Doral, FL - The South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) Governing Board today provided authority to Executive Director Ernie Marks to enter into a new license agreement with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) to use the 144,000 state-owned acres that comprise the Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge in western Palm Beach County.
The agreement is a win-win-win for SFWMD, USFWS, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) and South Floridians. The District receives federal funds needed to combat the invasive Lygodium fern while taking over full control of the day-to-day eradication efforts. USFWS will continue usage of the state-owned Refuge for up to 20 years while agreeing to increase public access within the land. Additionally, FWC will offer its assistance in helping USFWS expand the Refuge's recreational activities for the public.
"This Board has voiced its concern with the Refuge situation for quite some time regarding the spread of Lygodium. Losing a beautiful piece of the Everglades ecosystem to this invasive is simply unacceptable," said SFWMD Governing Board Vice Chairman Jim Moran. "We are thankful to our federal and state partners for stepping up to join us in this critical fight for the Everglades."
With the SFWMD now taking the lead to control this invasive plant, it is a critical time for the Refuge as it has seen a 600 percent increase in Lygodium over the last 20 years.
"The District has a proven track record of success fighting these invasive plants," said SFWMD Land Resources Bureau Chief Rory Feeney. "Working with our federal and state partners, we are ready to take the fight directly to this fern and break its chokehold on the Refuge."
David Viker, Chief of Refuges, Southeast Region of the National Wildlife Refuge System, said, "I'm very pleased with the Service and District's progress at strengthening a relationship that has endured more than 66 years, extending it for at least 20 more. Through interagency collaboration, we are enhancing Everglades restoration, better controlling invasive species and expanding public access on the Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge."
USFWS would also be required under the new agreement to focus on increasing recreational activities including hunting and fishing opportunities, similar to what is available in state-managed water conservation areas throughout the District. FWC, which manages recreational opportunities in much of the state-owned land in Florida and has provided funding to help fight Lygodium in the Refuge for years, would take on a more prominent role in the expanded recreational opportunities to take place within in the Refuge.
"The FWC appreciates the cooperation among agencies to prioritize conservation of the fish and wildlife resources in the Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge, a vital part of the north Everglades ecosystem, and to promote outdoor recreation," said Tom Reinert, Regional Director for FWC's South Region.
