The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working to conserve the natural resources and preserve the rural way of life in the Everglades Headwaters – the Kissimmee River Valley south of the Orlando area. A proposal is moving forward to purchase conservation easements on 100,000 acres and to purchase outright 50,000 acres – the Everglades Headwaters National Wildlife Refuge and Conservation Area.
Funding for these purchases is available from the Land and Water Conservation Fund with monies derived primarily from the sale of offshore oil leases. Public support is critical to ensure that the Everglades Headwaters receives approval in competition with proposals from other areas of the U.S. When the proposal was first announced, loud opposition was expressed by some airboaters, hunters and fisherman who would prefer that the land remain in private ownership. At recent public hearings, the ranching community has expressed their support. The Nature Conservancy has endorsed the proposal and is a partner in the effort.
More information is available at http://www.fws.gov/southeast/evergladesheadwaters/. A Questions document at http://www.fws.gov/southeast/evergladesheadwaters/pdf/EvergladesQuestions.pdf provides answers to common questions about the proposal in two pages.
The email address to provide your comments is EvergladesHeadwatersProposal@fws.gov. If you prefer to mail a paper copy of your comments, the postal address is listed on the main page of the website.
If you support this proposal, please send your comments including your name, address and phone number. The demonstrated public support is an critical factor when the key decision will be reached. You have the opportunity to play a part in the creation of this new refuge that protects the Everglades Headwaters. Do not let this slip away due to public apathy.
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