Biscayne Bay National Park

The story of Biscayne Bay:

Biscayne National Park is a rare treasure. It consists of 173,000 acres, 95% of which is water, as well as close to 45 barrier islands. The Park is home to over 250 species of fish as well as other animals, including the American crocodile and the endangered manatee. It also houses the northernmost coral reef in the United States, which is also the third largest in the world. Several historically significant archaeological sites pre-dating the arrival of Spanish explorers add to the value of the Park.

The wonders of Biscayne National Park attract up to 500,000 visitors per year. Activities enjoyed on site include backcountry fishing, camping, snorkeling, diving, bird watching, and recreational use of personal watercraft. The extremely clear water and abundance of life have always made Biscayne National Park a premier site for these pastimes, and as long as you can provide your own equipment, there is no charge by the Park for its use.

However, over the past decades, this pristine natural wonder has been severely threatened by the over-development in Southeastern Florida. Diverted water flow for irrigation and agricultural purposes has disrupted the natural order of the Park. Real estate development continues to approach the boundaries of the Park. Due to the difficulties of the agricultural industry, as well as the high demand for land in South Florida, agriculture and real estate provide benefits for many people, but hurts many others. Most recently, plans to convert the nearby Homestead Air Reserve Base into a commercial airport accommodating as many as 500 flights a day greatly threatens the fragile ecosystem. Needless to say, another commercial airport in the Miami area would greatly alleviate the stress created by the ever-expanding tourism in the area. As someone that may enjoy what Biscayne National Park has to offer, your input is needed to influence the final decision.

Click here to see some proposed policies

Here are some other useful sites:

http://www.nps.gov/bisc/doicomments1.htm

http://www.shannontech.com/ParkVision/Biscayne/Biscayne.html