Big Cypress National Preserve Geologic Resource Management Issues Scoping Summary

Thornberry-Ehrlich, Trista; South Florida/Caribbean Network

Followed by a field trip on January 28, 2005, a Geologic Resources Evaluation scoping meeting took place at the preserve headquarters on January 27, 2005. The scoping meeting participants identified the following list of geologic resource management issues. 1. The hydrogeologic system at Big Cypress is a western extension of the Everglades. Surface water flows over the low relief landscape through sloughs and marshes. This flow has been altered by roads, canals, and levees at the preserve. 2. Geologic and topographic mapping when combined with flow patterns would help resource management determine which areas to focus on for restoration. 3. Soils and bedrock depth surveys and measurements are needed at the preserve. This in addition to soil recovery research would help resource management deal with ORV damage remediation. 4. Disturbed lands at the preserve include borrow pits and canals dug during the construction of roads and pads for oil and gas drilling. These features disrupt the flow of water and need to be remediated. 5. ORV management is an ongoing process at the park. Implementation of the 2001 ORV Plan is a major management goal. The preserve is trying to designate 644 km (400 miles) of trails to lessen ORV environmental impact. 6. Oil and gas issues include regulating the eight producing wells located within the preserve. Land/mineral ownership rights differ between the surface and subsurface and responsibility for clean-up and remediation is often mislaid.