Everglades National Park Hosting Public Meetings on Long Term Vision for the Park

Date: March 15, 2013
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.):

#	Date	Address/Phone
1.	Tuesday, March 19, 2013	John D. Campbell Agricultural Center 18710 SW 288thStreet Homestead, FL 33030 305-248-3311
2.	Wednesday, March 20, 2013	Coral Shores High School (Auditorium) 89901 Old Highway Islamorada, FL 33036 305-853-3222
3.	Thursday, March 21, 2013	Everglades City School (Auditorium/Cafeteria) 415 School Drive Everglades City, FL 34139 239-377-9800
4.	Monday, April 8, 2013*	Int'l Game and Fish Association - Fishing Hall of Fame (1stfloor Auditorium) 300 Gulfstream Way Dania Beach, FL 33004 954-922-4212
5.	Tuesday, April 9, 2013	Edison State College, Collier Campus - Building J (east end of campus) 7007 Lely Cultural Parkway Naples, Florida 34113 239-732-3707
6.	Wednesday, April 10, 2013	Monroe County (Murray Nelson) Government Center (1stfloor Auditorium) 102050 Overseas Highway Key Largo, FL 33037 305-852-7161
7.	Thursday, April 11, 2013	Florida International University (Stadium Club - part of Football Stadium) 11200 SW 8thStreet (Stadium address: 11310 SW 17thStreet) Miami, FL 33199 305-348-4828