MERC Communiques

MERC a business minded, scientifically focused, 501 C3 nonprofit corporation

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Issued: 1 August 2009
Communiqué # 01

Environmental Communiqué

Public Comment Sought on Study of Unique Gladesmen Culture through Aug. 28, 2009

To all our friends: Mack's Fishing Camp has been selected with 4 other locations to be part of the Historical Gladesmen Culture Everglades Set Aside Program. There will be a period open to comments lasting up until August 29. We need all the help you can give us by sending a favorable comment to Army Core of Engineers. The email address is listed below for you to send comments. Times short to do this so please assist us if you can. We really appreciate all your help and please tell all your friends to help support this proposal that will assure that Mack's Fishing Camp will remain here as it has been since 1932. Thank you all very much.

Sincerely yours,
German R. Mendez
Science Coordinator-MERC

*** Five historic sites recommended for protection ***

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Jacksonville District is seeking public comment on a study of the Gladesmen, a unique folk culture of the Everglades. The study recommends five sites used by the Gladesmen for listing
on the National Register of Historic Places as Traditional Cultural Properties. Comments will be accepted today through Aug. 28, 2009.

     The Corps of Engineers, in partnership with the state of Florida, is restoring the Everglades. The Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP) describes a framework for restoring the wetlands, lakes, rivers and
estuaries of the greater Everglades ecosystem, an area spanning 16 counties in central and south Florida. As part of this effort, the Corps and South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) are developing a Master Recreation Plan. The plan identifies recreational uses for the 50 CERP projects that cover more than 200,000 acres collectively. During public meetings for the recreation plan, a number of people commented on the effects of Everglades restoration on traditional and cultural uses of the land. As a result, the Corps commissioned a study of aunique Everglades culture (Gladesmen) and the identification of associated historic sites eligible for protection.

     A draft study was released on June 29: "You Just Can't Live Without It: Ethnographic Study and Evaluation of Traditional Cultural Properties of the Gladesmen Culture."   The ethnographic study identified 13 sites as potential Traditional Cultural Properties within the CERP study area. The study recommends that five of these sites meet the criteria to be eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places as Traditional Cultural Properties. The
sites include Mack's Fish Camp on the Miami Canal; the Airboat Association of Florida club in Miami-Dade County; Everglades Conservation & Sportsman's Club in Collier County; Fisheating Creek Wildlife Management Area in Highlands and Glades counties; and the Loop Road (County Road 94) in Collier, Miami-Dade and Monroe counties. Study results will also be used to evaluate the potential social impacts of CERP for a National Environmental Policy Act
(NEPA) study.

     The draft study is available online at www.evergladesplan.org. Once there, please click programs on the top right, then click Master Recreation Plan, or go straight to the page by clicking http://tinyurl.com/14kgwh. Comments may be sent electronically to MRPComments@evergladesplan.org; or may be sent to Grady Caulk, Planning Division, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Jacksonville District, 701 San Marco Blvd., Jacksonville, Fla. 32207. For information about the study, please call (904) 232-1786.

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Mack's Fishing Camp
An ecologically balanced educational experience established and maintained by Gladesmen in the same family for over 70 years.

Marine Environmental Research Corporation
A business minded, scientifically focused, non profit 501 C3 corporation