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A recent, first-time visit to the Florida Everglades, along with the opportunity to read the March 20th edition of Everglades Echo , made it quite clear that this fascinating tract of land is not immune from nasty political hassles and intrusive government. In reality it should be a haven from controversy.

Russell Tuff, Echo Publisher, stated in his column that it would be fun to watch the strategy of the National Park and Fish and Wildlife Services in accumulating larger budgets, grasping more power, and pushing their weight around, if it did not have such a drastic effect on so many lives. He noted that, if it is any consolation, we are not alone, since it is just as drastic in other parts of the United States.

One of the front page articles in this issue of the Echo, entitled "ORV access not resolved," illustrates how strained relations have become. For one year local groups have been trying to work out a plan with the Park Service for the regulation of off-road vehicles in the Big Cypress National Preserve. They contend that the traditional activities such as fishing, hunting, and trapping, along with access by air boats and swamp buggies were guaranteed to continue after the Preserve was created. The Service had other thoughts and their regulations were so restrictive, and arbitrary and capricious, that even some of the most avid environmentalists are up in arms.

A case was made that when Big Cypress was created in 1974 it was designated a preserve, not a park, and that it should be managed accordingly. It would seem that with the acquisition of 729,000 acres, it would be an easy matter satisfy all interests. Public lands must be dedicated to the uses for which they were purchased. Unfortunately, federal agencies do not seem to be bound by such trifling. The most flagrant abuse is the U.S. Forest Service ignoring the fact that National Forests were acquired to guarantee an adequate supply of wood.

It is unfortunate that efforts to sit down and in a gentlemanly way work out sensible ORV regulations for Big Cypress failed. A suit has been brought and it is now in the hands of the courts. Why is it that government agencies so often are allowed to ignore public sentiment and exercise their great desire to lock up so much acreage in their kingdoms? If an area such as the Everglades is indeed a true treasure, why should they not desire for all to see it and use it?

On a positive note it was comforting not to have to stop and pay a fee to travel on Route 44 or I-75 through federal lands. Of course, this is not the case when one desires to travel from northern Wyoming to Idaho or Montana through Yellowstone Park on roads clearly marked on maps as state and federal highways.

Naturally, when one visits the Everglades they hope to be rewarded with the sight of an alligator. Expectations were greatly exceeded, with over 100 individuals spotted while traversing the Tamiami Trail. It would appear that this road. rather than I-75 should have been given the designation, Alligator Alley. While talking with people in Everglades City, the feeling was that the abundance of gators along this route could be attributed to the extreme drought conditions that prevailed. Since alligators do not swim well on top of saw grass, the canals that exist adjacent to the highway provide a needed refuge.

Maybe it is a good thing that someone dug these canals, although they were not designed for alligators. They resulted years ago from efforts, mainly futile, to turn the Everglades into productive farmland. Since the region experiences extreme drought and flood seasons and is so flat, there are few in the way of permanent water bodies. This is clearly evident when looking at a road map of Florida. Except for the bays in the very southwestern corner, which are mainly saltwater, the only water bodies that show up are the reclamation canals.

In light of the number of these swamp dwellers that were seen and the recognized need for population controls, it is difficult to imagine why they were ever listed as an endangered species. Maybe decisions were made when there was a superabundance of water.

Mention should be made of another Everglades denizen whose designation as endangered is subject to question and which has caused much controversy. The Florida panther is taxonomically the same critter that roams the mountains of the West, and it incidentally is quite secure. Great lengths are being taken to protect the eastern population. High fences have been erected all along the interstate and on sections of State Highway 29. The intent is to funnel panther traffic through culverts under the roads. The question arises as to whether anyone knows the effects of motor vehicle mortality on population levels. Environmentalists who believe that such megafauna require large home ranges must be disturbed over the possible effects of the disruption of movement patterns.

Now the Park Service and Big Cypress are receiving much needed help from the volunteer group Student Conservation Association, since like most governmental agencies, they are understaffed. Really now. The operation has the ring of a Americorp operation, which probably ends up costing more that the hiring of permanent employees. They will live and work out of what is described as a primitive camp, replete with an office, and a larger building with a kitchen, shower facility and common area. Certainly no Holiday Inn.

From the sounds of things, they will spend most of their time restoring the ecosystem by picking up litter and destroying decaying buildings. One of the staff was quoted as saying these volunteers will be well-positioned to join the next generation of conservation leaders. Yes, this might be the case with their experience handling the garbage and trash created by other people.

Despite what has been said, the Everglades are certainly worth visiting. Make sure that you try the oyster "Po Boys" that are served on a deck overlooking the bay in Everglades City. They are part of the intrigue.

Nate Dickinson April 2001