News Release

Everglades National Park seeks public input on Environmental Assessment for Shark Valley Site Plan Project

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News Release Date: February 9, 2022
Contact: Allyson Gantt (Media), 786-610-8023
Contact: Tatiana Marquez (Project), 305-224-7821

HOMESTEAD, Florida – The National Park Service (NPS) today announced the release of the Environmental Assessment (EA) for the Shark Valley Site Plan. The EA is available for review and comment through March 11.

Everglades National Park proposes to enhance visitor experience, safety and park operations at Shark Valley by providing on-site overflow parking, installing shade structures along the Shark Valley Tram Road and reducing flooding at the Entrance Road, Tram Road and the Administration Complex.

The EA evaluates two action alternatives, describes the environment that would be affected by the alternatives and assesses the environmental consequences of implementing the alternatives. Under the no-action alternative, the NPS would maintain the existing conditions at Shark Valley.

Under the proposed action, which has been identified as the preferred alternative, an overflow parking lot with 95 standard parking spaces and six bus/RV parking spaces would be located immediately north of the Visitor Center. Using a portion of the remaining Old Tamiami Trail, a small parking lot of 10 standard parking spaces would be added east of the Entrance Road to provide after-hours parking when the entrance gate is closed. The Administrative Complex, Entrance Road and portions of the Tram Road would be raised to reduce flooding. Two shade structures would be provided along the eastern portion of the Tram Road for bicyclists and hikers to enhance visitor experience.

The public can review the EA and submit written comments on the NPS Planning, Environment and Public Comment (PEPC) website at https://parkplanning.nps.gov/sharkvalley.

We invite the public to comment on this EA during the public review period through March 11. The preferred method of providing comments is through the project website under “Open For Comment.” Comments may also be mailed to the address below:  

Everglades National Park
Attn: Tatiana Marquez, Shark Valley Site Plan EA
40001 State Road 9336
Homestead, FL 33034

Mailed comments should be postmarked no later than March 11.

For more information or questions about the proposed plan, contact Park Planner Tatiana Marquez at 305-224-7821 or [e-mail].

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A submerged portion of the Shark Valley Tram Road.

NPS photo