Tomorrow is the last day to comment on the ENP GMP

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Tomorrow is the last day to comment on the ENP GMP

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Started 8 years ago by spiritwalker
Latest reply from Whirlwind

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spiritwalker
Member
Tomorrow is the last day to comment on the ENP GMP. The current GMP will require an education permit in order to paddle in the park. If you don't make your voice heard to oppose this then you will most likely need a permit in order to paddle the WW portion of the EC.

This Sunday, May 12 will be the last day you will be able to comment on the Everglades National Park General Management Plan. This plan was last update over 30 years ago. There are 4 alternatives for the GMP and below is a link a PDF summary of said alternatives.

http://parkplanning.nps.gov/showFile.cfm?projectID=11170&docType=public&MIMEType=application%252Fpdf&filename=EVER%5F%2D%5FSummary%5Fof%5Fkey%5Fdifferences%5Famong%5Fthe%5Falternatives%5F%28FEB2013%29%2Epdf&clientFilename=EVER%5F%2D%5FSummary%5Fof%5Fkey%5Fdifferences%5Famong%5Fthe%5Falternatives%5F%28FEB2013%29%2Epdf

The various paddling organizations in South Florida supports the NPS Preferred Alternative but we are strongly opposed to “Boater Education Permit Requirement. This permit would be required to operate a vessel (including paddled craft) in the park.

Below provides additional information and recommendations. If you’re not interested in reading the rest then please go to the bottom of this page to the comments link to support NPS Preferred Alternative but no to “Boater Education Permit Requirements.

PROS
- Paddling trail accessibility would be improved, including for persons with disabilities
- Paddle launch sites along the main park road would be improved
- Commercial services and facilities for Flamingo (overnight accommodations)
- Three additional chickees will be added to Florida Bay
- Canoe/Kayak launches would be provided along Tamiami Trail, allowing for both short and long distance paddling opportunities.
- As many as eight new backcountry chickees would be provided.
CONS
- Implementation of a mandatory boater education permit that would be required in order to paddle in the park. THIS MUST BE OPPOSED! This education should be voluntarily and not mandatory.
ADDITIONAL RECOMMENDATIONS
- Alternative 2 option for Little Maderia Bay, Joe Bay, and Adjacent Water Bodies. After being closed for more than 20 years, Joe Bay would be reopened for paddling use only (and managed as the backcountry area). Little Maderia Bay and adjacent smaller water bodies would be in the pole/troll zone. Fishing would be allowed in these areas.
- To help promote long distance paddling opportunities from Tamiami Trail we recommend the below abandoned science platforms to camping platforms (similar to chickees without a bathroom)
- West of Gumbo Limbo (25°37.272'N+80°45.036'W)
- SE of Gumbo Limbo (25°36.125'N+ 80° 44.498'W)
- South Shark Slough (25° 31.705'N+ 80° 47.728'W)
- Craighead (25° 13.792'N+ 80° 42.318'W)
- Officially acknowledging Charley Creek, Gabbage Creek, the north creek out of Canepatch, the north creek out of Willy Willy and the Lost Portage as part of the Wilderness Waterway Complex. These passages are well known, well used and most are even described in WW books, they need to be included in the official maintenance schedule and not relied on by rogue boaters.
For reference below are link to some maps showing NPS Preferred Alternative
- NPS Preferred Alternative Map 103.pdf, 312 KB
- NPS Preferred Alternative Map 105.pdf, 505 KB
Below is a link to comment section of the ENP GMP. Let you voice be heard because 30 years is a long time until the next GMP review.

http://parkplanning.nps.gov/commentForm.cfm?documentID=51890
Posted 8 years ago #
spiritwalker
Member
spiritwalker wrote:

Tomorrow is the last day to comment on the ENP GMP. The current GMP will require an education permit in order to paddle in the park. If you don't make your voice heard to oppose this then you will most likely need a permit in order to paddle the WW portion of the EC.

This Sunday, May 12 will be the last day you will be able to comment on the Everglades National Park General Management Plan. This plan was last update over 30 years ago. There are 4 alternatives for the GMP and below is a link a PDF summary of said alternatives.

http://parkplanning.nps.gov/showFile.cfm?projectID=11170&docType=public&MIMEType=application%252Fpdf&filename=EVER%5F%2D%5FSummary%5Fof%5Fkey%5Fdifferences%5Famong%5Fthe%5Falternatives%5F%28FEB2013%29%2Epdf&clientFilename=EVER%5F%2D%5FSummary%5Fof%5Fkey%5Fdifferences%5Famong%5Fthe%5Falternatives%5F%28FEB2013%29%2Epdf

The various paddling organizations in South Florida supports the NPS Preferred Alternative but we are strongly opposed to “Boater Education Permit Requirement. This permit would be required to operate a vessel (including paddled craft) in the park.

Below provides additional information and recommendations. If you’re not interested in reading the rest then please go to the bottom of this page to the comments link to support NPS Preferred Alternative but no to “Boater Education Permit Requirements.

PROS

Paddling trail accessibility would be improved, including for persons with disabilities

Paddle launch sites along the main park road would be improved

Commercial services and facilities for Flamingo (overnight accommodations)

Three additional chickees will be added to Florida Bay

Canoe/Kayak launches would be provided along Tamiami Trail, allowing for both short and long distance paddling opportunities.

As many as eight new backcountry chickees would be provided.

CONS

Implementation of a mandatory boater education permit that would be required in order to paddle in the park. THIS MUST BE OPPOSED! This education should be voluntarily and not mandatory.

ADDITIONAL RECOMMENDATIONS

Alternative 2 option for Little Maderia Bay, Joe Bay, and Adjacent Water Bodies. After being closed for more than 20 years, Joe Bay would be reopened for paddling use only (and managed as the backcountry area). Little Maderia Bay and adjacent smaller water bodies would be in the pole/troll zone. Fishing would be allowed in these areas.

To help promote long distance paddling opportunities from Tamiami Trail we recommend the below abandoned science platforms to camping platforms (similar to chickees without a bathroom)

West of Gumbo Limbo (25°37.272'N+80°45.036'W)

SE of Gumbo Limbo (25°36.125'N+ 80° 44.498'W)

South Shark Slough (25° 31.705'N+ 80° 47.728'W)

Craighead (25° 13.792'N+ 80° 42.318'W)

Officially acknowledging Charley Creek, Gabbage Creek, the north creek out of Canepatch, the north creek out of Willy Willy and the Lost Portage as part of the Wilderness Waterway Complex. These passages are well known, well used and most are even described in WW books, they need to be included in the official maintenance schedule and not relied on by rogue boaters.

For reference below are link to some maps showing NPS Preferred Alternative

NPS Preferred Alternative Map 103.pdf, 312 KB

NPS Preferred Alternative Map 105.pdf, 505 KB

Below is a link to comment section of the ENP GMP. Let you voice be heard because 30 years is a long time until the next GMP review.

http://parkplanning.nps.gov/commentForm.cfm?documentID=51890
Posted 8 years ago #
Chief
Coastal Vagabond

It was sort of hard for me to figure out from these posts exactly what the issue is or what I should say about it. I admit to a bit of PTSD, ADD, ADHD, and a bit of Dyslexia thrown in when dealing with government bureaucracies.

I filled out the form putting WaterTribe, Inc. in as the company. Any of you are welcome to do that and then select member.

I said that I supported the NPS Preferred Alternative but strongly opposed the “Boater Education Permit Requirements" because I had been boating for a few decades and did not need boater education because I already practice safe boating and Leave No Trace.

I added a few other comments regarding the need for less restrictions on responsible citizens. I tried to keep these comments respectful.

Posted 8 years ago #
Paddlemaker
Member

I also filed my comments supporting the NPS Preferred Alternative. I am personally not convinced that the Boater Education Permit Requirement is a bad thing. As a paddler who stays at Everglades Campsites during the EC as well as other times during the year, I already have to register. I look forward to the conversations with the NPS staff, as I find they are very knowledgeable about the routes and choices available give the current weather conditions. In part such a requirement fits in well with Water tribes mission of promoting boat safety and the Leave no trace philosophy. It is no different that the mandatory gear inspection requirement of the Watertribe.

Posted 8 years ago #
TriBlue
Member

I have chimed in as well... basically what Chief said... however I also tend to agree with Paddlemaker, IF they would keep this mandatory program/course very brief AND very easily accessed and completed, say as easy as obtaining the current back country camping permit (and available at least at the same locations) then maybe this is not so bad of an idea!

But then, as Chief said, "less restrictions on responsible citizens " is almost always the better route.

Don

Posted 8 years ago #
Whirlwind
Member

The mandatory education element is different than a permit. It means you have to take a paddling class BEFORE YOU ARE ALLOWED TO LEGALLY PADDLE in the park. The park has no standing, experience or benefit from such a mandatory program. Next time you race you may have to wait a few hours so you can take a class that teaches you how to get in you boat, wear a life jacket, don't run into the mangrove. Really? Its not meaningful, informative, or helpful. Just expensive. We should not be sacrificed for the sake of appeasing disgruntled motor boaters who are now losing even more access.

Posted 8 years ago #

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