ATV Proposal Sparks Debate in Big Cypress

>> FOR MORE STORIES ON SOUTHWEST FLORIDA. WATER QUALITY AND OTHER ENVIRONMENTAL STORIES. MAKE SURE YOU VISIT OUR WEBSITE WGCU DOT ORG. IT'S A DEBATE OVER PRESERVING LAND OR ALLOWING ALL-TERRAIN VEHICLES TO CRUISE THROUGH PARKS WGCU SENIOR ENVIRONMENTAL REPORTER TOM BAYLISS GOES IN DEPTH ABOUT WHAT'S AT STAKE >> THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE WANTS TO CHANGE A FEDERAL RULE THAT NOW PREVENTS IT FROM OPENING ADDITIONAL RECREATIONAL OFF-ROAD VEHICLE TRAILS IN THE BIG CYPRESS. IT WOULD NOT MEAN PEOPLE COULD SIMPLY DRIVE ANYWHERE. THEY WANT. BUT THIS IS HARDLY THE FIRST FIGHT OVER OFF-ROAD VEHICLES AND BIG CYPRESS AND MORE TRAILS. THE ARGUMENT CAME UP AGAIN WHEN THE PARK SERVICE MOVED TO OPEN MORE THAN A 140 MILES SECONDARY OFF-ROAD VEHICLE TRAILS IN THE TURNER RIVER AND CORN DANCE AREAS. THE CENTRE FOR BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY, SIERRA CLUB AND OTHER GROUPS SUED IN 2013. THEY SAID THE ADDITIONAL VEHICLE USE COULD DAMAGE WETLANDS AND VEGETATION CHANGE HOW WATER MOVES THROUGH THE SWAMP SPREAD INVASIVE PLANTS AND DISTURB WILDLIFE, INCLUDING THE ENDANGERED FLORIDA PANTHER. THE PARK SERVICE HAVE NOT COMPLETED THE ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW REQUIRED BEFORE REOPENING THEM AND ORDERED THE DISPUTED TRAILS CLOSED. A SETTLEMENT THE FOLLOWING YEAR CLOSED THE DISPUTED TRAILS. WELL, THE PARK SERVICE WENT BACK THROUGH THE ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW. NOW THE CENTER FOR BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY IS AGAIN. ALICE BENNETT IS THE CENTER'S FLORIDA AND CARIBBEAN DIRECTOR. >> THERE ARE VERY FEW PLACES WE HAVE LEFT IN FLORIDA THAT HAVE THE BENEFIT OF BEING CALLED PRESERVES. AND SO OUR REAL CONCERN HERE WAS, YOU KNOW, A DECISION AND AND AT THE SCALE AND THE LOCATIONS OF THE EXPANSION OF THIS OFF-ROAD VEHICLE USE. I WAS REALLY PRIORITIZING ONE KIND OF VERY IMPACTFUL RECREATIONAL USE OVER MANY OTHER INTERESTS THAT THE AMERICAN PUBLIC HAVE AND BIG CYPRESS AND THE PROTECTION OF OUR ENDANGERED AND THREATENED SPECIES AND HAVING THIS PLACE FOR THEM. >> SHE SAID TODAY THE ISSUE IS NOT WHETHER OFF-ROAD VEHICLES HAVE A HISTORY IN BIG CYPRESS. THEY DO. HER CONCERN IS ADDING MORE VEHICLE ACCESS TO A LANDSCAPE ALREADY UNDER PRESSURE. >> THE IDEA OF OPENING UP EVEN MORE OF THIS IMPACTFUL USE AND, YOU KNOW, RAISES RED FLAGS AND CONCERNS. HOW ARE THEY GOING TO MAKE SURE PEOPLE ARE STAYING ON THE TRAIL MAINTAINING THESE ROUTES, MAKING SURE PEOPLE ARE POACHING. IT IS A TALL TASK FOR AN UNDERFUNDED AND UNDERSTAFFED AGENCY. >> IN FACT, >> THERE ARE LINKS TO THE ACTUAL LISTING IN THE FEDERAL REGISTER ABOUT THIS. >> AND THE FORM FOR PEOPLE TO EXPRESS THEIR SUPPORT OR OPPOSITION AT WGCU DOT ORG.