East Coast of Florida now comes from Lake Kissimmee by the Kissimmee River to Lake Istokpoga and by canal and river to Lake Okeechobee. From Lake Okeechobee by canal to Water Conservation Areas 1-2-3. These Conservation Areas are surrounded by Dikes with outlets into the Park and canals to the East Coast of Florida. The main water supply is from Lake Okeechobee. Ed Dail, Executive Director of the Central and Southern Florida Flood Control District, stated to the National Geographic (January, 1972 issue): "Lake Okeechobee is the only reasonable Efficient Water Storage Area we have. All our hopes are in the lake. Raising its water level a Foot gives us an extra 450,000 Acre Feet of water but you have to raise the Lakes Dikes, when you increase the water level. If we had an extra two feet of water authorized in 1948, which we will get around 1974, after construction has been completed, we would not be in the trouble we're in now. We would have the water to keep the Canals up, feed the Park and the rest." So with the rising of the Dike around Lake Okeechobee 2 feet would hold a 2 year supply of water for the Park and the East Coast of Florida.

There is new in this area 4,293,370 Acres under Federal-State County Agencies, 878,770 Acres plus private lands for hunting, 2,164,000 Acres for Water Storage, 2,100,000 Acres-Everglades National Park, 6,600 Acres Collier Seminole Park, 12,000 Acres Education Land. Less than 1⁄2 of Southern Florida is left for the Population growth (5,000,000 in the next 28 years). I believe if this land is put under the new Land Use and Water Control Bill, by our State Senators and Representatives and that zoning be set at "one family per acre" this area would be able to absorb 2,430,000 people at the rate of 4.4 persons per family. The dredging of a lake for fill to build a road and living area. The lake will serve as a water reservoir and the fill will cover the water and stop evaporation. No canal to be dredged from fresh water to salt water and all existing Canals of this type to be diked, in such a way that flood waters may be released (Consisting of only that water above normal High Water Levels).

I would like to quote Senator Pape, from Monroe County in 1954: "We need this land to raise Kids not Birds."

MIAMI SPRINGS, FLA., February 21, 1972.

Hon. WAYNE ASPINALL,

House of Representatives,

Washington, D.C.

DEAR SIR: I respectfully urge you to support the fine efforts now being initiated in Congress to preserve the Big Cypress wilderness. As a resident of Dade County, I have long had a deep concern over what would become of the unique and beautiful Everglades region. The prospect that we now have of saving the Big Cypress and adjacent areas, vital to the ecological makeup of the Everglades, has helped allay some of that concern. The cypress strands and lowlands of this area contribute over half of the surface water flowing into Everglades National Park. This surface water flowing overland into the Everglades is the runoff of water following the spring and early summer rains from higher elevated land surrounding the cypress strands of Big Cypress Swamp. The region also receive water from natural springs and sloughs in South-Central Florida. All this water is concentrated within the Big Cypress watershed and maintains a steady movement south into the Everglades. As a result, the Big Cypress is not really a swamp at all but rather resembles a wide, shallow, and very slow-moving river. The area is the last remaining natural source of fresh water for the park. I have often hunted and fished in the Big Cypress and have found it to be deserving of preservation in itself, even if it did not have the important linkage to the survival of Everglades National Park. The area abounds in natural beauty and has an abundance of wildlife. It is a vast tract of untamed and pristine wilderness relatively unmarred by man's so-called development. There is no other area like it remaining in any part of the world. The uniqueness of the Big Cypress is perhaps its greatest asset. Within the confines of Big Cypress are found many rare orchids and other plants that are native to this area alone. The habiats of the Florida panther, Florida black bear, alligator, wood stork, ivory-billed woodpecker, bald eagle, great blue heron, and many other endangered species are also found here.

However, the tremendous pressures of urbanization and uncontrolled or mismanaged growth are creating havoc on the Glades and Big Cypress, threatening these areas with eventual destruction. The huge population center of Miami, with

its satellite cities on the East Coast and Naples, Golden Gate Estates, Marco Island, and related areas on the Gulf Coast are penetrating deep into what used to be virgin wilderness. The diminishing water supply and indiscriminate use of pesticides are killing off the wildlife at an alarming rate. The unwise drainage and land fill of cypress strands and wetlands by land speculators in anticipation of new model home subdivisions has had adverse effects on the natural flow of water or what is described as a sheet flow, south into the lower cypress and Glades country. These and other practices detrimental to the ecosystem of the Glades are due mainly to the lack of a comprehensive land use plan for South Florida. We can no longer retain the same attitude towards land as a limitless and replenishing resource that was prevalent in the days of the early settlers. If the Big Cypress were to be drained and developed, Southwest Florida would destroy its own watershed while increasing the demand for water. One reason the Big Cypress has remained so miraculously intact up until the 70's is the high cost it would take to drain it. It has been estimated that the cost of development in this area would exceed the cost of preservation because of the great expense involved in drainage. Once the water is diverted for land fill and building, the necessity for flood control facilities such as dikes, water pumps, and storage areas would arise. The cost of building and maintaining the flood control facilities already established on the western fringes of Palm Beach, Broward, and Dade Counties reached upwards of over 200 million dollars. A similar series of projects would be needed for Collier and Lee Counties in case the Big Cypress is developed and would cost much more to complete.

There is an often held misconception about the Everglades and Big Cypress. The Big Cypress wilderness exemplifies characteristics that many tourists think are synonymous with the Everglades. These visitors sometimes associate the picture of lush sub-tropical vegetation and fauna in cypress and pine forests through which meandering streams flow, with the Everglades ecosystem. Actually, the Everglades is basically sawgrass and mangrove vegetation while the Big Cypress has the heavy concentration of bald cypress jungle and pine woodland. South Florida's population has more than doubled in the past fifteen years. The preservation of Big Cypres as a national recreation area, while retaining the Everglades as a wildlife preserve, provides this and future generations with sorely needed activities such as hunting, fishing, boating, camping, and nature study. Contrary to the belief of many people, the Big Cypress, not the Everglades, is the historical home of the Seminole and Miccosukee Indian tribes. Development of this area would be tantamount to the destruction of part of the culture and heritage of these great people. Chief Buffalo Tiger of the Miccsukee tribe has strongly endorsed the proposal to purchase Big Cypress. The Seminoles have also expressed their support.

The proposal to purchase Big Cypress was made for even more important reasons than the esthetic values of the area. The Big Cypress serves as a recharge area for ground water supplies. As the urban areas of the lower west coast expand, those municipalities will have to utilize waters farther to the east to meet their water demands. Conserving of the watershed for future population growth demands utmost consideration. There are large commercial and sport fishing industries on the southwest coast of Florda. These industries depend upon the fish that feed and reproduce in the mangrove estuaries of the Ten Thousand Islands. Water from the Big Cypress Swamp flows into the estuaries mixing with the salt water that designates a certain temperature at which time the "biological clock" of the fish determines it is time to reproduce. The water from the Big Cypress carries with it mosquito and insect larvae, algal organisms and other nutrients which cluster on the mangrove roots in the brackish waters providing the bases for the fish food supply.

The overwhelming majority of people I know and have talked to support the bill to purchase Big Cypress. Finally, I would like to add that there have already been too many compromises made concerning the Everglades. The American people don't want another. What I think they do want is action to protect their investment in Everglades National Park. If we had followed the guidelines and approved the original concept of Everglades National Park advocated in 1935, which included the Big Cypress, we wouldn't be in the situation we are in today. I don't belong to any conservation organization. What motivated me to write this letter were my own feelings and interest I have for the Big Cypress.

If you have time to write a reply, I would appreciate it very much. Thank you. Sincerely yours,

HAROLD REED LANNOM, Jr.

BIG CYPRESS PRESERVE, FLA.

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 1972

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,

COMMITTEE ON INTERIOR AND INSULAR AFFAIRS,

SUBCOMMITTEE ON NATIONAL PARKS AND RECREATION,

Washington D.C.

The subcommittee met, pursuant to notice, at 10:05 a.m., in room 1324, Longworth House Office Building, Hon. Roy A. Taylor (chairman of the subcommittee) presiding.

Mr. TAYLOR. The subcommittee has before it today two measures which were sponsored by the ranking majority and ranking minority members of the committee (Mr. Haley and Mr. Saylor) and others. Both of these bills deal with the Big Cypress area in the State of Florida.

(Copies of the legislation (H.R. 13017 by Mr. Saylor and H.R. 13115 by Mr. Haley) plus the report of the Department of the Interior will be found on p. 6.)

Mr. TAYLOR. A few months ago, some of the members of the subcommittee had an opportunity to visit this area to see what is involved. We held hearings in Fort Myers, Fla., on February 15, 1972. Since that time, other legislation has kept the subcommittee active so that we are just getting back to the Big Cypress project. I am sure that the statements to be presented today will help all of us to understand the background and objective of the legislation.

I do not wish to take up any more of the time of the subcommittee, because we have several witnesses who are scheduled to appear and it is my hope that we can complete this hearing this morning. It will be impossible to meet this afternoon because we have the Gateway National Urban Recreation bill on the floor today.

The gentleman from Colorado, Mr. Aspinall.

Mr. ASPINALL. Mr. Chairman, we also have to appear before the House Rules Committee this morning for a hearing on some of the bills reported by the full committee so it will be necessary for Mr. Johnson of California and me to absent ourselves.

I remember the very pleasant visit and hearing we had in Florida last February. It was shown that the project has great potential, but there are some controversies. I want the people of Florida to know that we are nearing the end of this session.

More than likely, we will be unable to go any further on this bill than this hearing at this time. We will complete our record so that in the future, the record will be there for the committee to have at its disposal.

Mr. TAYLOR. If the gentleman will yield, we hope to get back to it without delay early next year.

Mr. ASPINALL. I could not say that, Mr. Chairman.
Mr. TAYLOR. I wish that you could.

Mr. ASPINALL. I do, too.

Mr. TAYLOR. I might point out our first witness is Hon. James A. Haley, a member-in fact, the ranking majority member of this committee. It was at Congressman Haley's invitation that we went to Florida last February. He has been insisting that these hearings be held today. He has shown much concern for the protection of the Everglades.

Mr. Haley, we will be glad to hear from you.

STATEMENT OF HON. JAMES A. HALEY, A REPRESENTATIVE IN CONGRESS FROM THE SEVENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT OF THE STATE OF FLORIDA

Mr. HALEY. Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman, members of the committee. First I want to thank you for calling this bill up. While I realize it is late in the session, I hope we can move the bill as fast as we possibly can.

Knowing that the committee has quite a lot of work to do, I ask permission to file a written statement in my behalf.

Mr. TAYLOR. In the absence of objection, permission is granted. Mr. HALEY. And, Mr. Chairman, I ask unanimous consent that my colleague, Congressman Fascell, be allowed to file a written statement. Mr. TAYLOR. In the absence of objection, it is so ordered.

Mr. HALEY. Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman, for the opportunity to appear here. And thank you again for calling this matter up, which is of great concern to the people of not only Florida but the Nation.

STATEMENT OF HON. JAMES A. HALEY, A REPRESENTATIVE IN CONGRESS

FROM THE STATE OF FLORIDA

Mr. Chairman and members of the subcommittee, I am very pleased that this Subcommittee has indicated, through holding these hearings on legislation to establish the Big Cypress National Fresh Water Reserve, that it understands the importance to Florida of protecting this vital watershed area. The bill, H.R. 13115, would provide for the protection of the Big Cypress Watershed located north of and adjacent to the Everglades National Park and for appropriate uses of the area through cooperative action by the Federal Government and the State of Florida.

As you and some other Members of this Subcommittee saw on your trip to the Everglades National Park and the Big Cypress Swamp in the Spring of this year, the Park has been in danger of being destroyed in part by developers who have attempted to drain land inside the Park boundaries and sell it as homesites. This environmentally detrimental activity fortunately is being stopped by two public laws, both of which I sponsored in the House and which authorized funds to purchase the remaining private inholdings inside the limits of the Park. But, a more serious problem now threatens the future of this National Park. That problem is the draining of land within the Big Cypress for residential development. Since approximately 16 percent of the Everglades National Park is dependent directly on the Big Cypress for fresh water supplies during several

critical months of the year, if water from the Big Cypress were altered significantly from its normal sheet flow by development, a portion of the Park simply would not continue to thrive. This unique tropical area is certainly a natural resource worth preserving and is a necessary part to insuring that the Everglades National Park will continue to exist in its natural state.

I would also like to express my concern that, in any legislation which this Subcommittee may eventually report to the full committee, there be provided protection for the ancestoral homes and traditions of the people of the Miccosukee and Seminole Indian Tribes. Also, I encourage this Subcommittee to insure that the private landowners, hunters, fishermen, and other sportsmen are treated equitably in determining the types of uses and management which will be permitted and employed in the Water Reserve.

Mr. Chairman, I strongly urge you and the Members of this Subcommittee to take timely action on this legislation which will do so much toward preserving the South Florida environment for the benefit of this and future generations. Mr. TAYLOR. Mr. Haley, a member of the committee, will be present when further consideration of the bill is taken. We will get the benefit of his advice and thinking step by step as we go along.

Another member of the Florida delegation who has shown a great amount of concern for the Everglades and concern for other outdoor recreation projects and preservation projects in Florida is our colleague, Hon. Charles E. Bennett.

Congressman, we are pleased to hear from you at this time.

STATEMENT OF HON. CHARLES E. BENNETT, A REPRESENTATIVE IN CONGRESS FROM THE THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT OF THE STATE OF FLORIDA

Mr. BENNETT. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I don't want to trespass too much on the time of the committee, so I ask unanimous consent to extend my remarks. I do want to make a brief statement.

Mr. TAYLOR. In the absence of objection your statement will be printed in full in the record.

Mr. ASPINALL. Mr. Chairman.

Mr. TAYLOR. The gentleman from Colorado.

Mr. ASPINALL. Mr. Chairman, reserving the right to object, and I will not object. I ask if the Congressman is in favor of this project. Mr. BENNETT. Very much in favor of it, sir.

Mr. ASPINALL. I withdraw my objection.

Mr. BENNETT. As you probably know, I am somewhat of a student of history. Many times the early maps of Florida show this area all the way from the Okeechobee to the southern end of the land, not as a solid finger of land but as a wide river of little islands going down to the keys. After looking at these maps for 20 or 30 years, I never realized how realistic those maps were until I actually flew over the area and then I realized that from the air Florida in fact looks much like the early cartographers had drawn Florida, not as a hard finger sticking down into the Carribbean, but instead as a river of grass, water, and islands going from Lake Okeechobee down to the tip of the State. This is in fact a unique type of area. It is an important environmental area which is in danger; and I think it is the type of area that should be preserved.

Mr. TAYLOR. Thank you very much.