Dams in Cape Sable region

[Ted]

I received the below email from NPS, just putting up here as well.

Dear Friends of Everglades National Park:

The National Park Service (NPS) is beginning an Environmental Assessment (EA) for the evaluation of dams on four waterways - House Ditch, Slagle Ditch, Raulerson Canal, and East Side Creek - in the Cape Sable region of the Park. The purpose of this project is to provide sustainable solutions to canal-induced saltwater intrusion and degradation of the interior freshwater and brackish marshes in order to reestablish the natural function of the Marl Ridge and restore the Cape Sable region to a more natural state.

The NPS is seeking public input on the environmental issues, concerns and alternatives to be considered in the EA.  A scoping newsletter with project details is attached for your review. The EA will evaluate the potential environmental impacts of several dam alternatives, including a No-Action Alternative. 

We encourage you to submit comments on the project web site at this link:

 

http://parkplanning.nps.gov/documentsOpenForReview.cfm?parkID=374&projectID=56562

 

Comments may also be submitted by mail to:

Pedro M. Ramos, Superintendent
Subject: Cape Sable Dams Restoration -
Phase II EA
Everglades National Park Headquarters
40001 State Road 9336
Homestead, FL 33034-6733

[Gary M]

If you want to see the engineering firms assessment of the situation, it can be found here:

http://audubonoffloridanews.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/Cape%20S...

[Jay]

Mule or pack horse delivery of construction materials?  Give me a break.

[vivian]

Those poor animals might not survive the bugs, crocs and pythons. I read through it and given the cost and likely hood of future water level rise, alternative 2 for house and slagle make more sense. I could not believe how large the Raulersons canal has widened. I like alternatives 4 or 5 that still allow water flow in and out of the area and paddle craft access. The East Creek is much more complicated. I doubt anything will happen anytime soon. Wouldn't it be nice if a canoe trail could be established and would be part of the solution?