Biscayne Bay National Park
CCA Florida has issued a Grassroots Alert in response to the latest draft management plan for Biscayne National Park, which is now available for public comment.
The National Park Service preferred alternative proposes a special recreation zone (SRZ), presented as Alternatives 6 and 7.
In Alternative 6, preferred by the park, the SRZ would include year-round fishing with a special permit required and specific fishing restrictions. Alternative 7, similar to alternative 6, would eliminate the permitting system in favor of closing the SRZ to fishing from June through September.
CCA Florida urges all concerned anglers to comment and urge the NPS to increase the number of SRZ permits, set aside a number of permits for shared use including seasonal or split day access and require that permits which are not used within an established time be available for reassignment. Additionally the prohibition on anchoring should not be implemented until funding and installation of mooring buoys is undertaken. Through transit should also be allowed for anglers who have legally taken fish outside the SRZ.
The 90 day public comment period continues through February 20, 2014. This is the final opportunity for public comments on this plan. Comments may be submitted by mail:
Biscayne National Park GMP
National Park Service
M. Elmer (DSC-P),
PO Box 25287,
Denver, CO 80225-0287
Or through NPS planning website (http://parkplanning.nps.gov/bisc) or in person at one of three public meetings:
• December 9, 6-9 p.m.
– Newman Alumni Center, University of Miami, 6200 San Amaro Drive, Coral Gables, FL 33146
• December 10, 6-9 p.m.
– City Hall, Commission Chambers, 404 West Palm Drive, Florida City, FL 33034
• December 11, 6-9 p.m
– Holiday Inn Key Largo, 99701 Overseas Highway, Key Largo, FL 33037
In commenting all information you provide, including your address, phone number, e-mail address, or other personal identifying information in your comment may be made publicly available at any time. You may request in your comment to withhold your personal identifying information from public review, but the park cannot guarantee that it will be able to do so.
Fo rmore information: A more detailed newsletter about the GMP is available to download at www.parkplanning.nps.gov/bisc
