Commissioners receive Big Cypress update
News Release
Wednesday, December 01, 2010
Media contact: Gabriella B. Ferraro, 772-215-9459
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation
Commission (FWC) learned Wednesday that the general management plan
for the Big Cypress National Preserve Addition lands is complete
and has been made public. The FWC, along with several other state
agencies, provided comment to the National Park Service to make
sure the plan includes a full range of recreational opportunities,
public access and resource protection, as per the original intent
of the U.S. Congress. The FWC manages hunting opportunities within
the preserve.
In 2008, the FWC adopted a resolution urging the
federal government to open the lands quickly. The preserve addition
comprises approximately 146,000 acres to the northeast of the
original preserve.
Chuck Collins, FWC South Region director, advised
commissioners that staff provided recommendations consistent with
Congress' intent that the lands be distinguished from a typical
national park. The intent of the congressional acts establishing
the preserve and the addition was to ensure the protection of the
area's flora and fauna and allow traditional recreational
activities such as hunting, fishing, wildlife viewing, trapping and
associated vehicle use.
"We are disappointed with the designations of
'backcountry primitive' and 'wilderness.' Those designations will
place restrictions on significant portions of Big Cypress," said
Commissioner Ron Bergeron. "However, we are committed to moving
forward and working with our partners and elected officials to open
these lands as quickly as possible to a wide range of recreational
activity, while protecting its environmental integrity."
The FWC and the National Park Service will be
working together to develop a hunt plan for the area.
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