|
Florida Panther Habitat at Risk
The National Park Service (NPS) is drafting a General Management Plan (GMP) for Big Cypress National Preserve's Addition Lands, which encompass more than 140,000 acres of prime Florida panther habitat. These lands are among the few wild areas of the greater Everglades ecosystem where visitors can find a quiet, natural experience. The Preserve's proposed plan would introduce Off-Road Vehicle (ORV) use in the same areas panthers currently live.
NPCA urges you to tell the Park Service to select Alternative F of the proposed plan to ensure the conservation and preservation of these lands now and for future generations by designating it wilderness.
Please personalize your comments and use the letter below as a sample. More information and background can be found by clicking on "Tell Me More" below.
| Sample Letter for Campaign |
Subject: Big Cypress National Preserve--Addition Lands Draft GMP
Dear [ Decision Maker ] ,
I am writing you today in support of Alternative F in the Draft General Management Plan (GMP) for the Addition Lands of Big Cypress National Preserve. These lands should preserve the maximum amount of wilderness area to protect endangered and threatened species, such as the Florida panther and its habitat.
The wilderness designation will ensure that future generations will be able to experience a primitive and ecologically restored habitat in the Big Cypress Basin of the greater Everglades ecosystem. Other areas of Big Cypress are currently open to Off-Road Vehicles (ORV), so this plan provides wonderful opportunities for a unique visitor experience free from motorized uses.
In addition, ORV use in this ecologically sensitive area should continue to be prohibited due to its negative effects on wildlife and destructive impacts on these lands. The National Park Service should take full advantage of this opportunity to designate the Addition Lands a wilderness area.
Thank you for considering my comments.
Sincerely,
|
Campaign Launched:
September 16, 2009
|
In 1988, Congress approved the Addition Lands of Big Cypress National Preserve and clearly stated these lands should be considered for wilderness designation. Wilderness designation provides a higher level of protection for these critical wetlands and endangered species habitat.
Currently, Big Cypress National Preserve has no areas of designated wilderness. If the Preserve chooses Alternative F of the Draft General Management Plan (GMP), instead of their current preferred alternative, 111,000 acres of wilderness would be created.
There are four proposed alternatives in the Draft GMP. A no-action alternative prohibits off-road vehicle (ORV) use but does not establish any proposed wilderness lands. Two other proposed alternatives allow for the use of ORV's on 140 miles of trails, currently serving as habitat for the endangered Florida panther and other endangered and threatened species. The fourth alternative, Alternative F, is the only one to maximize the area of designated wilderness and prohibit ORV use in the Addition Lands. Alternative F provides for the protection of habitats in perpetuity.
The Addition Lands provide habitat for 120 rare and protected species of plants and animals. Studies have shown that ORV use will affect Florida panther movement in the Addition Lands. With ever-increasing pressures outside of the Preserve to develop land, these currently-protected acres provide for an uninterrupted expanse of critical habitat for the panther.
Big Cypress National Preserve has shown that it is not capable of sufficiently managing ORV use. The Preserve should carefully consider its ability to manage ORV use in additional lands. Currently, hunting and ORV use are allowed in Big Cypress National Preserve; however, there is not enough staff or resources to adequately enforce the rules and regulations of ORV use.
By designating this area as wilderness, current and future visitors will be able to experience Big Cypress free from motorized vehicles and have a chance to see rare species in their natural habitat. Since there are parts of the Preserve that allow ORVs, these Addition Lands would serve as the only area where nature lovers would enjoy peaceful respite from the hectic urban life bordering the preserve.
NPCA supports Alternative F, designating the most amount of wilderness and preserving the lands for future generations to enjoy the natural beauty without the scarring from motorized activities.
|
