Whether it’s Yellowstone snowmobiling, or Everglades boating and fishing, folks need to wake up to the reality that economics and human interface are a lot more important to the existence of our natural resources than have been apparent in the past.

Citizens should not have to battle over getting to enjoy common sense recreation in and near our National Parks. Not a year goes by that some bureaucrat makes it into the news as the bad guy embattled over usage rights. When will this end?

If we want more folks coming out to enjoy and support our national treasures, then we can’t reach out with one hand begging for funds and volunteers while with the other we are stopping folks from spending their vacations in the parks.

Entire communities are hanging in the balance over decisions made by federal bureaucrats. I’m not sure I would want to live in a community such as this. How about you? Would you want to be a home owner in Everglades; one who’s taxes could either double or decrease from year to year? Comment below.

Stu Marks, Adventure-Crew Editor

Everglades council wants no change to National Park management plan
By JANE H. RACKLEY, Daily News correspondent

Wednesday, August 29, 2007

The storm brewing over Everglades National Park’s proposed management changes jolted the Everglades City Council and mayor into action at its August meeting.

The three council members attending the brief meeting unanimously approved its first resolution of the year crafted by Mayor Sammy Hamilton Jr., urging the Park Service to leave regulations as they now stand.

Like many of the residents of this small fishing village, city leaders voiced opposition to any proposals that would restrict fishing and boating in Everglades National Park.

National Park officials have been holding public meetings throughout South Florida this summer to update the park’s 1979 management plan. They are looking at four alternatives that range from leaving everything as is, known as Alternative A, to banning boat motors in 3 feet of water or less, known as Alternative D.

It’s been the talk of the town ever since the first meeting in June.

Alternative A of the National Park’s preliminary proposed management plan “is the only alternative supportable by the Mayor and City Council at this time,” the resolution reads.

It further cautions, “Any future alternatives must give consideration to avoiding adverse economic impact to Everglades City and the surrounding community.”

“I feel this resolution was very important to keep the cultural aspect of the area for our children,” council member Tammy Smallwood said. “My father was born on Chokoloskee, my grandfather was born at the Bruner Place, now owned by Outward Bound, and my great-great-grandfather was born on Russell Key.”

“We’ve got a lot of history in this area, and I don’t want to see my grandchildren not knowing where they are from, and what it’s all about,” she said.

Smallwood has three daughters and three grandchildren.

Councilman Parker Oglesby, who had attended the other meetings in the community about the proposals, said he felt this choice was the best.

“I just felt like this one was more suitable and better for us here,” Oglesby explained.

“If people know they can’t run a boat or fish here, it’s probably going to affect property values and linger on down to the business people in the community,” he said of the possible economic ramifications.

“It could even trickle down to me and my work in construction,” Oglesby contended.

As Hamilton read the resolution, he told the handful of local residents attending the meeting he felt this was necessary after the contentious meetings the Park Service held to gather local opinions on the four proposals.

“Alternatives B, C and D intend to reduce, restrict and or ban motorized vessels access to fisheries,” read the resolution. The mayor and council believe these restrictions “will not be in the best interest of the residents and visitors to Everglades City and its surrounding community, our cultural heritage or economy.”

In this small community dependent on the fishing trade and visitors seeking fishing guides, air boat rides or fresh fish dinners, economics are as fragile as the environment.

Sources; Google, NaplesNews.com