On the afternoon of Wednesday, December 5, in downtown Miami, the future of the Tamiami Trail and the Everglades Skyway will be at stake, and we need you there. One day before the 60th Anniversary of Everglades National Park, the Corps of Engineers will show state and federal representatives that its plan for opening up the heart of the Everglades is to do basically nothing (see info below).

I’m asking you to spend a little more than hour of your day on Wednesday, Dec. 5 to be at the Hyatt Regency, 400 SE 2nd Ave. (map) at 2 p.m. and after the Corps’ presentation, speak during the public comment session.

Speak for Florida Bay and the manatees, speak for Everglades National Park and its 68 endangered species, and speak for the water that nourishes them. Our leaders have failed us. Now we must lead.

What: Army Corps of Engineers’ Tamiami Trail presentation to the State/Federal Everglades Task Force

Where: Hyatt Regency Hotel, 300 SE Second Ave., Downtown Miami (map)

When: Wednesday, December 5, 2007, at 2 p.m. (Corps’ presentation scheduled for 2:35 p.m. but it may run early.)

Who: Skyway Coalition members and supporters

Background and Talking Points:

The U.S. Corps of Engineers’ solution to restoring flow to Tamiami Trail is sadly to carve out 60 football fields down to the limestone south of the culverts under Tamiami Trail. Top scientists say that this will not come close to achieving the needed water for the park required by Congress this summer by July 2008.

A proposal by Everglades National Park, the Blue Shanty plan, to build a 1 to 2 mile bridge that would achieve Congress’ mandate and be compatible with the 11 mile Skyway, is being discounted by the Corps citing inflated cost estimates.

The Corps should choose the Blue Shanty Plan. This plan: can be done for far less than the 2 mile-1 mile bridge plan rejected this summer provides transition to the Skyway, and provides the Congressionally-mandated amount of water across Tamiami Trail by July 1, 2008.

The public is tired of inaction. We’ve waited 20 years to complete the Mod Waters project. The Blue Shanty Plan gets us there and provides a path for the full Skyway.

From now until July 31st, the National Park Service is accepting public comments on a new management plan for Everglades National Park. This decision will determine the park’s management policy for the next 15 to 20 years. Please take a few minutes to read the Sierra Club’s position on this important issue and then send your comments in at the National Park Service’s website provided below.

See the Everglades newsletter & description, and the comment form to submit your thoughts.

The Sierra Club supports Alternative D. If you’d like to read the entire email sent from the Sierra Club, including their recommendations, follow the link below.

The Sierra Club supports Management Alternative D – the one management plan which puts the protection of the plants and animals of one of America’s most unique and threatened national parks up front and center. It will also provide for the enjoyment and usage of the entire park by a variety of visitors – both motorized and non-motorized – while still adhering to the official mission of the National Park Service as stated in the Organic Act of 1916 –

…to promote and regulate the use of the…national parks…which purpose is to conserve the scenery and the natural and historic objects and the wild life therein and to provide for the enjoyment of the same in such manner and by such means as will leave them unimpaired for the enjoyment of future generations.

-National Park Service Organic Act, 16 U.S.C.1.

The main points of Alternative D that you may want to include in your comments are summarized below – Florida Bay, the Gulf Coast and the Ten Thousand Islands – Alternative D provides access to shallow and vulnerable areas (3 foot depth or less – the average depth of Florida Bay) by paddling (canoes or kayaks), or by poling or electric trolling motors on larger boats. Use of gasoline power engines in designated and pre-existing deep water channels will continue to provide access to most of the bay and Gulf coast. (These channels were unfortunately omitted from the map and description provided in the newsletter and gave some the impression that almost the entire bay would be closed to power boat usage under Alternative D. We have consulted with the park administration on this point and this is definitely not the case.)

Gasoline powered boats can switch to alternative power – poling and electric trolling – while over identified shallow and sensitive areas where seagrass damage is known to have occurred. While we understand this may be seen as a sacrifice to some, this practice if enforced will greatly help protect the vulnerable seagrasses from damage by boat hulls, boat groundings, and propellers and also allow for much needed recovery. Studies have shown that this management practice can reduce damage to seagrass by up to 90 percent (see below).

The seagrasses are the source of virtually all life in Florida Bay and much of the Gulf Coast within the boundaries of Everglades National Park. Nearly every fish, bird, mammal, crustacean, insect, or micro-organism which inhabits this area depends upon seagrass as a source of food, shelter, a nursery for its young, or for prey. The narrow mangrove channels of the Gulf Coast and the Ten Thousand Islands are also a significant habitat for manatees – still on the Endangered Species List. They will also receive significant benefits from no gas motor access in one of their most important remaining habitats in south Florida.

The Wilderness Waterway – Alternative D provides for a non-motorized paddling route adjacent to the motorized one from Flamingo to Everglades City. This is a challenging 99 mile route for canoeists and kayakers which for many is a once in a lifetime experience of south Florida. The ability to be in contact with true wilderness away from the sounds, wakes and exhaust fumes of motor boats is an integral part of this important and historical section of Everglades National Park and should be provided for.

The East Everglades Expansion Area – Alternative D calls for the eventual phasing out of small private airboats (no permits other than by owners of record as of 1989 – no new permitting), the buyout by the National Park Service of three commercial airboat operations which run tours within the boundaries of Everglades National Park, and the creation of a new 106,000 acre wilderness area just west of Krome Avenue and south of Tamiami Trail – less than an hour from downtown Miami! Access and camping opportunities are to be provided for paddlers.

As this area is in the heart of Shark River Slough, the main source of water for most of the park, airboat trails are not to conflict with the terms of the Everglades Expansion and Protection Act which calls for the restoration of "the natural hydrological conditions within the park." The elimination of airboats from this area will greatly facilitate a return of the natural vegetation and hydrological flows, decrease stress on animal life (commercial airboats are enormous and loud twin engine ‘buses’) and provide visitors with a tranquil experience of the natural ecosystem that is very accessible to the dense urban populations on the east coast of Florida. Fishing opportunities south of Tamiami trail should improve as well as a result of this decision.

East Everglades is a great representation of the ‘classic everglades’ sawgrass and alligator marsh habitat and ridge and slough topology (low wet areas interspersed with higher tree hammocks). New visitor access in terms of canoe and kayak rental concessions, walking trails and boardwalks will be constructed to allow for non-damaging usages of the area by tourists and residents alike.

The buyout of the airboat concessions will also make it easier for the eventual construction of the Tamiami Trail Skyway. This eleven mile elevated roadway has been identified by the Army Corps of Engineers as the optimal method for restoring sheetflow into the main body of Everglades National Park. It is very much supported by the Sierra Club.

The Skyway campaign has been building and the Coalition is growing every day. Our most recent endorsers are the City of Miami Gardens, Town of Miami Lakes, ChamberSouth, the Miami Lakes and Green Thumb Garden Clubs and the Builders Association of South Florida, bringing our list of supporters up to 36!

This Thursday, February 22nd is the next big day for the Everglades Skyway. We will be going before the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) of Miami-Dade County to get their support through a resolution. The MPO has discussed the Skyway before, at their December meeting, where there was much support for the idea, but a vote was not taken.

At the December meeting, the members of the Board of Directors were encouraged by the 25 or so Skyway Supporters that were in the audience, identified by large blue buttons stating “Build the Skyway.” We need just as many supporters in the audience on February 22nd. The MPO meets in the County Commission chambers on the 2nd floor of the Clark Government Center, at 111 NW 1st Street, in downtown Miami. (map) The meeting begins at 2:00pm and is not expected to go longer than 2 hours.

The Skyway is a key project in moving Everglades Restoration forward and we must get the support of the MPO in order to take the next step in the campaign. If you are interested in attending the meeting on February 22nd, or would like more information, please contact Kristina Trotta or visit www.build-the-skyway.com.

My friends over at the Sierra Club and Clean Water Action have asked me to help gather people to attend a meeting on Thursday at 2pm at the Stephen P Clark Center downtown.

This Thursday, December 7^th, an important step is being taken to create a Skyway like the one depicted in the picture above.  The Metropolitan Planning Organization of Miami-Dade County will be voting on a resolution of support for the Everglades Skyway.  This board creates the Transportation Plan for Miami-Dade County, and their support is key to moving the Skyway Project forward.  This is an important meeting, and we need the MPO to see the public’s support.

The agenda for the MPO meeting can be found here. The item is number 5.A.1. To show your support for the Everglades Skyway during this meeting, simply show up…for as little or as long as you can stay. Supporters will be wearing BUILD THE SKYWAY buttons in the audience.

The meeting will be held in the Miami-Dade Commission Chambers in the Stephen Clark Government Center, at 111 NW 1^st Street in Downtown Miami, and will begin at 2pm.  Please come to show your support – the Skyway needs you! 

The Everglades Invade the City by Edwin Villasmil & Elba Martinez
September 28 – February 28, 2007
West Dade Regional Library

Artists/activists/educators Villasmil and Martinez have created a fairytale world of line drawings, sculptural installations, and graphic novel-style storytelling that parallels Marjory Stoneman Douglas’ River of Grass and recounts the natural, social, and cultural history of the Everglades.

Why the Skyway is important, from Build-the-Skyway.com:

Tamiami Trail (US highway 41) cuts through Shark River Slough, one of the Everglades’ deepest and most important water passageways. Scientists say this 11-mile section of the 1928 road must be elevated into a “skyway” if Everglades restoration is to succeed. The skyway will be an important first step in returning the historic water sheet flow through parched Everglades National Park and into Florida Bay. It will be beneficial to wildlife by reducing habitat fragmentation and preventing road kill. The project will create jobs and increase tourism while raising Everglades awareness at the same time. Best yet, an 11-mile skyway will serve as a visible symbol of Everglades restoration; a real benefit to the floundering project. The Sierra Club believes that Everglades restoration cannot happen without the full 11-mile skyway.

The following is a description of the Summit, written by Kristina Trotta of Sierra Club.

On Thursday, September 21st, the Biltmore Hotel in Coral Gables was the setting for the Everglades Skyway Summit, a one day conference that brought together representatives from the business community, government agencies and environmental organizations to discuss the Everglades Skyway – the best solution for restoring our Everglades.

The room was full as Rebecca Smith, a curator at the Historical Museum of South Florida, spoke about the rich history of the Tamiami Trail. She was followed by Dr. Richard Weisskoff, an economics professor at the University of Miami who told the crowd about the economics of the Everglades. Dr. Luis Prieto, a civil engineering professor at Florida International University later spoke on the role that bridges have played through world history. He discussed the mechanics of building the Skyway and how the structure would have significant meaning for the Miami-Dade community. Jonathan Ullman of the Sierra Club gave an overview of how all of these pieces – history, economics and engineering can all come together in our campaign to build the Everglades Skyway.

The day wrapped up with the keynote speaker, Senator Bob Smith, president of the Everglades Foundation. The Senator gave the call to action, encouraging all of the participants to contact decision makers and to work to see an 11-mile Skyway become a reality. His speech was impassioned and left the attendees with the feeling that they must do their part to get the Skyway built.

Although many were unsure of what to expect at the beginning of the day, the series of speakers gave a sense that the Skyway is attainable and that this is the campaign to get involved with. All participants were given an opportunity to join in on the excitement by endorsing the campaign and to take part in the subcommittees of the Everglades Skyway Coalition – politics, community and business.

For more information on the Everglades Skyway project, visit Build-the-Skyway.com and Sierra Club.

"The winning photo will become the image featured on the 2008 "Federal Recreational Lands Pass." In addition, the Grand Prize Winner will receive a Ford Escape Hybrid SUV; a 5-day, 4-night trip for four including airfare to a federal recreation area of the winner’s choice, a CASIO Exilim Zoom Camera; and a one-year Federal Recreational Lands Pass."

So what are some of the areas locally that are included in the contest requirements? Big Cypress National Preserve, Biscayne National Park, and Everglades National Park just to name a few. See Recreation.gov for a complete listing of Florida parks, but make sure that the park listed is part of one of the following: National Park Service, Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Bureau of Reclamation, and U.S. Forest Service.

Amateurs only! Three photos per person, deadline is end of 2006.

Via – AutoblogGreen

The first public meeting was held in Homestead last week, and we understand it was a great success. In the Herald article covering the meeting quotes Homestead Council member Judy Waldman, "The lengthy, multipurpose trail system — slated to run through Homestead, Florida City and other communities — would be the first of its kind in the country."

Sara Fain of the NPCA Suncoast Office tells us, "The presentation was well down and explained what they hope to accomplish with this greenway down in South Dade. The next step is raising all the funds needed to really get it done, but the commitment is definitely there."

The actual path has yet to be decided, with options of following existing canals or running through the downtown centers.

The deadline to review and comment on the project is Friday, July 14, 2006. The details on how to do so, as well as much more detailed information is available from the City of Homestead.

RC’s thoughts: I think this is a great idea. I didn’t get to attend the meeting, but support the concept 100%. I used to live in Denver, where a huge interconnected system of bike trails could bring you from way out in the suburbs (and beyond) into the city center and farther. It’s not just great for people, either. Creating a continuous greenspace allows animals and wildlife a safe habitat as well.

Each speaker discussed briefly why they are against moving the UDB. Reasons focused on two areas: 1) take care of the people and existing parts of the county first, and 2) save the environment.

Now, something I really wanted to understand before leaving this event was exactly what the current details are so that I can do my homework before the meeting tomorrow. There have been many revisions to the original, but here is the real deal:

Applications 5, 6, 7, 11, 23, and 24 will still be considered, and this is what the focus of the meeting starting tomorrow is all about. To read the 153-page document from the Planning Board, click on the text near the top of this Hold the Line page.

A quick rundown of the locations: #5 – Hialeah (apparently there was some potential discussion of putting the Marlins here, which has some fans upset with us), #6 – Doral, #7 West Dade, #11 – West Kendall (this one includes housing, others are mainly office, business, and industrial requests), #23 & #24 – South Dade.

Catch some sound bites from today’s press conference on the news tonight. Check out these stations that attended. CBS 4, NBC 6, Univision 23.

Don’t Forget: If you want to support the Denial of these applications to move the UDB line, come out in your GREEN shirt tomorrow, April 18, around 9:00 am. Stephen P. Clark center (Government Center metrorail/mover. Ground floor. Go through security gate for visitors and to the 2nd floor meeting room.) Meeting starts at 9:30am. If you can’t make it on-time, still come…I’m sure we’ll be there all day!

Update: See recent articles on the topic: Now isn’t the time, Moving beyond talk, If you go, Battle nears end.

Also, see the agenda for the meeting. Non-UDB items will be heard first (1, 2, 3, 4, 15, 20, 21, 22). (Please understand that this might take a little while…I have no idea how long. If you can, I’m sure the HTL campaign would still appreciate everyone arriving from the beginning of the meeting. But again, better late than never.)

If you can not go, you can watch the proceedings live on Miami-Dade TV or try viewing it on your computer with the county’s live webcast.