Expand three Miccosukee camps

The Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida is assisting three tribal members, Owen Billie, Joe Jimmie, and Rainey Jim, who have Indian camps in Big Cypress National Preserve, in obtaining all permits required for expanding their camps in order to build a new home at each camp. The three camps are located along U.S. 41, Tamiami Trail, in Collier County, within the boundaries of the Preserve. These tribal members have requested new homes and safe septic systems to accompany the homes. These members currently reside in chickees, traditional Miccosukee housing, or in trailers, and desire to advance to safer and more adequate housing, improving health needs and protection from hurricanes and other weather events. Each new home would be situated to impact the least amount of wetlands possible while still maintaining the 75' setback that is required from the Florida Department of Health for septic tanks and drainfields as well as the 100' setback required for drinking water wells. A total of approximately 1.49 acres of wetlands would be filled in order to meet these requirements. As compensation for the wetlands lost, the Tribe would restore 2.7 acres of disturbed uplands in the form of an old logging tram road, 2.3 miles north of U.S. 41 on Birdon Road. Also, sheet flow would be restored to the wetlands south of the current tram road once the fill has been removed from the area.

Contact Information
Damon Doumlele, 239-695-1158
damon_doumlele@nps.gov