Florida Today from Cocoa, Florida • Page 51

ing generators and two nuclear generators would rise (units one and two are now in operation; the first nuclear unit is scheduled to begin producing power in 1970). Much of the rock fill needed for the plant site (raised 18 feet above mean low water) came from the 3 '4 mile channel dredged in Biscayne Bay to enable barges to deliver fuel oil to fire the boilers. Canny Smith gave orders that outflow pipes be aimed toward the shore during the dredging and the sand that spilled out formed a clean, white beach at the edge of the bay. As new canals were dug and existing waterways widened, Smith directed engineers to dump the soil where he wanted to create the Boy Scout camp grounds. Then Smith remembered Hurricane Betsy, which hit Turkey Point in 1965.

and scattered thousands of board feet of lumber through the jungle of red white and black mangroves. 'The wood had belonged to a plant contractor, who was insured for this loss. Smith had his workmen patiently retrieve much of the lumber and used it to construct shelters for the Boy and Girl Scouts and picnickers. Wood from packing cases was also used. The attractively stained and completely serviceable structures appear to be made of far better materials.

Out of town visitors will be particularly interested in Smith's leasing (at $1 a year) of 1,500 acres to the Tropical Audubon Society as a wildlife sanctuary. No hunters nro permitted, but you can shoot with camera or train your binoculars on a variety of specimens even bald eagles have been spotted. Nature trails have boardwalks extending into the swamp. When the Vietnam war made it ad visablo to step up training at the Tactical Air Command's Sea Survival School, Langley Air Force Base, Va, the cold waters of Chesapeake Bay put a damper on year round activities. Smith's offer of a Turkey Point site was promptly accepted, and now Vietnam bound airmen get their dunking in Biscayne Bay and in a lagoon near the "Resurch" shack, where Smith still occasionally spends the night so he 'can closely supervise the many changes taking place.

For example: Bud Crostic, his conservation supervisor was told by experts that grass would never grow in the Baity fill. Not only is grass now growing Bud expects eventually to cover the area with a green carpet but so are tomatoes, black olive, collards, figs and beets. The picnic area is open on a semi public basis, meaning that groups can reserve the grounds and beach in advance. Some Controls are necessary to avoid congestion, and certain sections of the park reachable only by motoring through the generator area are off limits. It has been a great pleasure to turn this land Into something useful," said Smith.

He forgot fo add that Turkey Point is no longer a misnomer: he imported a couple of genuine gobblers. SZ.1 Wi gg" II II I II II SI lllMilm I'll i nk i i TnMMIMiMwMrwi 1 (lnWs5iSllfllli Vacation Treasure Map for Florida Explorers HEREWITH. t. your invitation to DISCOVER FLORIDA: a Mappc of Treasures, historick 5c amusing in Nature, all of whiche may be discover'd most pleasurably within ye boundaries of ye Peninsula of Florida, beingye Southernmost Portion of ye Ncwe World. FLORIDA POWER LIGHT HELPING BUILD FLORIDA COMPANY Set your course for adventure.

up your free Vacation Treasure Map at any FPL office. and really discover "Florida. SUNDAY, JUNE 30, 1908 PAGE 81.