Preserve Seeking Public Comments on Proposed Trail Heads and Turn Lanes

Date: February 16, 2011
Contact: Damon Doumlele, 239-695-1158
Contact: Bob DeGross, 239-695-1107

The National Park Service (NPS) is proposing to develop eight off-road vehicle trail heads/access points throughout the Preserve and five turn lanes off U.S. 41. The trail heads are located at Turner River Road North, Windmill Tram, Skillet Strand North/ South, Monroe Station, Sig Walker, Pace’s Dike, and Boundary Line. Turn lanes would be located at Turner River Road, Burns Road, Skillet Strand, Monroe Station, and Oasis. Improvements at trail head locations would include aggregate parking surface for trailer and/or auto parking, single vault toilet, refuse containers, information boards, signage, gates, backcountry permit stations, sodding, and/or planting. In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act, the NPS is initiating work on an Environmental Assessment (EA) to evaluate potential impacts of the proposed project.

The NPS will hold a public scoping meeting on Wednesday, March 9, 2011, from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm, at the Big Cypress Swamp Welcome Center auditorium off U.S. 41 about 2.5 miles east of the State Road 29 intersection. Information will be provided regarding details of the proposal, and staff will be available to answer questions. The meeting will be held in an "open house" format. There will be a short introductory presentation at the beginning of the meeting, but the public is invited to visit at any point during the scheduled time to review materials and provide comments.

The Preserve is inviting public comments regarding potential issues and concerns that should be considered during the planning process. Comments can be provided at the meeting, by mail, or on-line. Before including an address, phone number, email address or other personal identifying information in your comment, you should be aware that your entire comment, including your personal identifying information, may be made publicly available at any time. While you can ask us in your comment to withhold your personal identifying information from public review, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so.

Comments by mail may be sent to: Superintendent, Big Cypress National Preserve, 33100 Tamiami Trail East, Ochopee, Florida 34141-1000. Comments may also be made on-line at the NPS Planning, Environment, and Public Comment website by clicking here.

Scoping comments are requested by March 15, 2011. Once the scoping period concludes, all comments submitted will be considered in the development of the alternatives and the EA. The public, agencies, and other interested parties will have an opportunity to review and comment on the EA.

We appreciate your input on this project.