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Draft GMP/East Everglades Wilderness Study/EIS (February 2013)
February 27, 2013
Everglades National Park has released its Draft General Management Plan / East Everglades Wilderness Study / Environmental Impact Statement (Draft GMP) for public review and comment. The Draft GMP public comment period is open through Sunday, May 12, 2013. Superintendent Dan Kimball said "the park has been working to complete the draft plan for many years, and we're pleased to have reached this important milestone. We now look forward to presenting the results of this collaborative effort, hearing directly from the public and many stakeholder groups, and working to shape the long-term vision for the park when the plan is completed next year." Seven (7) public meetings will be held for both the Draft GMP and the East Everglades Wilderness Study. The Draft GMP provides broad guidance and describes desired conditions to be achieved and maintained over time regarding natural and cultural resource protection, appropriate types and levels of visitor activities, and facility development, and also includes a wilderness study for the East Everglades Addition (an area added to the park in 1989, after the park's original 1978 wilderness designation). It presents and evaluates the NPS Preferred Alternative and three other alternatives. Superintendent Kimball believes that the Preferred Alternative would most effectively achieve the long-term goals and desired conditions for the park and for compatibility with Everglades ecosystem restoration efforts. "The planning team carefully considered the park's mission, its legal responsibilities, current and future restoration projects, and public input in crafting the Preferred Alternative, which also is identified as the environmentally preferred alternative." Following the comment period, public input will be reviewed and analyzed, and adjustments will be made before issuing the Final GMP and Record of Decision in 2014.
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Comment Period:
Closed
Feb 27, 2013 - May 12, 2013
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