By Ney C. Landrum, Fran P. Mainella and Mike Bullock
Special to The Sun
Published: Sunday, April 26, 2015 at 6:01 a.m.
Last Modified: Friday, April 24, 2015 at 5:24 p.m.
If the people of Florida value their state parks as highly as they say they do, they had better cast a wary eye in the direction of Tallahassee. Proposals are being advanced both in the Legislature and in the Department of Environmental Protection that may not bode well for the future of Florida’s nationally recognized state park system.

Florida’s system of outstanding natural preserves, historic sites and outdoor recreation areas has made it the envy of the nation. In fact, it is the only state park system to be awarded the national Gold Medal Award for Excellence three times.

It would be a shame to jeopardize such a prized public asset by misguided or inappropriate actions. Yet, that is exactly the prospect we face unless the proponents of these ill-considered proposals can be convinced otherwise. And compounding that challenge is the fact that these proposals are originating with the very people who are most responsible, at the highest levels, for the welfare of the state parks.

Of immediate concern are a bill already enacted by the House of Representatives (HB 7135) and a similar bill now pending in the Senate (SB 7086), which could have serious implications for state parks. If either bill becomes law, the result could be the introduction of “low impact agricultural uses” in certain parks, including such parks as Paynes Prairie, San Felasco Hammock and O’Leno.

Such “low impact” uses presumably would be conducted by private interests and could include activities such as cattle grazing and cutting of natural forests. Even “low impact” disturbances can be harmful in places such as state parks where the maintenance of delicate natural conditions is so important.

http://www.gainesville.com/article/2...768/-1/opinion


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