's health, as gar are able to fill an ecological niche that other fish cannot. The report ultimately concludes seining operations on Lake Apopka will be useless until pollution discharges into the lake are halted.
Original typewritten report: binder 1966, Friends of Lake Apopka Archives, Ginn Museum, Oakland Nature Preserve, Oakland, Florida.
Abandonment of Part of Maple Street Approved
A newspaper article from The Winter Garden Times announcing that the Orange County Commission had approved of plans the Winter Garden Citrus Cooperative's plans to construct a new processing plant. The plant would treat wastewater created from citrus processing and discharge the water into Lake Apopka. The article claims the plant was being constructed in cooperation with the ongoing Lake Apopka restoration efforts.
Photocopy of original newspaper article: "Abandonment of Part of Maple Street Approved." The Winter Garden Times, January 25, 1968: binder 1968, Friends of Lake Apopka Archives, Ginn Museum, Oakland Nature Preserve, Oakland, Florida.
Profile of Bottom Completed: L. Apopka Study Continues
A newspaper article from The Winter Garden Times discussing progress made on Lake Apopka restoration plans. According to the article, the bottom survey of the lake was continuing as planned, as well as the water quality sampling. The article also discusses experiments being carried out by Dr. Thomas Furman and Professor Kiker of the University of Florida (UF), examining the potential of water hyacinth in removing nutrients from water. A similar experimental pond using algae is being constructed at the Pine Hills sewage treatment plant. The article also notes requests made by C. W. Sheffield, chairman of the Lake Apopka Technical Committee, for further studies of seining in the lake.
Photocopy of original newspaper article: "Lake Apopka Study Continues." The Winter Garden Times, January 25, 1968: binder 1968, Friends of Lake Apopka Archives, Ginn Museum, Oakland Nature Preserve, Oakland, Florida.
Letter from C. W. Sheffield to Arthur W. Sinclair (March 7, 1968)
A letter from C. W. Sheffield, chairman of the Lake Apopka Technical Committee, to Arthur W. Sinclair, executive secretary of the Winter Garden Chamber of Commerce. The Technical Committee was formed by Florida Governor Claude R. Kirk, Jr. (1926-2011) in 1967, with C. W. Sheffield to serve as chairman. The committee was tasked with investigating potential methods for the restoration of Lake Apopka. In this letter, Sheffield says he has no objection to Sinclair's use of the committee's weekly reports for a possible news release. The letter also mentions a planned three- or five-year study to investigate the feasibility of funding the removal of rough fish from Lake Apopka through the fish meal industry. Finally, the letter mentions the postponing of the Governor's review of the committee's progress due to an ongoing "school crisis." This is in reference to the statewide Florida Teachers' Strike of 1968, in which 40 percent of Florida teachers resigned their positions in February of that year, in protest of underfunding of the state education system.
Original 1-page typewritten letter from C. W. Sheffield to Arthur W. Sinclair, March 7, 1968: binder 1968, Friends of Lake Apopka Archives, Ginn Museum, Oakland Nature Preserve, Oakland, Florida.
Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission, Tallahassee, Florida
Letter from Edward A. Zagar to J. W. Woods (April 15, 1968)
A letter from Edward A. Zagar, fisheries biologist with the Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission, to J. W. Woods, Director of Fisheries for the commission. The letter discusses a survey of Lake Apopka and Lake Griffin by Zagar and others, looking for hyacinth. The water hyacinth is an invasive aquatic plant, first introduced to the United States in 1884 at the World's Fair in New Orleans, Louisiana. A visitor from Florida returned with samples of the plant, which were then introduced to the St Johns River. The water hyacinth grows extremely rapidly, choking waterways, preventing navigation, and clogging flood control structures. Methods of hyacinth control include chemical spraying, mechanical harvesting, and hand removal. In this letter, Zagar claims no concentrations of hyacinth large enough for spraying were found in either lake. At this time, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (CoE) was responsible for hyacinth control.
Original 1-page typewritten letter from Edward A. Zagar to J. W. Woods, April 15, 1968: binder 1968, Friends of Lake Apopka Archives, Ginn Museum, Oakland Nature Preserve, Oakland, Florida.
A list of studies to be performed on Lake Apopka by the Lake Apopka Technical Committee during the summer of 1968. The Technical Committee was formed by Florida Governor Claude R. Kirk, Jr. (1926-2011) in 1967, with C. W. Sheffield as chairman, to investigate pollution in and potential restoration of Lake Apopka. The studies on this list include nutrient removal experiments, studies of consolidation of lake sediment, plankton surveys, and rainfall sampling. Towns studied include Oakland, Ferndale, Lake Porter, Winter Garden, Zellwood, and Pine Hills.
Original 1-page typewritten table: binder 1968, Friends of Lake Apopka Archives, Ginn Museum, Oakland Nature Preserve, Oakland, Florida.
A newspaper article discussing progress made on Lake Apopka restoration plans. The article praises Florida Governor Claude R. Kirk, Jr. (1926-2011) and C. W. Sheffield, chairman of the Lake Apopka Technical Committee, for their efforts to address pollution in Lake Apopka.
Photocopy of original newspaper article: "At Last—Cure for Lake Apopka." The Winter Garden Times, June 7, 1967: binder 1968, Friends of Lake Apopka Archives, Ginn Museum, Oakland Nature Preserve, Oakland, Florida.
Memorandum from C. W. Sheffield to Lake Apopka Committee Members (June 17, 1968)
A memorandum from C. W. Sheffield, chairman of the Lake Apopka Technical Committee, to the members of the committee The memo summarizes briefly a hearing held on June 13, 1968, regarding the committee's progress. Attending the hearing were members of the Federal Water and Air Pollution Control Administration (FWPCA), which was funding some of the committee's restoration projects. Presented at the hearing were the committee's conclusions regarding the Lake Apopka restoration. Item Number II of these recommendations recommended that legal actions against known polluters of the lake be halted "due to excellent cooperation" with the restoration project.
Original 2-page typewritten memorandum from C. W. Sheffield to Lake Apopka Committee Members, June 17, 1968: binder 1968, Friends of Lake Apopka Archives, Ginn Museum, Oakland Nature Preserve, Oakland, Florida.
This document details the history and functions of the Internal Improvement Fund. This fund was created in 1851 to handle the sale, maintenance, and leasing of public lands. These public lands came from an initial grant of 500,000 acres from the federal government at the admission of Florida as a state. More land was available as well for use of public education. The fund's earliest tasks were the construction of railroads and improvement of waterways. The fund's focus shifted to land reclamation and drainage during the 1880s, continuing into the 1920s. The fund also played an active role in the drainage of the Everglades during this period. This document further details the bureaucratic structure of the fund, as well as data on the amount of land still controlled by it.
Original 6-page typewritten report: binder 1968, Friends of Lake Apopka Archives, Ginn Museum, Oakland Nature Preserve, Oakland, Florida.
A pamphlet detailing the legacy of George Westinghouse (1846-1914) and his business entrepreneurship. Originally called the Westinghouse Electric Company, Westinghouse founded his manufacturing company in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on January 8, 1886. In 1889, he renamed his business the Westinghouse Electric and Manufacturing Company. Westinghouse's primary products include turbines, generators, motors and switchgear related to the generation, transmission, and use of electricity. The company changed its name to Westinghouse Electric Corporation in 1945.
Reprint of original 16-page pamphlet: Private Collection of George E. Baker.
Letter from Henry F. Swanson (January 21, 1966)
A letter from Henry F. Swanson (1902-1989) to supporters of agriculture in Orange County, Florida. Swanson was the Orange County Agricultural Extension Agent from 1948 to 1978. The Extension Service is a cooperative effort between the University of Florida (UF) and state and local governments to make agricultural and ecological research available to the public. In addition to his role as a public advocate for Central Florida agriculture, Swanson was well-known as an early advocate for protection of Central Florida aquifers. In this letter, he outlines the need for a water management plan that would protect valuable aquifer "recharge" areas and better control excess rainfall.
Original 2-page typewritten letter from Henry F. Swanson, January 21, 1966: binder 1966, Friends of Lake Apopka Archives, Ginn Museum, Oakland Nature Preserve, Oakland, Florida.
College of Agriculture, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida
Letter from Percy D. Blunt to the Editor of The Winter Garden Times (April 1, 1966)
A letter to the editor of The Winter Garden Times from Percy D. Blunt, who served as the Mayor of Winter Garden, Florida, from 1963 to 1965. In the letter, Blunt comments on a previous editorial which called for rejuvenation of tourism and water sports on Lake Apopka. Blunt believes that for this to be possible, citizen advocacy groups must form to combat the special interests groups who benefit from the pollution of the lake. Blunt mentions several state legislators that he appealed to for help in restoring the lake, without success. He also mentions the polluted state of Lulu Creek, which flows through Winter Garden and carried citrus processing discharge into Lake Apopka.
Photocopy of original newspaper article: Blunt, Percy D. "Letter to the Editor." The Winter Garden Times, April 1966: binder 1966, Friends of Lake Apopka Archives, Ginn Museum, Oakland Nature Preserve, Oakland, Florida.
Notice of Application for Approval of Bridge Plans
A public notice from the I.S. Army Corps of Engineers discussing the possible approval of bridge plans proposed by the Florida State Road Department. The plans are for a replacement of an existing bridge, where Florida State Road 48 (SR 48) crosses the Apopka-Beauclair Canal in Mount Dora. The goal of distributing the public notice is to collect data in support of or opposition to the proposed bridge plans. A map and schematics are attached.
Original notice, November 29, 1966: binder 1966, Friends of Lake Apopka Archives, Ginn Museum, Oakland Nature Preserve, Oakland, Florida.
Apopka-Beauclair Canal, Mount Dora, Florida
Peninsular Florida Depends Upon The Rainfall Cycle for Water Supplies
A document discussing the importance of rainfall to Central Florida's water supply. This reporthows Orlando rainfall data for circa 1905 to circa 1965, listing monthly averages and record highs and lows.
Original report: binder 1966, Friends of Lake Apopka Archives, Ginn Museum, Oakland Nature Preserve, Oakland, Florida.
Subjects to be Presented at Public Hearing on Local Water Pollution
A document by Arthur "Jimmie" W. Sinclair, executive secretary of the Winter Garden Chamber of Commerce, discussing his planned comments at a public hearing on water pollution held in Orlando Chamber of Commerce building on November 14, 1966. The document gives a timeline of pollution discharges into the lake, and recommends as solution the development of catch basins lining the north shore, and planting of vegetation to act as a buffer zone.
Original document by Arthur W. Sinclair: binder 1966, Friends of Lake Apopka Archives, Ginn Museum, Oakland Nature Preserve, Oakland, Florida.
Orlando Chamber of Commerce, Orlando, Florida
Letter from Henry F. Swanson (February 11, 1966)
A letter from Henry F. Swanson (1902-1989) to supporters of agriculture in Orange County, Florida. Swanson was the Orange County Agricultural Extension Agent from 1948 to 1978. The Extension Service is a cooperative effort between the University of Florida (UF) and state and local governments to make agricultural and ecological research available to the public. In addition to his role as a public advocate for Central Florida agriculture, Swanson was well-known as an early advocate for protection of Central Florida aquifers. In this letter, he describes a "greenbelt" of land in Central Florida that is a vital aquifer recharge area. Swanson also discusses the importance of agriculture, as a type of land use that does not prevent rainfall recharge (as real estate development would).
Original 2-page typewritten letter from Henry F. Swanson, February 11, 1966: binder 1966, Friends of Lake Apopka Archives, Ginn Museum, Oakland Nature Preserve, Oakland, Florida.
Taxpayers Petition County to Get Action on Lake Apopka Pollution
A newspaper article from The Winter Garden Times describing petitions being circulated by Orange County sports fishermen and fishing camp owners. The petition calls for action in restoring Lake Apopka, and finding some compromise to make the farming on the shores of the lake compatible with sports fishing interests. The article also gives a brief description of the history of the pollution of the lake and its former status as a well-known sports fishing destination.
Photocopy of original newspaper article: "Taxpayers Petition County to Get Action on Lake Apopka Pollution." The Winter Garden Times, April 28, 1966: binder 1966, Friends of Lake Apopka Archives, Ginn Museum, Oakland Nature Preserve, Oakland, Florida.
Letter from Sally Cameron to Arthur W. Sinclair (July 25, 1966)
A letter from Sally Cameron, Director of Research for Claude Roy Kirk, Jr.'s (1926-2011) gubernatorial campaign, in response to an earlier letter from Arthur W. Sinclair, the Executive Secretary-Manager for the City of Winter Garden, asking for future action on Lake Apopka if Kirk becomes governor. Cameron writes that Kirk has personally read Sinclair's letter, and has included Lake Apopka restoration within his conservation program. Claude Roy Kirk, Jr. was elected governor in 1966, and formed the Florida Department of Environmental Protection during his time as governor.
Original typewritten letter from Sally Cameron to Arthur W. Sinclair, July 25, 1966: binder 1966, Friends of Lake Apopka Archives, Ginn Museum, Oakland Nature Preserve, Oakland, Florida.
Kirk for Governor State Headquarters, Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Letter from Arthur W. Sinclair to Claude Roy Kirk, Jr. (July 13, 1966)
A letter from Arthur W. Sinclair, Executive Secretary-Manager of the Winter Garden Chamber of Commerce, to Claude Roy Kirk, Jr., the 1966 Republican candidate for Governor of Florida. The letter describes Lake Apopka's current polluted state and its past as a prominent sportsfishing destination, and urges Kirk to take action on restoring the lake if he is elected governor. Kirk was elected as governor that same year, and formed the Florida Department of Environmental Protection during his time as governor.
Original 2-page typewritten letter from Arthur W. Sinclair to Claude Roy Kirk, Jr., July 13, 1966: binder 1966, Friends of Lake Apopka Archives, Ginn Museum, Oakland Nature Preserve, Oakland, Florida.
San Juan de Ulloa Hotel, Orlando, Florida
Letter from Oland J. Kershaw to Arthur W. Sinclair (May 23, 1966)
A letter from Oland J. Kershaw, chairman of the Indian River Shellfish Association, to Arthur W. Sinclair, Executive Secretary-Manager of the Winter Garden Chamber of Commerce. Kershaw writes in response to a letter by Sinclair published in The Sentinel calling for action on water pollution. Kershaw tells Sinclair of his organization and their goals, and that they hope to work with Sinclair and other anti-pollution groups to rally citizen support for environmental restoration.
Original typewritten letter from Oland J. Kershaw to Arthur W. Sinclair, May 23, 1966: binder 1966, Friends of Lake Apopka Archives, Ginn Museum, Oakland Nature Preserve, Oakland, Florida.
Memorandum from Felix Salvador to Advisory Committee and County Commissioners (September 2, 1966)
A memorandum from Felix Salvador, Chairman of the St. Johns River Advisory Committee, to Committee members and county commissioners of counties bordering the river. The St. Johns River Advisory Committee was formed under Governor C. Farris Bryant (1914-2002), and reactivated under Governor W. Haydon Burns (1912-1987), with the task of advising state and local agencies on aquatic pollution within the river. In this memo, Salvador stresses the need for an agency that is able to build and oversee sewage treatment plants above the city level. He also urges that a state agency be formed with the task of controlling pollution, thus allowing the state to qualify for Federal grant money.
Photocopy of original memorandum from Felix Salvador to Advisory Committee and County Commissioners, September 2, 1966: binder 1966, Friends of Lake Apopka Archives, Ginn Museum, Oakland Nature Preserve, Oakland, Florida.
A press release from the Florida Game and Freshwater Fish Commission announcing plans to perform a seining operation in Lake Griffin in Lake County, Florida, as a follow-up to evaluate earlier rough removal programs. Gizzard shad are the main target of rough fish removal programs. Shad removal improves water quality through the removal of nutrients, which promote excessive algae growth. It may also improve quality by reducing water turbidity and preventing sediment suspension.
Original press release: binder 1966, Friends of Lake Apopka Archives, Ginn Museum, Oakland Nature Preserve, Oakland, Florida.
The March 1966 edition of F.I.S.H. Tales, a newsletter for the Florida Inland Sportsfishing Hosts. The newsletter covers various topics regarding Central Florida fisheries. Topics discussed include a new fish hatchery, seining programs in Lake Tsala Apopka and Lake Dora, and catch limits for panfish. There is also discussion of pollution problems in Lake Apopka, and Governor W. Haydon Burns' (1912-1987) pledge to find a solution. Also mentioned in this bulletin is the current presence of bass in Lake Apopka, as evidenced by Don McAllister's fishing show, Going Fishing.
Photocopied four-page newsletter: F.I.S.H. Tales, March 1966: binder 1966, Friends of Lake Apopka Archives, Ginn Museum, Oakland Nature Preserve, Oakland, Florida.
Lake Apopka, Florida Lake Francis, Apopka, Florida
Letter from Edward A. Zagar to Arthur W. Sinclair (December 22, 1966)
A letter from Edward A. Zagar, a fisheries biologist for the Florida Game and Fresh Water Commission, to Arthur W. Sinclair, from the Winter Garden Chamber of Commerce. In the letter, Zagar discusses the seine survey program for Lake Apopka and for Lake Griffin in Lake County, Florida.
Original typewritten letter from Edward A. Zagar to Arthur W. Sinclair, December 22, 1966: binder 1966, Friends of Lake Apopka Archives, Ginn Museum, Oakland Nature Preserve, Oakland, Florida.
Letter from Arthur W. Sinclair to the Hyacinth Control Society, Inc. (November 16, 1967)
A letter from Arthur W. Sinclair, executive manager of the Winter Garden Chamber of Commerce, to the Hyacinth Control Society, Inc., requesting information on herbicides to be used on hyacinth and other aquatic plants along the shores of Lake Apopka in Winter Garden, Florida. The water hyacinth is an invasive species, introduced to America in 1884, that quickly overwhelms native life in freshwater lakes.
Photocopy of original typewritten letter from Arthur W. Sinclair to the Hyacinth Control Society, Inc., November 16, 1967: binder 1967, Friends of Lake Apopka Archives, Ginn Museum, Oakland Nature Preserve, Oakland, Florida.
Letter from O. E. Frye, Jr. to Arthur W. Sinclair (February 9, 1967)
A letter from O. E. Frye, Jr., director of the Florida Game and Freshwater Fish Commission, to Arthur W. Sinclair, executive manager of the Winter Garden Chamber of Commerce, in response to Sinclair's questions about seining viability in Lake Apopka. Frye states that the seining experiments in Lake Griffin are not yet complete, and that in general, seining alone will not be sufficient to restore Lake Apopka. Frye stresses the need for a concerted effort between government agencies to begin restoring the lake.
Original 2-page typewritten letter from O. E. Frye, Jr. to Arthur W. Sinclair, February 9, 1967: binder 1967, Friends of Lake Apopka Archives, Ginn Museum, Oakland Nature Preserve, Oakland, Florida.
Letter from Harold L. Moody to J. W. Woods (April 24, 1967)
A letter from Harold L. Moody, fisheries biologist with the Florida Game and Freshwater Fish Commission, to J. W. Woods, Chief of Fisheries for the commission. The letter describes a fish kill first observed on April 23, 1967, by Dewey Smith, and later investigated by Moody. In the letter, Moody reports a large kill of mostly shad and catfish, with citrus processing waste present in the surrounding water.
Photocopy of original 1-page typewritten letter from Harold L. Moody to J. W. Woods, April 24, 1967: binder 1967, Friends of Lake Apopka Archives, Ginn Museum, Oakland Nature Preserve, Oakland, Florida.
Letter from Harold L. Moody to J. W. Woods (June 6, 1967)
A letter from Harold L. Moody, fisheries biologist with the Florida Game and Freshwater Fish Commission, to J. W. Woods, Chief of Fisheries for the commission. The letter describes a fish kill observed on June 3, 1967. Moody was informed of the kill by Dewey Smith. The kill area was located on the north shore, in the canal separating the muck farms from the lake. Moody also notes that several fishermen observed planes spraying pesticide over the lake immediately before the fish kill. Moody reports that his lab has decided to collect water samples from the areas of future fish kills, as well as affidavits from witnesses to the kill.
Photocopy of original 1-page typewritten letter from Harold L. Moody to J. W. Woods, June 6, 1967: binder 1967, Friends of Lake Apopka Archives, Ginn Museum, Oakland Nature Preserve, Oakland, Florida.
Letter from Arthur W. Sinclair to C. W. Sheffield (December 22, 1967)
A letter from Arthur W. Sinclair, executive manager of the Winter Garden Chamber of Commerce, to C. W. Sheffield, chairman of the Technical Committee. The committee was formed by Florida Governor Claude R. Kirk, Jr. (1926-2011) to develop plans for the restoration of Lake Apopka. In this letter, Sinclair discusses plans for the possible creation of a recreational park in the Gourd Neck Springs area, at the southwest corner of Lake Apopka. Gourd Neck Springs contains the only natural spring in the lake. Sinclair tells Sheffield of earlier efforts by the Gourd Neck Springs Park Association to rally support for the creation of a state park. Sinclair closes the letter by urging Sheffield to pass along these plans to Governor Kirk.
Original 2-page typewritten letter from Arthur W. Sinclair to C. W. Sheffield, December 22, 1967: binder 1967, Friends of Lake Apopka Archives, Ginn Museum, Oakland Nature Preserve, Oakland, Florida.
Rotarians Hear Report on Four-Rivers Basin: Engineer Discusses Lake Apopka
A newspaper article from The Winter Garden Times describing remarks made by Dale Twachtmann to the Winter Garden Rotary Club. At the meeting, Twachtmann, an engineer, discussed the various sources of pollution entering Lake Apopka. Twachtmann also described future engineering efforts for Lake Apopka and the surrounding area, including plans to raise the water level of the lake by a foot, as well as the dikes surrounding the muck farms will be enlarged to six feet above the water line.
Photocopy of original newspaper article: "Rotarians Hear Report on Four-Rivers Basin: Engineer Discusses Lake Apopka." The Winter Garden Times, May 11, 1967: binder 1967, Friends of Lake Apopka Archives, Ginn Museum, Oakland Nature Preserve, Oakland, Florida.
Even Shad are Dying Says Authority: Federal Evaluation Sought On Lake Apopka
A newspaper article discussing an invitation extended by Lake County water authorities to Clarence Carswell, director of the National Marine Water Quality Laboratories, to visit Lake Apopka in Florida. The invitation is motivated by the frequent fish kills, described by Dr. Lackey in his letter to Carswell as so severe "even the shad die." According to the article, Dr. Lackey also claims that they are unable to determine which specific pesticides are being discharged into the lake via aerial spraying.
Photocopy of newspaper article: "Even Shad are Dying Says Authority: Federal Evaluation Sought On Lake Apopka." May 7, 1967: binder 1967, Friends of Lake Apopka Archives, Ginn Museum, Oakland Nature Preserve, Oakland, Florida.
Letter from John W. Woods to Harold L. Moody (June 23, 1967)
A letter from John W. Woods, chief of Fisheries Division of Florida Game and Freshwater Fish Commission, to Harold L. Moody, a fisheries biologist with the commission. The letter is in reference to an earlier a letter from Moody discussing aerial spraying of pesticides into Lake Apopka on June 3. In that letter, Moody mentions collecting affidavits from witnesses to the spraying. In this letter, Woods requests an update on Moody's search for witnesses to the spraying, as the Florida Department of Agriculture has agreed to pursue action against the pilots involved.
Photocopy of original 1-page typewritten letter from John W. Woods to Harold L. Moody, June 23, 1967: binder 1967, Friends of Lake Apopka Archives, Ginn Museum, Oakland Nature Preserve, Oakland, Florida.
Lake Apopka Restoration Project Weekly Report (January 1 to 5, 1968)
A weekly report of the Lake Apopka Technical Committee, chaired by C. W. Sheffield. The committee was an initiative by Governor Florida Governor Claude R. Kirk, Jr. (1926-2011) to investigate pollution and possible restoration of Lake Apopka, launched in 1967. This report discusses the completion of an experimental algae pond at the Pine Hills Sewage Treatment Plant in Pine Hills, an African-American community in Orlando. This pond would study nutrient removal of wastewater. The report also discusses continuations of the echo sounding project, which sought to accurately map Lake Apopka's bottom, as well as basic maintenance of the fish cribs. Finally, the report notes an upcoming public hearing.
Original 1-page typewritten report by C. W. Sheffield by C. W. Sheffield, January 5, 1968: binder 1968, Friends of Lake Apopka Archives, Ginn Museum, Oakland Nature Preserve, Oakland, Florida.
Lake Apopka Restoration Project Weekly Report (January 29 to February 16, 1968)
A weekly report of the Lake Apopka Technical Committee, chaired by C. W. Sheffield. The committee was an initiative by Governor Florida Governor Claude R. Kirk, Jr. (1926-2011) to investigate pollution and possible restoration of Lake Apopka, launched in 1967. This reports mentions a review of the Gourd Neck Springs Area, a potential algae removal study with the Biospheric Research Company, grant applications through the Federal Water Pollution Control Administration (FWPCA); meetings between the chairman Nathaniel Reed, in preparation for a future visit by the governor to the lake; and a meeting with the Governor's Aquatic Research & Development Committee for a review of a statewide program to remove aquatic weeds.
Original 2-page typewritten report by C. W. Sheffield, February 16, 1968: binder 1968, Friends of Lake Apopka Archives, Ginn Museum, Oakland Nature Preserve, Oakland, Florida.
Lake Apopka Restoration Project Weekly Report (March 11 to 15, 1968)
A weekly report of the Lake Apopka Technical Committee, chaired by C. W. Sheffield. The committee was an initiative by Governor Florida Governor Claude R. Kirk, Jr. (1926-2011) to investigate pollution and possible restoration of Lake Apopka, launched in 1967. This report discusses a review of the committee's research projects by the chairman and John R. Thoman of the Federal Water Pollution Control Administration (FWPCA). The report also discusses a meeting held between the committee members and the north shore farming interests. At this meeting, the committee requested the farms hire an engineering firm to serve as their representative, as well as discussing calculations for the size of a potential dike isolating the farms from the lake. Finally, the report notes the chairman's invitation to examine an aquatic weed pressing machine developed by a Mr. Hiller, of Oakland, California.
Original 2-page typewritten report by C. W. Sheffield, March 15, 1968: binder 1968, Friends of Lake Apopka Archives, Ginn Museum, Oakland Nature Preserve, Oakland, Florida.
Lake Apopka Restoration Project Weekly Report (March 18 to 22, 1968)
A weekly report of the Lake Apopka Technical Committee, chaired by C. W. Sheffield. The committee was an initiative by Governor Florida Governor Claude R. Kirk, Jr. (1926-2011) to investigate pollution and possible restoration of Lake Apopka, launched in 1967. This report discusses meetings between Chairman Sheffield and Professor Thomas Furman, discussing experimental nutrient removal facilities and future research projects; a meeting with Dr. Robert O'Brien of Rollins College, discussing aquatic weed growth, in hopes of finding a potential candidate for lake-bottom plantings; requests sent to various state and federal organizations seeking suggestions for projects to be carried out that summer; a meeting with K. K. Huffstutler to discuss potential levee sizes for an isolation dike to separate the muck farms from the lake; a demonstration of a hyacinth processing machine made by the Hiller Company, at which Governor Kirk and various committee members were present; and plans for a future flyover of the lake by the Governor.
Photocopied 3-page typewritten report by C. W. Sheffield, March 22, 1968: binder 1968, Friends of Lake Apopka Archives, Ginn Museum, Oakland Nature Preserve, Oakland, Florida.
Lake Apopka Restoration Project Weekly Report (March 25 to 30, 1968)
A weekly report of the Lake Apopka Technical Committee, chaired by C. W. Sheffield. The committee was an initiative by Governor Florida Governor Claude R. Kirk, Jr. (1926-2011) to investigate pollution and possible restoration of Lake Apopka, launched in 1967. This report states that the flyover of Lake Apopka, mentioned in the previous week's report, was cancelled. The chairman attended a meeting on aquatic weeds in Winter Park. The report also discusses a fish kill observed in the Apopka-Beauclair Canal on March 30, 1968.
Photocopied 2-page typewritten report by C. W. Sheffield, March 30, 1968: binder 1968, Friends of Lake Apopka Archives, Ginn Museum, Oakland Nature Preserve, Oakland, Florida.
Lake Apopka Restoration Project Weekly Report (April 22 to 26, 1968)
A weekly report of the Lake Apopka Technical Committee, chaired by C. W. Sheffield. The committee was an initiative by Governor Florida Governor Claude R. Kirk, Jr. (1926-2011) to investigate pollution and possible restoration of Lake Apopka, launched in 1967. This report discusses a meeting between the chairman and the Kissimmee Rotary Club to discuss the Lake Apopka project; a review of the project by Hugh Putnam, an engineering consultant hired by the Zellwood Drainage District to represent the farming interests; plans to construct nutrient removal plants at various of the Zellwood District's pumping stations; plans to meet with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (CoE) to discuss the proposed isolation levee; fixing of the High Volume Air Sampler; a review of the project by Earl Kelly, an agricultural agent from Lake County; and plans to hold a committee meeting on May 1, 1968.
Original 2-page typewritten report by C. W. Sheffield, April 26, 1968: binder 1968, Friends of Lake Apopka Archives, Ginn Museum, Oakland Nature Preserve, Oakland, Florida.
Lake Apopka Restoration Project Weekly Report (April 29 to May 3, 1968)
A weekly report of the Lake Apopka Technical Committee, chaired by C. W. Sheffield. The committee was an initiative by Governor Florida Governor Claude R. Kirk, Jr. (1926-2011) to investigate pollution and possible restoration of Lake Apopka, launched in 1967. This report discusses a subcommittee meeting to examine levee sizes for a potential isolation pond; a review of the project by Orange County Commissioner Paul E. Pickett, after which it was decided the project would be officially sanctioned by the Florida Air and Water Pollution Control Commission, giving the Lake Apopka Restoration Project a permanent status; general review of the committee's research projects; and plans for a meeting with the Federal Air and Water Pollution Control Commission on May 3, 1968.
Original 2-page typewritten report by C. W. Sheffield, May 3, 1968: binder 1968, Friends of Lake Apopka Archives, Ginn Museum, Oakland Nature Preserve, Oakland, Florida.
Lake Apopka Restoration Project Weekly Report (May 6 to 10, 1968)
A weekly report of the Lake Apopka Technical Committee, chaired by C. W. Sheffield. The committee was an initiative by Governor Florida Governor Claude R. Kirk, Jr. (1926-2011) to investigate pollution and possible restoration of Lake Apopka, launched in 1967. This report discusses plans to speak to the Leesburg Chamber of Commerce; discussion of the Florida Air and Water Pollution Control Commission meeting on May 7, 1968; plans to hold a complete review of the project with the Federal Air and Water Pollution Control Commission on June 13; routine sampling of fish populations for pesticide analysis; notes on the Purdue Industrial Waste Conference; discussion of nutrient removal using aluminum compounds, and a committee project investigating this at Turkey Lake; and discussion of a pesticide sampling program with Dr. John Eye, and plans to retain his services for assistance with the project.
Original 2-page typewritten report by C. W. Sheffield, May 10, 1968: binder 1968, Friends of Lake Apopka Archives, Ginn Museum, Oakland Nature Preserve, Oakland, Florida.
Lake Apopka Restoration Project Weekly Report (May 13 to 17, 1968)
A weekly report of the Lake Apopka Technical Committee, chaired by C. W. Sheffield. The committee was an initiative by Governor Florida Governor Claude R. Kirk, Jr. (1926-2011) to investigate pollution and possible restoration of Lake Apopka, launched in 1967. This report discusses a report by Gordon Folke of the Florida State Board of Health (FSBH) about the location of sewage treatment outfalls in the Ocklawaha Chain of Lakes, an agreement by the Florida Engineering Society to co-sponsor a conference on nutrient removal in Florida lakes, and report of a fish kill in the perimeter canal on the north shore of the lake.
Original 1-page typewritten report by C. W. Sheffield, May 17, 1968: binder 1968, Friends of Lake Apopka Archives, Ginn Museum, Oakland Nature Preserve, Oakland, Florida.
Lake Apopka Restoration Project Weekly Report (June 17 to 21, 1968)
A weekly report of the Lake Apopka Technical Committee, chaired by C. W. Sheffield. The committee was an initiative by Governor Florida Governor Claude R. Kirk, Jr. (1926-2011) to investigate pollution and possible restoration of Lake Apopka, launched in 1967. This report lists the various research projects being undertaken by the committee during the summer of 1968. This research includes nutrient leaching from citrus groves, nutrients in rainwater, updated biological sampling, silt-drying techniques, construction of a nutrient removal pilot plant on the North Shore farmlands, flocculation and aeration of silt, aquatic plants, dredging, and expanded sampling of farm discharge. These projects are being constructed with the help of students from various colleges. Additionally, the report discusses the attendance by the chairman of the Hyacinth Control Society's annual meeting.
Original 2-page typewritten report by C. W. Sheffield, June 21, 1968: binder 1968, Friends of Lake Apopka Archives, Ginn Museum, Oakland Nature Preserve, Oakland, Florida.
Lake Apopka Restoration Project Weekly Report (June 24 to 28, 1968)
A weekly report of the Lake Apopka Technical Committee, chaired by C. W. Sheffield. The committee was an initiative by Governor Florida Governor Claude R. Kirk, Jr. (1926-2011) to investigate pollution and possible restoration of Lake Apopka, launched in 1967. This report discusses the selection of a site for the pilot nutrient removal project on the Zellwood farmlands. The site chosen was on the Clounts farm, near Hooper Farms Road. The report further discusses the construction of this site. Additionally, the report discusses the rejection of a proposed budget by the Florida Air and Water Pollution Control Commission, which felt it was unable to provide the financial assistance requested. The report also discusses a review of aquatic weed research being conducted in Lake Virginia, to study hydrilla. Finally, the report discusses a meeting held to discuss a proposed comprehensive basin grant from the Federal Water Pollution Control Administration (FWPCA). The East Central Florida Regional Planning Council agreed to apply for this grant.
Photocopy of original 2-page typewritten report by C. W. Sheffield, June 28, 1968: binder 1968, Friends of Lake Apopka Archives, Ginn Museum, Oakland Nature Preserve, Oakland, Florida.
Lake Apopka Restoration Project Weekly Report (July 15 to 19, 1968)
A weekly report of the Lake Apopka Technical Committee, chaired by C. W. Sheffield. The committee was an initiative by Governor Florida Governor Claude R. Kirk, Jr. (1926-2011) to investigate pollution and possible restoration of Lake Apopka, launched in 1967. This report discusses a review of the committee's aquatic weed research program with Dr. Robert O'Brien; a review of the University of Florida's Hyacinth Nutrient Removal Program, as well as discussion of a proposed Lakes and Streams Pollution Conference to be held at UF; and discussion of the various research projects being undertaken by the committee, including the silt drying experiments.
Photocopy of original 1-page typewritten report by C. W. Sheffield, July 19, 1968: binder 1968, Friends of Lake Apopka Archives, Ginn Museum, Oakland Nature Preserve, Oakland, Florida.
University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida
Lake Apopka Restoration Project Weekly Report (August 26 to 30, 1968)
A weekly report of the Lake Apopka Technical Committee, chaired by C. W. Sheffield. The committee was an initiative by Governor Florida Governor Claude R. Kirk, Jr. (1926-2011) to investigate pollution and possible restoration of Lake Apopka, launched in 1967. This report discusses arrangements for a committee meeting planned for September 4, 1968. Additionally, the report notes the completion of the muck farm nutrient removal pilot project. Samples were obtained from the project, which consisted of alternating hyacinth and algae ponds, each with a 2 and a half day retention time. The data from this project will be used for a grant application from the Federal Water Pollution Control Administration (FWPCA). Finally, the various other research projects continued as scheduled.
Photocopy of original 1-page typewritten report by C. W. Sheffield, August 30, 1968: binder 1968, Friends of Lake Apopka Archives, Ginn Museum, Oakland Nature Preserve, Oakland, Florida.
A document outlining the conclusions from meeting of the Lake Apopka Technical Committee, held in Leesburg, Florida, circa June 1968. The committee was formed by Florida Governor Claude R. Kirk, Jr. (1926-2011) in 1967 to study and implement a restoration plan for Lake Apopka. C. W. Sheffield served as chairman of the committee. This committee meeting was held as a review of the project. This document thus examines the works completed by the committee as of June 1968. Additionally, it identifies outside projects related to the committee's goals of restoration, such as plans for nutrient removal systems by the Winter Garden Citrus Cooperative. This document also lists recommendations for the committee going forward, both general and specific.
Photocopy of original 5-page typewritten document, 1968: binder 1968, Friends of Lake Apopka Archives, Ginn Museum, Oakland Nature Preserve, Oakland, Florida.
Memorandum from the Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission to the Florida Air and Water Pollution Control Commission (June 13, 1968)
A memorandum from the Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission to the Florida Air and Water Pollution Control Commission. This memo discusses the history of pollution in the lakes at the headwaters of the Ocklawaha River basin, specifically Lake Dora, Lake Eustis, Lake Harris, Little Lake Harris, Lake Griffin, and Lake Apopka. The memo identifies the three sources of pollution into these lakes as citrus processing, sewage treatment outfall, and farm waste discharge. The memo outlines the monetary values of the sportfishing and commercial fishing industry on the lakes, as well as detailing the historical change in the makeup of fish populations. The memo also explores the increase in fish kill frequency in these lakes, before ending with a request to the commission for an increase in outreach efforts regarding water pollution.
Photocopy of original 4-page typewritten memorandum from the Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission to the Florida Air and Water Pollution Control Commission, June 13, 1968: binder 1968, Friends of Lake Apopka Archives, Ginn Museum, Oakland Nature Preserve, Oakland, Florida.
A newspaper article from Florida Magazine, republished by The Orlando Sentinel, discussing the restoration efforts for Lake Apopka. The article summarizes the past history of the lake as a sportfishing center and then discusses the fish kills of the 1960s. The article identifies the sources of pollution entering the lake as the citrus industry, sewage processing, farm discharge, septic drainfields, and natural sources entering through Gourd Neck Springs. The article then details the efforts to restore the lake by the Lake Apopka Technical Committee, formed by Governor Claude R. Kirk, Jr. (1926-2011), with C. W. Sheffield serving as chairman. Of note here is the article's summarization of the committee's restoration projects: improved treatment of sewage and citrus discharge, reducing nutrient inflow, isolation of the muck farms and treatment of farm discharge, isolation of the Gourd Neck Springs area to provide a basin to be used in mud consolidation experiments, improvement of fish habits in the lake through fish cribs and other methods, a lake drawdown to help consolidate the bottom mud, and creation of a shoreline buffer zone using trees and other vegetation.
Photocopy of republished magazine article: Rider, Don. "Rx for Lake Apopka." The Orlando Sentinel, January 21, 1968: binder 1968, Friends of Lake Apopka Archives, Ginn Museum, Oakland Nature Preserve, Oakland, Florida.
Florida Magazine
The Orlando Sentinel
Water Management Bulletin, Vol. 1, No. 2 (December 1967-January 1968)
The December 1967 through January 1968 edition of the Water Management Bulletin, which was a publication of the Central and Southern Florida Flood Control District. The district was formed by the Florida Legislature in 1949 to manage the Central and Southern Florida Project, a program created by the U.S. Congress as part of the Flood Control Act (FCA) of 1948). The project had several purposes related to water management: flood control, water conservation, and supply for agricultural and urban use, recreation, navigation, and prevention of saltwater intrusion. To accomplish these goals, the project constructed levees, dikes, and canals throughout Central and South Florida. In 1972, the Florida Water Resources Act divided the state into five water management districts and the Flood Control District became the South Florida Water Management District. Issues discussed in this bulletin include: initiation of the first urban water usage study within the district; hearings held by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (CoE) to discuss a proposed Water Resources Plan; the adoption of an alligator mascot by the district; the creation of a traveling steamboat display for educational purposes; a synopsis of the proposed Water Resources Plan; a statement from Robert Padrick, chairman of the district, to the CoE; plans to beautify pumping stations; plans to expand recreational boating canals; plans to clean existing dikes; a resolution seeking protection for alligators; and the observation of an increased number of Everglades kites. The bulletin also contains maps of the district and its constructed and proposed canals and levees.
Original 12-page newsletter: Water Management Bulletin, Vol. 1, No. 2, December 1967: binder 1968, Friends of Lake Apopka Archives, Ginn Museum, Oakland Nature Preserve, Oakland, Florida.
Central and Southern Florida Flood Control District
Agreement to Establish the Oklawaha River Basin Improvement Council
An agreement to establish the Oklawaha River Basin Improvement Council, formed from a proposal by U.S. Representatives Lou Frey, Jr. (b. 1934), Don Fuqua (b. 1933), and William V. Chappell, Jr. (1922-1989). The agreement outlines the environmental issues facing the Ocklawaha River Basin and details the organization of the council, its goals, powers, and funding. The Oklawaha River Basin Improvement Council was formed on April 21, 1972, consisting of members representing Orange County, Lake County, Marion County, and Putnam County, as well as representatives of state agencies, such as the Florida Department of Air and Water Pollution Control. The council was formed to coordinate planning of environmental restoration at a regional level under the Florida Inter-Local Cooperation Act of 1969, which allowed city, county, and state agencies to coordinate with each other on mutually beneficial projects. The council’s primary project was a proposed drawdown of Lake Apopka, which was heavily polluted due to agricultural and sewage run-off by the 1970s. The drawdown would entail completely or mostly draining the lake, discharging the water downstream into the lakes and rivers that constitute the Ocklawaha River Basin, allowing Lake Apopka’s bottom sediments to consolidate, in the hope that this would improve Lake Apopka’s water quality. The council applied for several federal grants seeking funding for this project.
Photocopy of 3-page typewritten agreement: binder 1972, Friends of Lake Apopka Archives, Ginn Museum, Oakland Nature Preserve, Oakland, Florida.
A newspaper article discussing the approval of a restoration plan for Lake Apopka by the Florida Department of Pollution Control (DPC). The plan was to use grant money from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to implement a drawdown of Lake Apopka and allow bottom sediment to consolidate. The project was to be controlled locally by the newly formed Oklawaha River Basin Improvement Council, which was established earlier that year. The Oklawaha River Basin Improvement Council was formed on April 21, 1972, consisting of members representing Orange County, Lake County, Marion County, and Putnam County, as well as representatives of state agencies, such as the Florida Department of Air and Water Pollution Control. The council was formed to coordinate planning of environmental restoration at a regional level under the Florida Inter-Local Cooperation Act of 1969, which allowed city, county, and state agencies to coordinate with each other on mutually beneficial projects. The council’s primary project was a proposed drawdown of Lake Apopka, which was heavily polluted due to agricultural and sewage run-off by the 1970s. The drawdown would entail completely or mostly draining the lake, discharging the water downstream into the lakes and rivers that constitute the Ocklawaha River Basin, allowing Lake Apopka’s bottom sediments to consolidate, in the hope that this would improve Lake Apopka’s water quality. The council applied for several federal grants seeking funding for this project.
Photocopy of original newspaper article: "Apopka Restoration Plan Revealed." The Palatka Daily News, October 15, 1972: binder 1972, Friends of Lake Apopka Archives, Ginn Museum, Oakland Nature Preserve, Oakland, Florida.
The Palatka Daily News
Florida From the House...To Your Home Newsletter, March 1972
The Florida From the House...To Your Home newsletter mailed to citizens of the 5th Congressional District of Florida, represented by U.S. Representative Louis Frey, Jr. (1934-2019), who served in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1969 to 1979. Rep. Frey was on several committees during his time in office, including the Select Committee on Narcotics Abuse and Control and the Science and Technology Committee. He was also the chairman of the Young Republicans of Florida. The newsletter also discusses President Richard Nixon's (1913-1994) Temporary Wage and Price Controls of 1971, the U.S. economy in general, as well as the federal budget and campaign reform. The newsletter also states Rep. Frey's concerns over the condition of Lake Apopka, and his efforts with Reps. Don Fuqua (b. 1933) and William V. Chappell, Jr. (1922-1989) to form the Ocklawaha Basin Improvement Council, an organization that would tackle the lake's pollution problems on a regional level. Additionally, the newsletter describes efforts to improvement employment in the aerospace industry in Florida, as well as describing the issues facing attempts to fight drug trafficking in Mexico during the War on Drugs.
Photocopy of 2-page typed newsletter: Florida From the House...To Your Home, March 1972: binder 1972, Friends of Lake Apopka Archives, Ginn Museum, Oakland Nature Preserve, Oakland, Florida.
Letter from Harold L. Moody to Lawrence E. Jerome (March 13, 1972)
A letter from Harold L. Moody, fisheries biologist for the Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission, to Lawrence E. Jerome. The letter gives a detailed analysis of the history of pollution in Lake Apopka, the development of the Zellwood Drainage District muck farms, and the management of Lake Apopka's water level. Lake Apopka is one of Florida’s largest lakes and was once considered to be one of the world’s best lakes for bass fishing. The lake’s sport fish population began to decline in the 1960s, with major die-offs occurring almost yearly. The lake’s problems are generally considered to be the result of over-nutrification from various sources. Twenty thousand acres of wetlands bordering the lake’s north shore were drained in the 1940s and used for highly fertile “muck farms.” These farms were routinely flooded to protect the fragile soil, and the fertilizer and pesticide-laden water was then discharged back into the lake prior to each growing season. Other sources of pollution include discharge from citrus processing operations, as well as treated wastewater from sewage plants. The nutrient-rich discharge promoted algae growth in the lake, turning the water to a green color, and blocked sunlight from reaching aquatic vegetation, which provided food and habit to the lake’s fish population. The lake’s bottom soil became increasingly “mucky,” also disrupting aquatic vegetation from taking root. Restoration work on the lake began in the 1960s with attempts by various agencies to remove “trash fish,” such as gizzard shad, from the lake via seining, which would hopefully allow the lake’s sport fish to thrive. The Lake Apopka Restoration Council, an initiative formed under Governor Claude Kirk (1926-2011) in 1967, launched several studies to find methods to improve the lake, though no serious action was taken. Various methods were debated to restore the lake through the 1970s and 1980s, including “drawdown,” which entailed completely draining the lake to allow the mucky bottom to consolidate. Restoration attempts were stalled for lack of funding and research. The Lake Apopka Restoration Council was reformed in 1985 under Governor Bob Graham (b. 1936), and, in 1987, the Surface Water and Improvement Management Act was passed. Together, these actions allowed comprehensive restoration plans to take shape, such as the Marsh Flow-way, a project by the St John’s Water Management District that uses natural methods to remove nutrients from the lake. The Friends of Lake Apopka, a citizen environmental advocacy group, began to push for further restoration efforts in the 1990s. The lake’s north shore muck farms were eventually purchased by the State of Florida, helping to reduce the amount of nutrient entering the lake.
Photocopy of 5-page typewritten letter from Harold L. Moody to Lawrence E. Jerome, March 13, 1972: binder 1972, Friends of Lake Apopka Archives, Ginn Museum, Oakland Nature Preserve, Oakland, Florida.
Fisheries Research Laboratory, Florida Game and Fresh Water Commission, Eustis, Florida
Home of Lawrence E. Jerome, Santa Clara, California
Rural Clean-Up Failures: Deterioration of Lake Apopka Attributed to Introduction of 'Excessive Enrichments'
A newspaper article written by O. E. Frye, Jr., who was the director of the Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission. In the article, Frye discusses the deterioration of Lake Apopka and attributes this to eutrophication, occurring from nutrients entering the lake from various sources such as agricultural run-off and sewage waste. The article also discusses a die-off of alligators, fish, and turtles in 1971. Specimens were sent to University of Georgia School of Veterinary Medicine, and the cause of death was found to be aeromonas liquefaciens, a pathogenic bacteria. Lake Apopka is one of Florida’s largest lakes and was once considered to be one of the world’s best lakes for bass fishing. The lake’s sport fish population began to decline in the 1960s, with major die-offs occurring almost yearly. The lake’s problems are generally considered to be the result of over-nutrification from various sources. Twenty thousand acres of wetlands bordering the lake’s north shore were drained in the 1940s and used for highly fertile “muck farms.” These farms were routinely flooded to protect the fragile soil, and the fertilizer and pesticide-laden water was then discharged back into the lake prior to each growing season. Other sources of pollution include discharge from citrus processing operations, as well as treated wastewater from sewage plants. The nutrient-rich discharge promoted algae growth in the lake, turning the water to a green color, and blocked sunlight from reaching aquatic vegetation, which provided food and habit to the lake’s fish population. The lake’s bottom soil became increasingly “mucky,” also disrupting aquatic vegetation from taking root. Restoration work on the lake began in the 1960s with attempts by various agencies to remove “trash fish,” such as gizzard shad, from the lake via seining, which would hopefully allow the lake’s sport fish to thrive. The Lake Apopka Restoration Council, an initiative formed under Governor Claude Kirk (1926-2011) in 1967, launched several studies to find methods to improve the lake, though no serious action was taken. Various methods were debated to restore the lake through the 1970s and 1980s, including “drawdown,” which entailed completely draining the lake to allow the mucky bottom to consolidate. Restoration attempts were stalled for lack of funding and research. The Lake Apopka Restoration Council was reformed in 1985 under Governor Bob Graham (b. 1936), and, in 1987, the Surface Water and Improvement Management Act was passed. Together, these actions allowed comprehensive restoration plans to take shape, such as the Marsh Flow-way, a project by the St John’s Water Management District that uses natural methods to remove nutrients from the lake. The Friends of Lake Apopka, a citizen environmental advocacy group, began to push for further restoration efforts in the 1990s. The lake’s north shore muck farms were eventually purchased by the State of Florida, helping to reduce the amount of nutrient entering the lake.
Photocopy of original newspaper article: Frye, O. E., Jr. "Rural Clean-Up Failures: Deterioration of Lake Apopka Attributed To Introduction of Excessive Enrichments." The Palatka Daily News, February 16, 1972: binder 1972, Friends of Lake Apopka Archives, Ginn Museum, Oakland Nature Preserve, Oakland, Florida.
A newspaper article discussing a report that alleged the concealment of dredge-and-fill permit violations by the Marco Island Development Corporation in Marco Island, Florida. The report claims that these violations were concealed from the Florida Legislature prior to its approval of continued development by the land development company. According to the article, representatives of the Governor Reubin Askew (1928-2014) and the Internal Improvement Fund (IFF) denied the allegations. Hearings were scheduled by the House Natural Resources Committee to investigate the report .A couple of months after this article was published, the hearing on the Burgess report was held on July 15, 1972, and determined there was no evidence that violations of state law occurred, and that no evidence of violations was withheld by the Internal Improvement Fund. The Marco Island Development Corporation was formed in 1964 for the purpose of developing Marco Island into a residential and tourist area. This entailed dredging the island’s submerged areas, excavating sand and soil, and re-filling to create areas suitable for construction. Dredging and filling is regulated at both state and federal levels. The Internal Improvement Fund (IIF) held veto powers over dredging and filling after the passing of the Randell-Thomas Act in 1967. Construction on Marco Island thus required the IIF to approve plans and pass their recommendations to the Florida Cabinet.
Photocopy of original newspaper article: "House Slates Hearings on Marco Report." The Florida Times-Union, April 6, 1972: binder 1972, Friends of Lake Apopka Archives, Ginn Museum, Oakland Nature Preserve, Oakland, Florida.
The Florida Times-Union
Proposed Interim Agricultural Pollution Abatement Plan
A proposed plan to lessen agricultural pollution entering Lake Apopka until comprehensive guidelines were established by the State of Florida. The plan aimed at more accurately measuring water inflow and outflow to the muck farms, using gauges installed at each pump site. The pumpage data was to then be correlated with rainfall and other hydrological measures to determine an accurate water budget for the muck farms. The plan also called for a lessening of fertilizer use by the farms, and stated that implementing these steps should be the responsibility of the muck farms and the Central Florida Agricultural Institute. Lake Apopka is one of Florida’s largest lakes and was once considered to be one of the world’s best lakes for bass fishing. The lake’s sport fish population began to decline in the 1960s, with major die-offs occurring almost yearly. The lake’s problems are generally considered to be the result of over-nutrification from various sources. Twenty thousand acres of wetlands bordering the lake’s north shore were drained in the 1940s and used for highly fertile "muck farms." These farms were routinely flooded to protect the fragile soil, and the fertilizer and pesticide-laden water was then discharged back into the lake prior to each growing season. Other sources of pollution include discharge from citrus processing operations, as well as treated wastewater from sewage plants. The nutrient-rich discharge promoted algae growth in the lake, turning the water to a green color, and blocked sunlight from reaching aquatic vegetation, which provided food and habit to the lake’s fish population. The lake’s bottom soil became increasingly "mucky," also disrupting aquatic vegetation from taking root. Restoration work on the lake began in the 1960s with attempts by various agencies to remove "trash fish," such as gizzard shad, from the lake via seining, which would hopefully allow the lake’s sportfish to thrive. The Lake Apopka Restoration Council, an initiative formed under Governor Claude Kirk (1926-2011) in 1967, launched several studies to find methods to improve the lake, though no serious action was taken. Various methods were debated to restore the lake through the 1970s and 1980s, including "drawdown," which entailed completely draining the lake to allow the mucky bottom to consolidate. Restoration attempts were stalled for lack of funding and research. The Lake Apopka Restoration Council was reformed in 1985 under Governor Bob Graham (b. 1936), and, in 1987, the Surface Water and Improvement Management Act was passed. Together, these actions allowed comprehensive restoration plans to take shape, such as the Marsh Flow-way, a project by the St John’s Water Management District that uses natural methods to remove nutrients from the lake. The Friends of Lake Apopka, a citizen environmental advocacy group, began to push for further restoration efforts in the 1990s. The lake’s north shore muck farms were eventually purchased by the State of Florida, helping to reduce the amount of nutrient entering the lake.
Original 6-page typewritten abatement plan, February 2, 1972: binder 1972, Friends of Lake Apopka Archives, Ginn Museum, Oakland Nature Preserve, Oakland, Florida.
A newspaper article from FloridAgriculture, a magazine published by the Florida Farm Bureau (FFB). The bureau was formed in 1941, when Florida Citrus Growers, Inc. was reorganized as the Florida Farm Bureau, affiliated with American Farm Bureau Federation. The FFB represents Florida farmers in the Florida Legislature, studies agricultural practices, and offers insurance products for its members. This article discusses the history of Lake Apopka and its pollution, and describes research findings by Dr. Richard B. Forbes, a chemist working at the Sanford Agricultural Research and Education Center. The article also describes efforts by the Central Florida Agricultural Institute (CFAI) to stop pollution in the lake. The CFAI was a non-profit corporation formed to represent the Zellwood farmers operating on Lake Apopka's north shore and investigate potential methods to reduce pollution. The article claims that the CFAI had donated $50,000 to the Sanford Agricultural Research and Education Center and was working on reservoir systems to prevent polluted discharge water from entering the lake. Lake Apopka is one of Florida’s largest lakes and was once considered to be one of the world’s best lakes for bass fishing. The lake’s sport fish population began to decline in the 1960s, with major die-offs occurring almost yearly. The lake’s problems are generally considered to be the result of over-nutrification from various sources. Twenty thousand acres of wetlands bordering the lake’s north shore were drained in the 1940s and used for highly fertile "muck farms." These farms were routinely flooded to protect the fragile soil, and the fertilizer and pesticide-laden water was then discharged back into the lake prior to each growing season. Other sources of pollution include discharge from citrus processing operations, as well as treated wastewater from sewage plants. The nutrient-rich discharge promoted algae growth in the lake, turning the water to a green color, and blocked sunlight from reaching aquatic vegetation, which provided food and habit to the lake’s fish population. The lake’s bottom soil became increasingly “mucky,” also disrupting aquatic vegetation from taking root. Restoration work on the lake began in the 1960s with attempts by various agencies to remove “trash fish,” such as gizzard shad, from the lake via seining, which would hopefully allow the lake’s sportfish to thrive. The Lake Apopka Restoration Council, an initiative formed under Governor Claude Kirk (1926-2011) in 1967, launched several studies to find methods to improve the lake, though no serious action was taken. Various methods were debated to restore the lake through the 1970s and 1980s, including “drawdown,” which entailed completely draining the lake to allow the mucky bottom to consolidate. Restoration attempts were stalled for lack of funding and research. The Lake Apopka Restoration Council was reformed in 1985 under Governor Bob Graham (b. 1936), and, in 1987, the Surface Water and Improvement Management Act was passed. Together, these actions allowed comprehensive restoration plans to take shape, such as the Marsh Flow-way, a project by the St John’s Water Management District that uses natural methods to remove nutrients from the lake. The Friends of Lake Apopka, a citizen Environmental advocacy group, began to push for further restoration efforts in the 1990s. The lake’s north shore muck farms were eventually purchased by the State of Florida, helping to reduce the amount of nutrient entering the lake.
Photocopy of original magazine article: White, Earl. "Lake Apopka: Operation Cleanup." FloridAgriculture, May 1973: binder 1973, Friends of Lake Apopka Archives, Ginn Museum, Oakland Nature Preserve, Oakland, Florida.
FloridAgriculture
Letter from Dick J. Batchelor to Gary Sharp (December 13, 1974)
In this letter, Florida Representative Dick J. Batchelor (b. 1947) writes to Gary Sharp that he does not have the authority over purchasing the Gourd Neck Springs area, and that the decision rests with the Environmental Endangered Lands Committee. Gourd Neck Springs is a small spring located in the southwest portion of Lake Apopka, in a small cove called “Gourd Neck” due to its distinctive shape. This area of the lake was considered in the 1960s as a potential nursery for fish. The Lake Apopka Technical Committee explored damming the Gourd Neck, separating it from the lake and preventing polluted lake water from entering, but these plans did not materialize. Efforts were also made in the 1960s to have the Gourd Neck area purchased by the State of Florida for use as a public park. The Gourd Neck Springs Park Association was formed in 1961 to study the site’s potential for a park and lobby for support from legislators. The land bordering the area was privately-owned by various individuals. One of these, Gary Sharp, continued seeking support for a park into the 1970s. While the project received support from Florida legislators and environmentalists, the land was never purchased by the state.
Photocopy of original 1-page typewritten letter from Dick J. Batchelor to Gary Sharp, December 13, 1974: binder 1974, Friends of Lake Apopka Archives, Ginn Museum, Oakland Nature Preserve, Oakland, Florida.
Letter from Allen E. Arthur to Gary Sharp (December 9, 1974)
In this letter, Allen E. Arthur, member of the Orange County Board of County Commissioners, expresses his belief that a park in the Gourd Neck Springs area would aid in the restoration process for Lake Apopka. Commissioner Arthur also served as the chairman of the Lake Apopka subcommittee of the Environmental Resources Committee of the Orlando Area Chamber of Commerce. Gourd Neck Springs is a small spring located in the southwest portion of Lake Apopka, in a small cove called “Gourd Neck” due to its distinctive shape. This area of the lake was considered in the 1960s as a potential nursery for fish. The Lake Apopka Technical Committee explored damming the Gourd Neck, separating it from the lake and preventing polluted lake water from entering, but these plans did not materialize. Efforts were also made in the 1960s to have the Gourd Neck area purchased by the State of Florida for use as a public park. The Gourd Neck Springs Park Association was formed in 1961 to study the site’s potential for a park and lobby for support from legislators. The land bordering the area was privately-owned by various individuals. One of these, Gary Sharp, continued seeking support for a park into the 1970s. While the project received support from Florida legislators and environmentalists, the land was never purchased by the state.
Photocopy of original 1-page typewritten letter from Allen E. Arthur to Gary Sharp, December 13, 1974: binder 1974, Friends of Lake Apopka Archives, Ginn Museum, Oakland Nature Preserve, Oakland, Florida.
Letter from Ernest H. Cowen to Gary Sharp (December 4, 1974)
This letter, from Ernest H. Cowen, Manager of the Orlando Area Chamber of Commerce's Civic Affairs Department, to Gary Sharp, states Cowen's belief that a park in the Gourd Neck area would help attract public support for the larger project of restoring Lake Apopka and the Oklawaha River Basin, by emphasizing the area's suitability for recreational use. Cowen states that Environmental Resources Committee of the Orlando Chamber also supports this potential project. Cowen urges that the State of Florida purchase the land using funds from the Environmental Endangered Lands Program. Gourd Neck Springs is a small spring located in the southwest portion of Lake Apopka, in a small cove called “Gourd Neck” due to its distinctive shape. This area of the lake was considered in the 1960s as a potential nursery for fish. The Lake Apopka Technical Committee explored damming the Gourd Neck, separating it from the lake and preventing polluted lake water from entering, but these plans did not materialize. Efforts were also made in the 1960s to have the Gourd Neck area purchased by the State of Florida for use as a public park. The Gourd Neck Springs Park Association was formed in 1961 to study the site’s potential for a park and lobby for support from legislators. The land bordering the area was privately-owned by various individuals. One of these, Gary Sharp, continued seeking support for a park into the 1970s. While the project received support from Florida legislators and environmentalists, the land was never purchased by the state. The Environmental Endangered Lands Program (EEL) was formed in 1972 as part of the larger Land Conservation Act of 1972. The EEL program was initially funded through the sale of state bonds. The program was designed to help the state acquire lands considered Environmental sensitive and was not designed for creating areas for recreational use. Potential sites for acquisition could be suggested by citizens, county and state governments, and non-profit organizations. After evaluation for Environmental value, potential sites would be approved by the Executive Director of the Florida Department of Natural Resources and finalized by the Governor. In 1979, the former Executive Director, Harmon Shields, was indicted on corruption charges involving the lands-acquisition process. Following this scandal, the EEL program was replaced by Conservation and Recreation Lands Program. This change replaced the program's funding with tax revenues instead of bond sales, and formed the Land Acquisition Selection Committee, made up by six executive directors of Florida Environmental agencies, to select sites for approval by the governor. The Division of State Lands was also created as a division of the Department of Natural Resources to over-see mapping and evaluation of potential sites for acquisition.
Photocopy of original 1-page typewritten letter from Ernest H. Cowen to Gary Sharp, December 4, 1974: binder 1974, Friends of Lake Apopka Archives, Ginn Museum, Oakland Nature Preserve, Oakland, Florida.
Interim Lake Apopka Report (August 1974)
A report on the potential Environmental restoration of Lake Apopka for the Lake Apopka subcommittee of the Orlando Area Chamber of Commerce Environmental Resources Committee. Allen E. Arthur, member of the Orange County Board of County Commissioners, served as chairman of this subcommittee. This report summarizes the sources of pollution in Lake Apopka and gives a brief Environmental history of the area. The report identifies water quality goals for the lake, and recommends ending pollution discharge as the first step to restoring the lake. The report also discusses a possible lake drawdown as one way to help restore water quality, and notes Lake Carlton, a small lake downstream of Lake Apopka, as a possible test site for the drawdown method. The report also mentions proposals to acquire the Gourd Neck Springs area for use as a recreational park, using funds from the Environmental Endangered Lands (EEL) program, and claims that purchase of the area was turned down by the State Interagency Planning Committee on Environmental Endangered Lands. Lake Apopka is one of Florida’s largest lakes and was once considered to be one of the world’s best lakes for bass fishing, supporting a large sport fishing and tourism industry. The lake’s sport fish population began to decline in the 1960s, with major die-offs occurring almost yearly. The lake’s problems are generally considered to be the result of over-nutrification from various sources. 20,000 acres of wetlands bordering the lake’s north shore were drained in the 1940s and used for highly fertile “muck farms”. These farms were routinely flooded to protect the fragile soil; this fertilizer and pesticide laden water was then discharged back into the lake prior to each growing season. Other sources of pollution include discharge from citrus processing operations as well as treated wastewater from sewage plants. The nutrient-rich discharge promoted algae growth in the lake, turning the water to a green color, and blocked sunlight from reaching aquatic vegetation which provided food and habit to the lake’s fish population. The lake’s bottom soil became increasingly “mucky”, also disrupting aquatic vegetation from taking root. Restoration work on the lake began in the 1960s with attempts by various agencies to remove “trash fish” like gizzard shad from the lake via seining, which would hopefully allow the lake’s sportfish to thrive. The Lake Apopka Restoration Council, an initiative formed under Governor Claude Kirk in 1967, launched several studies to find methods to improve the lake, though no serious action was taken. Various methods were debated to restore the lake through the 1970s and 80s, including “drawdown”, which entailed completely draining the lake to allow the mucky bottom to consolidate. Restoration attempts were stalled for lack of funding and research. The Lake Apopka Restoration Council was reformed in 1985 under Governor Bob Graham; in 1987 the Surface Water and Improvement Management Act was passed; together these allowed comprehensive restoration plans to take shape, such as the Marsh Flow-way, a project by the St John’s Water Management District which uses natural methods to remove nutrients from the lake. The Friends of Lake Apopka, a citizen Environmental advocacy group, began to push for further restoration efforts in the 90s. The lake’s north shore muck farms were eventually purchased by the State of Florida, helping to reduce the amount of nutrient entering the lake.
Original 4-page typewritten report, August 1974: binder 1974, Friends of Lake Apopka Archives, Ginn Museum, Oakland Nature Preserve, Oakland, Florida.
Letter from James A. Glisson to Gary I. Sharp (June 25, 1975)
A letter from Florida state Senator James A. Glisson (b. 1939) to Gary I. Sharp, dated June 25, 1975. In this letter, Sen. Glisson states that he would be in favor of the State of Florida acquiring the Gourd Neck Springs area for use as a recreational park. Sen. Glison was a member of the Florida House of Representatives from 1968 to 1972, representing the 33rd district, and served in the Florida State Senate, representing the 11th district, from 1973 to 1978. Gourd Neck Springs is a small spring located in the southwest portion of Lake Apopka, in a small cove called “Gourd Neck” due to its distinctive shape. This area of the lake was considered in the 1960s as a potential nursery for fish. The Lake Apopka Technical Committee explored damming the Gourd Neck, separating it from the lake and preventing polluted lake water from entering, but these plans did not materialize. Efforts were also made in the 1960s to have the Gourd Neck area purchased by the State of Florida for use as a public park. The Gourd Neck Springs Park Association was formed in 1961 to study the site’s potential for a park and lobby for support from legislators. The land bordering the area was privately-owned by various individuals. One of these, Gary I. Sharp, continued seeking support for a park into the 1970s. While the project received support from Florida legislators and environmentalists, the land was never purchased by the state.
Photocopy of original 1-page typewritten letter from James A. Glisson to Gary I. Sharp, June 25, 1975: binder 1975, Friends of Lake Apopka Archives, Ginn Museum, Oakland Nature Preserve, Oakland, Florida.
Gourd Neck Springs, Lake Apopka, Florida
Letter from William A. Breeze to Gary I. Sharp (February 11, 1975)
A letter from William A. Breeze, president of the West Orange Chamber of Commerce, to Gary I. Sharp, dated February 11, 1975. In this letter, Breeze discusses the potential use of the Gourd Neck Springs area for a recreational park. Breeze states that the chamber, along with the Orlando Area Chamber of Commerce, co-sponsored a meeting of interested persons and state officials to discuss environmental restoration in the Ocklawaha Basin, including Lake Apopka. In this meeting, Breeze states it was agreed that the Gourd Neck Springs area should be restored for use as a park. The letter also states that due the area's current state of segmented private ownership, the land needs to be purchased by either the State of Florida or the federal government before use as a park. Gourd Neck Springs is a small spring located in the southwest portion of Lake Apopka, in a small cove called “Gourd Neck” due to its distinctive shape. This area of the lake was considered in the 1960s as a potential nursery for fish. The Lake Apopka Technical Committee explored damming the Gourd Neck, separating it from the lake and preventing polluted lake water from entering, but these plans did not materialize. Efforts were also made in the 1960s to have the Gourd Neck area purchased by the State of Florida for use as a public park. The Gourd Neck Springs Park Association was formed in 1961 to study the site’s potential for a park and lobby for support from legislators. The land bordering the area was privately-owned by various individuals. One of these, Gary I. Sharp, continued seeking support for a park into the 1970s. While the project received support from Florida legislators and environmentalists, the land was never purchased by the state.
Photocopy of original 1-page typewritten letter from William A. Breeze to Gary I. Sharp, February 11, 1975: binder 1975, Friends of Lake Apopka Archives, Ginn Museum, Oakland Nature Preserve, Oakland, Florida.
West Orange Chamber of Commerce, Winter Garden, Florida
Orlando Area Chamber of Commerce, Orlando, Florida
Letter from William J. Cappleman to Gary I. Sharp (May 16, 1975)
A letter from William J. Cappleman of the Cappleman Agency, Inc. to Gary I. Sharp, dated May 16, 1975. In this letter, Cappleman states that they have received calls from landowners in the Gourd Neck Springs area seeking to sell their plots, as well as calls from interested buyers. The letter states that there is little interest in the sale of large individual tracts of land in the Gourd Neck area, and that they are working to divide a large holding by Herbert S. Starr into smaller sized plots for purchase. The letter also states the Cappleman Agency had made appointments with interested buyers to examine Sharp's property in the Gourd Neck area. Gourd Neck Springs is a small spring located in the southwest portion of Lake Apopka, in a small cove called “Gourd Neck” due to its distinctive shape. This area of the lake was considered in the 1960s as a potential nursery for fish. The Lake Apopka Technical Committee explored damming the Gourd Neck, separating it from the lake and preventing polluted lake water from entering, but these plans did not materialize. Efforts were also made in the 1960s to have the Gourd Neck area purchased by the State of Florida for use as a public park. The Gourd Neck Springs Park Association was formed in 1961 to study the site’s potential for a park and lobby for support from legislators. The land bordering the area was privately-owned by various individuals. One of these, Gary I. Sharp, continued seeking support for a park into the 1970s. While the project received support from Florida legislators and environmentalists, the land was never purchased by the state.
Photocopy of original 1-page typewritten letter from William J. Cappleman to Gary I. Sharp, May 16, 1975: binder 1975, Friends of Lake Apopka Archives, Ginn Museum, Oakland Nature Preserve, Oakland, Florida.
Letter from Bob Entwistle to Gary I. Sharp (April 24, 1975)
A letter from Bob Entwistle, chair of the Orlando Regional Group of the Sierra Club's Florida Chapter, to Gary I. Sharp, dated April 24, 1975. In this letter, Entwistle finds merit in Sharp's proposal to have the Gourd Neck Springs area considered for purchase through the state's Environmentally Endangered Lands Program (EEL). Sharp states that he considers the site to have value in light of future growth projections of Central Florida, and classifies the site as a "high category 2, or low category 1" area. The Environmentally Endangered Lands Program (EEL) was formed in 1972 as part of the larger Land Conservation Act of 1972. The EEL program was initially funded through the sale of state bonds. The program was designed to help the state acquire lands considered environmentally sensitive and was not designed for creating areas for recreational use. Potential sites for acquisition could be suggested by citizens, county and state governments, and nonprofit organizations. After evaluation for environmental value, potential sites would be approved by the Executive Director of the Florida Department of Natural Resources and finalized by the Governor. In 1979, the former Executive Director, Harmon Shields, was indicted on corruption charges involving the lands-acquisition process. Following this scandal, the EEL program was replaced by Conservation and Recreation Lands Program. This change replaced the program's funding with tax revenues instead of bond sales, and formed the Land Acquisition Selection Committee, made up by six executive directors of Florida environmental agencies, to select sites for approval by the governor. The Division of State Lands was also created as a division of the Department of Natural Resources to oversee mapping and evaluation of potential sites for acquisition. Gourd Neck Springs is a small spring located in the southwest portion of Lake Apopka, in a small cove called “Gourd Neck” due to its distinctive shape. This area of the lake was considered in the 1960s as a potential nursery for fish. The Lake Apopka Technical Committee explored damming the Gourd Neck, separating it from the lake and preventing polluted lake water from entering, but these plans did not materialize. Efforts were also made in the 1960s to have the Gourd Neck area purchased by the State of Florida for use as a public park. The Gourd Neck Springs Park Association was formed in 1961 to study the site’s potential for a park and lobby for support from legislators. The land bordering the area was privately-owned by various individuals. One of these, Gary I. Sharp, continued seeking support for a park into the 1970s. While the project received support from Florida legislators and environmentalists, the land was never purchased by the state.
Photocopy of original 1-page typewritten letter from Bob Entwistle to Gary I. Sharp, April 24, 1975: binder 1975, Friends of Lake Apopka Archives, Ginn Museum, Oakland Nature Preserve, Oakland, Florida.
Letter from Helen M. Hood to Gary I. Sharp (May 21, 1975)
A letter from Helen M. Hood, chair of the Parks and Endangered Lands Committee of the Florida Defenders of the Environment (FDE), to Gary I. Sharp, dated May 21, 1975. In this letter, Hood states that the FDE endorsed Sharp's proposal to form a recreational park in the Gourd Neck Springs area. Hood states that the FDE did not consider the area to qualify as endangered land, but agrees with Ney Landrum, director of the Florida Park Service from 1970 to 1989, that the site had potential for recreational use. Hood cites potential future growth in Central Florida as a reason for the site to be acquired for the public. Gourd Neck Springs is a small spring located in the southwest portion of Lake Apopka, in a small cove called “Gourd Neck” due to its distinctive shape. This area of the lake was considered in the 1960s as a potential nursery for fish. The Lake Apopka Technical Committee explored damming the Gourd Neck, separating it from the lake and preventing polluted lake water from entering, but these plans did not materialize. Efforts were also made in the 1960s to have the Gourd Neck area purchased by the State of Florida for use as a public park. The Gourd Neck Springs Park Association was formed in 1961 to study the site’s potential for a park and lobby for support from legislators. The land bordering the area was privately-owned by various individuals. One of these, Gary I. Sharp, continued seeking support for a park into the 1970s. While the project received support from Florida legislators and environmentalists, the land was never purchased by the state.
Photocopy of original 1-page typewritten letter from Helen M. Hood to Gary I. Sharp, May 21, 1975: binder 1975, Friends of Lake Apopka Archives, Ginn Museum, Oakland Nature Preserve, Oakland, Florida.
Letter from Richard H. Langley to Gary I. Sharp (February 24, 1975)
A letter from Florida State Representative Richard H. Langley to Gary I. Sharp, dated February 24, 1975). In this letter, Rep. Langley endorses the potential acquisition of the Gourd Neck Springs area by the State of Florida. Rep. Langley states his endorsement is given only on the condition that the state prohibits further discharge into Lake Apopka. Gourd Neck Springs is a small spring located in the southwest portion of Lake Apopka, in a small cove called “Gourd Neck” due to its distinctive shape. This area of the lake was considered in the 1960s as a potential nursery for fish. The Lake Apopka Technical Committee explored damming the Gourd Neck, separating it from the lake and preventing polluted lake water from entering, but these plans did not materialize. Efforts were also made in the 1960s to have the Gourd Neck area purchased by the State of Florida for use as a public park. The Gourd Neck Springs Park Association was formed in 1961 to study the site’s potential for a park and lobby for support from legislators. The land bordering the area was privately-owned by various individuals. One of these, Gary I. Sharp, continued seeking support for a park into the 1970s. While the project received support from Florida legislators and environmentalists, the land was never purchased by the state.
Photocopy of original 1-page typewritten letter from Richard H. Langley to Gary I. Sharp, February 24, 1975: binder 1975, Friends of Lake Apopka Archives, Ginn Museum, Oakland Nature Preserve, Oakland, Florida.
Letter from Kenneth A. Plante to Gary I. Sharp (June 27, 1975)
A letter from Senator Kenneth A. Plante (1939-2015) to Gary I. Sharp, dated June 27, 1975. In this letter, Sen. Plante states that he endorses a potential purchase by the State of Florida of the Gourd Neck Springs area for use as a potential recreational park. Gourd Neck Springs is a small spring located in the southwest portion of Lake Apopka, in a small cove called “Gourd Neck” due to its distinctive shape. This area of the lake was considered in the 1960s as a potential nursery for fish. The Lake Apopka Technical Committee explored damming the Gourd Neck, separating it from the lake and preventing polluted lake water from entering, but these plans did not materialize. Efforts were also made in the 1960s to have the Gourd Neck area purchased by the State of Florida for use as a public park. The Gourd Neck Springs Park Association was formed in 1961 to study the site’s potential for a park and lobby for support from legislators. The land bordering the area was privately-owned by various individuals. One of these, Gary I. Sharp, continued seeking support for a park into the 1970s. While the project received support from Florida legislators and environmentalists, the land was never purchased by the state.
Photocopy of original 1-page typewritten letter from Kenneth A. Plante to Gary I. Sharp, June 27, 1975: binder 1975, Friends of Lake Apopka Archives, Ginn Museum, Oakland Nature Preserve, Oakland, Florida.
Letter from Peter C. H. Pritchard to Gary I. Sharp (June 3, 1975)
A letter from Peter C. H. Pritchard (b. 1943) to Gary I. Sharp, dated June 3, 1975. In this letter, Dr. Pritchard, Vice President of the Florida Audubon Society, writes in support of Sharp's proposal that the Gourd Neck Springs area of Lake Apopka be acquired for use as a public park. Dr. Pritchard states that the area is too small for purchase under the State of Florida's Environmentally Endangered Lands (EEL) program, but that the area has environmental value and would be worth acquiring by the public. Gourd Neck Springs is a small spring located in the southwest portion of Lake Apopka, in a small cove called “Gourd Neck” due to its distinctive shape. This area of the lake was considered in the 1960s as a potential nursery for fish. The Lake Apopka Technical Committee explored damming the Gourd Neck, separating it from the lake and preventing polluted lake water from entering, but these plans did not materialize. Efforts were also made in the 1960s to have the Gourd Neck area purchased by the State of Florida for use as a public park. The Gourd Neck Springs Park Association was formed in 1961 to study the site’s potential for a park and lobby for support from legislators. The land bordering the area was privately-owned by various individuals. One of these, Gary I. Sharp, continued seeking support for a park into the 1970s. While the project received support from Florida legislators and environmentalists, the land was never purchased by the state.
Photocopy of original 1-page typewritten letter from Peter C. H. Pritchard to Gary I. Sharp, June 3, 1975: binder 1975, Friends of Lake Apopka Archives, Ginn Museum, Oakland Nature Preserve, Oakland, Florida.
Letter from James Milton Thomas to Gary I. Sharp (November 10, 1975)
A letter from James Milton Thomas to Gary I. Sharp, dated November 10, 1975. In this letter, Thomas, an environmental consultant, writes to in support of Sharp's proposal that the State of Florida acquire the Gourd Neck Springs area for use as a public park. Thomas briefly describes various plant species that he has identified in his surveys of the area, including rare species like the Tulip Tree and the Needle Palm. Thomas also states that the area has both environmental and recreational value, and a park in the area may help alleviate overcrowding at other parks like Wekiwa Springs State Park. Thomas later served as the first president of the Friends of Lake Apopka (FOLA) after its formation in 1991, working as an advocate for restoration of the lake. Gourd Neck Springs is a small spring located in the southwest portion of Lake Apopka, in a small cove called “Gourd Neck” due to its distinctive shape. This area of the lake was considered in the 1960s as a potential nursery for fish. The Lake Apopka Technical Committee explored damming the Gourd Neck, separating it from the lake and preventing polluted lake water from entering, but these plans did not materialize. Efforts were also made in the 1960s to have the Gourd Neck area purchased by the State of Florida for use as a public park. The Gourd Neck Springs Park Association was formed in 1961 to study the site’s potential for a park and lobby for support from legislators. The land bordering the area was privately-owned by various individuals. One of these, Gary I. Sharp, continued seeking support for a park into the 1970s. While the project received support from Florida legislators and environmentalists, the land was never purchased by the state.
Photocopy of original 1-page typewritten letter from James Milton Thomas to Gary I. Sharp, November 10, 1975: binder 1975, Friends of Lake Apopka Archives, Ginn Museum, Oakland Nature Preserve, Oakland, Florida.
Letter from Walter Sims to Gary I. Sharp (March 18, 1975)
A letter from Senator Walter Sims to Gary I. Sharp, dated March 18, 1975. In this letter, Sen. Sims writes to express personal support for Sharp's proposal that the Gourd Neck Springs area of Lake Apopka be used as a public park. Sen. Sims states that the plan would aid in restoration efforts for the lake. He also states that he feels the park would be acquired through private means, rather than public funds, and then potentially donated to the state. Gourd Neck Springs is a small spring located in the southwest portion of Lake Apopka, in a small cove called “Gourd Neck” due to its distinctive shape. This area of the lake was considered in the 1960s as a potential nursery for fish. The Lake Apopka Technical Committee explored damming the Gourd Neck, separating it from the lake and preventing polluted lake water from entering, but these plans did not materialize. Efforts were also made in the 1960s to have the Gourd Neck area purchased by the State of Florida for use as a public park. The Gourd Neck Springs Park Association was formed in 1961 to study the site’s potential for a park and lobby for support from legislators. The land bordering the area was privately-owned by various individuals. One of these, Gary I. Sharp, continued seeking support for a park into the 1970s. While the project received support from Florida legislators and environmentalists, the land was never purchased by the state.
Photocopy of original 1-page typewritten letter from Walter Sims to Gary I. Sharp, March 18, 1975: binder 1975, Friends of Lake Apopka Archives, Ginn Museum, Oakland Nature Preserve, Oakland, Florida.
This report by Gary I. Sharp lists information related to the Gourd Neck Springs area of Lake Apopka and a potential purchase of the area by the State of Florida through the Environmentally Endangered Lands (EEL) Program. The report aims to show why the area is suitable for a public park, describing physical and environmental characteristics of the area, as well as summarizing the economic issues related to a public purchase of the area, including zoning information from the Lake County Zoning Department and appraisal values from Danny L. Dulgar. The report also discusses an inspection of the area by the Environmentally Endangered Lands Committee, which rejected the site due to the polluted quality of the lake surrounding the area, as well as its small size. Finally, the report includes hydrological data related to the springs. Gourd Neck Springs is a small spring located in the southwest portion of Lake Apopka, in a small cove called “Gourd Neck” due to its distinctive shape. This area of the lake was considered in the 1960s as a potential nursery for fish. The Lake Apopka Technical Committee explored damming the Gourd Neck, separating it from the lake and preventing polluted lake water from entering, but these plans did not materialize. Efforts were also made in the 1960s to have the Gourd Neck area purchased by the State of Florida for use as a public park. The Gourd Neck Springs Park Association was formed in 1961 to study the site’s potential for a park and lobby for support from legislators. The land bordering the area was privately-owned by various individuals. One of these, Gary I. Sharp, continued seeking support for a park into the 1970s. While the project received support from Florida legislators and environmentalists, the land was never purchased by the state. The Environmentally Endangered Lands Program (EEL) was formed in 1972 as part of the larger Land Conservation Act of 1972. The EEL program was initially funded through the sale of state bonds. The program was designed to help the state acquire lands considered environmentally sensitive and was not designed for creating areas for recreational use. Potential sites for acquisition could be suggested by citizens, county and state governments, and nonprofit organizations. After evaluation for environmental value, potential sites would be approved by the Executive Director of the Florida Department of Natural Resources and finalized by the Governor. In 1979, the former Executive Director, Harmon Shields, was indicted on corruption charges involving the lands-acquisition process. Following this scandal, the EEL program was replaced by Conservation and Recreation Lands Program. This change replaced the program's funding with tax revenues instead of bond sales, and formed the Land Acquisition Selection Committee, made up by six executive directors of Florida environmental agencies, to select sites for approval by the governor. The Division of State Lands was also created as a division of the Department of Natural Resources to oversee mapping and evaluation of potential sites for acquisition.
Original 10-page typewritten report: Sharp, Gary I. Gourd Neck Springs. Winter Park, FL: 1975: binder 1975, Friends of Lake Apopka Archives, Ginn Museum, Oakland Nature Preserve, Oakland, Florida.