Contact: Fred Herling, Park Planner, 305-242-7704 Contact: General Park Information, 305-242-7700 Contact: Mary Plumb, Public Affairs Officer (Acting), 305-242-7714
Everglades National Park is hosting a series of public meetings to facilitate public comment on its Draft General Management Plan / East Everglades Wilderness Study / Environmental Impact Statement (Draft GMP). The Draft GMP was released February 27 for public review, and public comment is requested by Sunday, May 12, 2013. Seven (7) public meetings will be held the evenings of March 19 - 21 and April 8 - 11, 2013 (5:30 to 8:30 p.m.; the April 8 meeting will also be webcast). The meetings will be organized in three parts: · Open House - opportunities for the public to review Draft GMP materials, meet with National Park Service (NPS) staff, and provide comments · NPS Presentation - overview of key features of the Draft GMP · Formal Comment/East Everglades Wilderness Hearing - comment session that allows the public to comment on the Draft GMP and the East Everglades Wilderness Study (session will be transcribed) The Draft GMP provides broad guidance and describes desired conditions to be achieved and maintained regarding natural and cultural resource protection, appropriate types and levels of visitor activities, and facility improvements and development. Also included is a wilderness study for the East Everglades Addition (an area added to the park in 1989, after the park's original 1978 wilderness designation). The Draft GMP is available for review and comment at:https://parkplanning.nps.gov/ EVER(then go to the "Open for Comment" link). A limited number of paper copies and compact disks (CDs) of the plan are also available upon request by contacting Everglades National Park at 305-242-7700. After the public review and comment period ends on May 12, public input will be reviewed and analyzed, and adjustments to the plan will be made. The Final GMP and Record of Decision will be issued in 2014. Schedule of Public Meetings (all 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.):
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Last updated: April 14, 2015