The park has extended the public comment period on its recently distributed General Management Plan preliminary alternatives document from 45 to 75 days. The comment period will continue through July 31st.
The public comment period has been extended to ensure that the public has adequate time to review all information available on the plan and planning process, in addition to new maps that clarify options in Alternatives B and C for a portion of Northeast Florida Bay and in the Everglades City/Chokoloskee area. These new maps are available on the park planning website (http://parkplanning.nps.gov) and replace those that were distributed in a newsletter at the end of May. Copies of the newsletter supplement with copies of the maps have been mailed to those on the park mailing list.
Since 2003, Everglades National Park has been engaged in a planning process to update a General Management Plan (GMP) that will guide park management for the next 20 years.
“Everglades National Park has not had a comprehensive plan since its 1979 master plan,” says superintendent Dan Kimball. “A new management plan is needed to assist the park in addressing the many complex issues that have arisen since that time.”
The GMP will be wide-ranging, addressing critical issues such as management of Florida Bay and the East Everglades expansion area, as well as emerging challenges such as the impacts of the high cost-of-living and housing on the park’s ability to recruit and retain park employees. Of course, the ability to fulfill the park’s mission of protecting the unique natural and cultural resources of Everglades National Park so that current and future generations can enjoy, understand and appreciate this special place is the cornerstone of the guidance the GMP will be offering.
Comments may be submitted two ways for those not able to attend local workshops:
Visit the NPS planning website at http://parkplanning.nps.gov to learn more about the project, view or download the newsletter and comment form, and submit comments via the internet. Simply select “Everglades National Park” from the drop down box and then follow the link for the General Management Plan/East Everglades Wilderness Study.
Submit written comments to National Park Service, Everglades Planning Team, P.O. Box 25287, Denver, CO 80225-0287
To receive a copy of the GMP – Preliminary Alternatives newsletter by mail, please call the park at 305-242-7700. If you are prompted by the voicemail system, press 2 at the first prompt and press 5 at the second prompt to leave your mailing address information.
Following the public comment period, the planning team will analyze all comments received and finalize the alternatives for inclusion in the Draft GMP/East Everglades Wilderness Study (EEWS)/ Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). It is expected that this document will be released in mid-2008. Completion of the Final GMP/EEWS/EIS and Record of Decision is expected in 2009.
For more information or questions, please contact Fred Herling, Everglades National Park planner, at 305-242-7704 or fred_herling@nps.gov .
