Refuge is a Bad Idea..Better Options for Sportsmen

The Proposed Everglades Headwaters National Wildlife Refuge
A Bad Idea for Florida Sportsmen

Over the past few months there have been ramblings from D.C. and beyond about the need for a National Wildlife Refuge in Florida on approximately 150,000 acres of farm and ranch land between Orlando and Lake Okeechobee. Now a plan has been released.

After a number of scoping meetings throughout the area in question, there seems to be several issues which when mentioned alone cause apprehension, but when combined with the rest of them can only lead folks to say pass on such an expensive undertaking, especially in today's economic climate.

1. Other Options Are Available

Initially, the conservation easements are meant for the large landowners. Without question, once this land is placed under a Federal heading such a refuge, the landowner will in fact lose some control over the property. There are a number of Federal programs that could help these farmers with easements etc. without having to place the property inside the boundaries of a refuge or having it fall under the auspices of the USFWS or the Federal Government and its litany of red tape, bureaucracy and rules.

Under the 1997 Refuge Improvement Act, existing compatible wildlife dependent recreational uses (i.e. hunting etc) shall continue on an interim basis pending the completion of the comprehensive conservation plan for a new refuge. Thus any lands which become part of the refuge would continue be recreated or used in the same manner upon creation, however it would not ensure that it would stay open since that determination gets made in the CCP, subject to NEPA and is also subject to funding limitations. Things such as how the land is used, what practices are used and such simple issues as hunting leases which generate revenue, could be limited, eliminated or affected by such things as NEPA, the Endangered Species Act and other regulations.

2. History of Refuges in Florida

In Florida, there has already been ample opportunities to evaluate access for sportsmen on refuges. Without question, in Florida, the UWFWS has been extremely restrictive when compared to the more hunter friendly Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission. As an example, in Merritt Island, there are limitations on access in several different ways: 1) time and day restrictions (no afternoon hunting, certain days of the week etc.); 2) elimination of and/or limitations on the use of mechanical conveyances within the refuge (no airboats and/or mud motors/longtail engines); and 3) Only small sections the refuge open to hunting. This example is repeated at all the Florida refuges where duck hunting is allowed including Loxahatchee Refuge and Ten Thousand Islands. Some refuges do not permit hunting at all.

The problems are not limited to just duck hunting, but other types of hunting as well. In fact USFWS has refused to allow hunting on the Florida Panther National Wildlife Refuge just north of Alligator Alley in Collier County (although allowed by law). They have removed Off-Road vehicles for hunting in the Picayune Strand State Forest restoration project and destroyed the true Florida panther with a cross-bred cat that has eliminated the feral hog and is now eliminating the white-tailed deer in the Big Cypress National Preserve to the point that areas for deer hunting have been closed as the problem continues to spread.

3. We Know the Eventual Outcome

Lake Wales Ridge National Wildlife Refuge in Highlands County serves as the best example of what can surely occur if this refuge gets any farther...land that once open is closed. As the Refuge's very own website indicates, its closed to public use. If fact the website states "There is no public access". No hiking, camping, bird watching etc.
http://www.fws.gov/refuges/profiles/index.cfm?id=41577
http://www.fws.gov/refuges/profiles/recEdMore.cfm?ID=41577

This is a small refuge of a few thousand acres which compared to the 150,000 acres of proposed refuge is a nullity, but yet if the USFWS can’t even open this parcel and/or obtain funding for staff etc., how can the public believe a bigger and more costly to maintain project will have better access?

By admission, even if the properties were acquired by USFWS, they would have to be additional funding sources for staff and maintenance. In essence, the property could be acquired and placed into Federal Control, but left closed due to lack of funding for staff, equipment and other necessary items. Moreover, we already know there is already a maintenance backlog for existing properties nationwide.

4. Loss of Tax Revenues by the Counties

With the land falling into federal control, there is an absolute loss of tax revenue for the counties and municipalities. Once again, we have history on our side. For example, when the Picayune Strand and Ten Thousand Islands were taken over by the Federal government, Collier County lost tax revenue. To date, the federal government has not fulfilled its promise to reimburse the counties for lost revenue.

5. State is better partner

FWC is a much better steward of these lands as they are local and know the areas. They already do a great job on millions of acres of state lands. The state provides better access, facilities and more recreational opportunities than the USFWS could ever dream of or hope to provide under the best of circumstances.

This is a work in progress and is just a sample of why this isn't all its cracked up to be.