Big Cypress National PreserveNational Park Service

Why is Big Cypress a National Preserve

and Not a National Park?

In 1974 Big Cypress National Preserve was the first Preserve in the National Park System. It was designated a National Preserve because of 6 traditional uses- Oil and Gas Exploration, Hunting, ORV (Off Road Vehicle) use, Private land ownership, Cattle grazing, customary and traditional uses by the Seminole and Miccosukee Tribes.

These activities were occurring here before the Preserve was created and law makers wanted to guarantee that these activities would continue after the preserve was created but also with the understanding that these activities should not cause harm to the already sensitive ecosystem.

History

In the time between Everglades National Park being established in

1947 and the late 1960’s, the area known at that time as the Big

Cypress Swamp underwent changes that if were allowed to

continue could possible impact the health of the land forever.

Timber companies had come into the region and cut down the old

cypress and pines trees, because of the hardness of the wood and

is termite resistant. Pines were also used to make turpentine tine

and rosin.

In 1968, the first stage of the Big Cypress Jetport was being built. The

proposal for the second stage would make it the world’s largest airport, with

the longest runway. Because many worried citizens and groups became

concerned for the well-being of the Big Cypress Swamp and its wildlife, the

project had to wait until impact studies could be conducted. As a result,

several important environmental studies were conducted to determine the

impact of a Jetport and also many important environmental laws were

created to protect sensitive wetlands. The next stage of the Jetport was

never started.

Several groups, such as conservationist, hunters, private landowners, and

the Seminole and Miccosukee came together to protect the Big Cypress

Swamp Watershed. With help from these groups the National Park System

created the concept of a National Preserve to continue the 6 traditional uses

that were occurring in the Big Cypress before the preserve was created in

1974.

http://www.synthstuff.com/mt/archives/1970s_gasLines.jpg

Oil and Gas Exploration

Since the 1940’s, oil and gas exploration has occurred in the Big Cypress Swamp.

The first well was discovered after numerous tries in 1943. Oil was found was in

porous rocks but it needed to be separated from the water and gas. Oil is collected

under low pressure. Because of the expense in the earlier years of separating the

oil, it wasn’t as desirable to bigger companies.

Around the time that the Preserve was established, the country was going through

an oil crisis. Due to rising use of oil and an oil

embargo, prices increased steadily and supply was

running low.

In the Preserve oil exploration and drilling is nonfederal activity and the land used is private property. Mineral rights are held by individuals or corporations. In order to have a well in the Preserve special permits need to be filed and approved. The well and production is held to high federal regulations and standards.

The oil that is brought to the surface is a mix of oil, water and gas. This combination needs to be separated onsite and is pumped in to separators to complete the process. The system is heated up using gas that is produced. The heater is basically like a density chamber the gas rises to the top and can be reused or burned off. Oil is less dense than water and rises up. The water is drained from the bottom of the heater and is either placed back in like zones under the ground or in specially designed holding tanks.

Hunting has been a timed-honored recreational activity in the

Preserve, with specific seasons for muzzle loading, general gun

and archery. Hunting in the Preserve is managed cooperatively

by the National Park System and Florida Fish and Wildlife

Conservation Commission.

Much of our Preserve is off the main road and to

appreciate it fully one should get out to the back

country to experience it. In the earlier years

homemade Off Road Vehicles were used to get

into the back country. Today Off Road Vehicle

use is still allowed with the proper permits filed,

and respect to the land. Drivers are to stay on

designated trails and follow the designated

speed limits.

Private homes, hunting camps and businesses that were in Big Cypress before it became a Preserve, and held the deed to their property were allowed to stay in the Preserve. Because of the wetness of the land some owners chose to sell their property to the National Park System, others chose 25 year land agreements.

Before the Preserve was established,

some cattle farmers leased and

owned parcels of land for cattle

grazing. After the Preserve was

founded, cattle grazing was done on

a life lease. Since that time almost all

the leases have expired.

Customary and Traditional Uses by the Seminole and Miccosukee Tribes-

The Seminole and Miccosukee Tribes were granted Customary and Traditional use of the Preserve as long as those activities were occurring when the Preserve was established in 1974.

To learn more about these tribes go to the following links:

Seminole- http://www.seminoletribe.com/

Miccosukee- http://www.miccosukee.com/tribe.htm