ENP GMP update

[Ted]

Below is a link to updated information concerning the Everglades National Park's General Management Plan.

http://www.nps.gov/ever/parkmgmt/upload/EVER%20GMP%20newsletter5%20...

The National Park Service has had a history of siding with the major user groups (in our case the power boaters) concerning management planning and I have a feeling it will be no different for the ENP.

[Miami101]

O.K.

I tend to agree with Esther on this one it does feel in all the years I been going to the park from age five till present that they are kind of going out of control. I do agree we do have to protect the park, but perhaps can find a half way point. After reviewing those plan I get the fell of Walt Disney meets the Glades.

 

Not sure what can be done about this it hard just to get out to the park.

Esther Luft said:

Part of the master plan for ENP includes making some form mandatory education/licensing/registration for paddlers.  This is all but a guaranteed element of the plan.  This must be vocally and sternly opposed. 

Paddlers are the weakest link in the water access chain.  We are not well organized, vocal about our needs and too willing to accept whatever is imposed upon us.  If this mandatory program becomes a permanent part of the park's master plan it will set a precedent that will ultimately lead to meaningless rules, registrations and unfair fees.  It will begin to destroy the simple nature of our activities. 

Many motor boaters spoke up at the meetings about how once they gave up the fight on Snake Bight it was just the beginning of them losing access to the park. 

If we lose on the issue of mandatory licensing and education it will only be the beginning.  The boaters too will lose.  We are the canaries in the mine.  If we fall now, the boaters will be next on the menu.  First the remaining airboats will lose what little access they have now.  Then motor boats in the park will be further excluded from enjoying our great outdoors.   

A national park should never be placed in such a predicament.  They have enough to handle and few enough resources to squander them on issues already addressed by the paddlesports industry.  Ironically, we are probably the only industry than encourages education, promotes awareness of environmental issues, and sets standards against which skills and knowledge can be measured.  Mandatory programs are just a bad idea.  I urge the park to revisit this issue.  You do not need to reinvent the wheel. 

Education is wonderful.  Offering meaningful and informative programs and materials is valuable.  Forcing basic training on a skilled population is nonsence.  Who will run these programs?  Presentation by non-experts or commercial interests is foolish at best, dangerous at worse.  Perhaps we can offer assistance to the park in creating voluntary paddling education that is meaningful and advantageous to the park, its visitors and the paddlers who frequent the park and enjoy its facilities.

We don't need to be told how to wear a life jacket, get in and out of our boats, or how to hold a paddle.  We would enjoy more information on identifying native species.  What to do when invasive species are found.  Offer wilderness education programs.  Programs that can be appreciated by the entire visiting community, not just paddlers. 

That's my rant for now.  I hope you will each find your own words and share them.