Final Input Sought on Biscayne National Park Management Plan

Date: September 4, 2014
Contact: Carissa DeCramer, 786-335-3616

Biscayne National Park is completing its General Management Plan. A wealth of information and input was provided over the past ten years. The park is hosting public workshops to provide updates on the planning efforts and receive focused input on three alternatives. All interested parties are invited to attend any of three identical public workshops as follows:

• September 22, 6–9 PM - Florida Pioneer Museum, 826 South Krome Avenue, Florida City
• September 23, 6–9 PM - Newman Alumni Center, University of Miami, 6200 San Amaro Drive, Coral Gables
• September 24, 6–9 PM - Holiday Inn Key Largo, 99701 Overseas Highway, Key Largo

"The planning workshops are your best opportunity for small group discussion on alternatives 4, 6 and 7" said Superintendent Brian Carlstrom. "We look forward to sharing additional information on these alternatives and working with you as we complete this important step of the planning effort."

The park recently presented two new plan alternatives developed in consultation with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Public comments and requests for further clarification focused primarily on the size, location and need for a potential special recreation zone, number of fishing permits, expanded education and law enforcement, visitor access and safety, and economic impacts. In the upcoming public workshops the park will provide additional information relevant to the proposed zones and provide an opportunity for small, focused group discussion on alternatives 4, 6 and 7. A full summary of all public comments will be released with the Final General Management Plan Environmental Impact Statement.

The three alternatives to be discussed at the workshop include the two new alternatives (6 and 7) presented in 2013 and alternative 4, presented in 2011. Each of the alternatives contains different management options for a marine reserve zone or a special recreation zone.

Please visit https://parkplanning.nps.gov/BISC_GMP to submit specific comments about the three alternatives and for more information on the management plan, including the latest general management plan newsletter. For more information about Biscayne National Park, please visit the park website at www.nps.gov/bisc, or follow the park on Facebook at www.facebook.com/biscaynenps, or Twitter at www.twitter.com/biscaynenps.