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| Press Release |
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| For Immediate Release: |
Contact: Ted Forsgren |
| July 18, 2007 |
1-850-224-3474 |
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CCA FLORIDA ISSUES POSITION STATEMENT AND RECOMMENDATIONS ON EVERGLADES NATIONAL PARK MANAGEMENT PLAN
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In May, the National Park Service (NPS) released four preliminary alternatives for the development of the Everglades National Park (ENP) General Management Plan. The alternatives range from maintaining current management measures to draconian restrictions on boating access.
“No individual or organization holds the Everglades National Park and its unique environment in higher regard than CCA and its members,” said Michael Kennedy, Chairman of a special CCA Florida subcommittee. “CCA Florida is more than willing to support and seek funding for angler education, restoration efforts, and to properly mark access channels in areas where the Park has evidence of recent sea grass damage. However, we will oppose the huge zones which prohibit or exclude traditional access by motorized recreational fishing boats.
”One alternative would prohibit the use of internal combustion engines in all waters less than three feet deep. In Florida Bay alone, that alternative would prohibit traditional boating in more than 150 square miles!
The NPS proposals for such severe restrictions in one of the world’s premier saltwater fishing destinations set off a firestorm of public opposition. Hundreds of anglers showed up at each of the public workshops held by the NPS to oppose the unnecessary restrictions. In addition, some state officials have commented in opposition to the plans.
“Leave it alone,” said Rodney Barreto, a Key Largo resident and current Chairman of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. “Make some small changes if they are needed, but they are talking about some extreme changes.”
CCA Florida set up a special subcommittee of its Government Relations Committee to review and develop recommendations on the general management plan alternatives as they go through the process. The subcommittee contains representation from local chapters around the Park and from individuals across the state with detailed knowledge of fishing within the Park. Some have fished the area for more than forty years. Michael Kennedy, former state board chairman, is chairman of the subcommittee.
The subcommittee’s recommendations were presented and approved by the CCA Executive Board on July 14. The recommendations include the following.
1. ALTERNATIVE A IS ACCEPTABLE WITH MODIFICATION
- Alternative A should be revised to reflect all restrictions presently in place, including existing No Wake Zones in the Flamingo, Everglades City and Key Largo areas, the no motor zones in designated canoe trails and no landing areas in Florida Bay.
- The Park should engage an active program to educate all users in proper vessel operation, courteous operation and respect for the Park’s resources.
- The NPS should provide signage for channels and transit areas around the grass flats in the more commonly used areas.
2. ALTERNATIVES B, C, AND D ARE UNACCEPTABLE
- CCA does not support any large area “Management by Water Depth,” “Backcountry,” “Research,” “Management by Vessel Length” or other such zones which exclude normal or traditional access by motorized recreational fishing boats. We have requested the NPS to provide documentation such as boat strandings data, aerial photos of grass bed damage or other such evidence which may indicate a need for additional protection measures. The seagrass information should be over a specific time period and in the context of total seagrasses within the park. CCA will participate with the NPS, when such information is provided, to help establish effective channel marking, public education and enforcement measures to solve any resource problems.
There is already indication that the Park is rethinking their proposed management alternatives. Park Superintendent Dan Kimball attended the CCA Florida Convention last weekend and provided comments on the management plan. Kimball stated that based on public comments, meetings with interest groups, and “ground truthing” trips into the Park “the NPS is in the process of significantly modifying these alternatives, particularly in regard to how these alternatives address boating management in the park.”
The NPS plans to release a revised set of preliminary alternatives for public comment this fall and additional public hearings will be held.“This is an extremely important, high priority issue for CCA Florida,” said Ted Forsgren, CCA Florida Executive Director. “We will continue to be a major participant in every aspect of the ENP management plan process.”
The entire CCA Florida position statement and recommendations can be found by following this link. Periodic updates on the Everglades National Park issue can be found on CCA Florida’s website at www.ccaflorida.org. |
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