Monday, Jun 19, 2006
Big Cypress National Preserve, a unit of the National Park Service, is seeking public input on the future of commercial services within the area. The NPS is in the process of beginning a Commercial Services Plan (CSP) which will outline future opportunities for establishing types and levels of commercial activities necessary and appropriate within the boundary of the original preserve. Commercial Services in the Addition lands of the preserve will not be addressed until the General Management Plan for that area is completed, in early 2009.
To learn more about the CSP process and to provide initial scoping comments, visit: http://parkplanning.nps.gov/bicy. Comments will be accepted until July 24, 2006.
Examples of commercial activities include concession services, museum association sales, guided front and backcountry trips, and commercial use agreements which allow for revenue-producing visitor services as a “permitted” activity. The CSP is an implementation plan, establishing the most effective and efficient methods for the National Park Service (NPS) to manage those activities. This plan is developed with public input.
"We encourage everyone with an interest in the Preserve to review the Newsletter to better understand the process and to offer comments on the direction of the plan," stated Karen Gustin, Big Cypress National Preserve Superintendent. "To make this process work, and to ensure that the public’s views and concerns are addressed, we need your comments, feedback and participation."
You can help the National Park Service by getting involved early in the process. Your input at this time will help develop a plan that is responsive to the needs and desires of the visiting public, local communities, the local business community, and preserve management.
Public meetings related to the CSP will be conducted later this summer.
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