CRYSTAL RIVER, Fla. — Some people in Crystal River say not enough has been done to improve one of their biggest attractions, Three Sisters Springs.
Restrooms facilities, better walking trails, an elevated overlook to see the manatees — these are some of the things that people who come to Three Sisters Springs could see in the future.
But some say these things should’ve been done already and that’s why the city should take over managing the property.
"U.S. Fish and Wildlife has had management here for ten years and we still have portable potties," said Phillis Rosetti, a Crystal River resident.
The property for Three Sisters Springs was originally going to have 300 homes on it before it was acquired by the city and Southwest Florida Water Management District in 2010. U.S. Fish and Wildlife manages the land.
As part of the deal, U.S. Fish and Wildlife had to do several things to the property to make it better for the public. But not all of them have been done and now the city manager has drafted a proposal of how the city can take on managing the land and completing the projects.
"I believe the city is prepared to do it. I believe U.S. Fish and Wildlife would like to do it but their budgets are never set in stone," said Rosetti.
U.S. Fish and Wildlife says they’ve tried to get approval for many of the improvements in the past but they weren’t passed through city council.
Very similar proposals on how to improve the land have been given to Crystal River city council and they will vote if they want to keep U.S. Fish and Wildlife as managers or if the city will take over.
