Opportunity Presented to Keep Everglades National Park Fully Protected from Power Lines

MIAMI – Today, the National Park Service announced its decision to acquire Florida Power & Light’s (FPL) ecologically critical parcel within Everglades National Park in exchange for a smaller portion of developable land in the eastern area of the park. The move could finally put an end to the threat of power lines being built inside park boundaries. Currently, FPL owns 320 acres within Everglades National Park in an area critical for restoration.

“We are cautiously optimistic,” said Cara Capp, NPCA’s Everglades Restoration Program Manager. “The land swap presents an opportunity for FPL to be good corporate stewards of our beloved Everglades by sticking to its promise to use only a portion of the exchanged lands, possibly none, for its power line corridor and donate the unused land back to the park to be managed for preservation and restoration. While we are hopeful FPL will do the right thing and work over the next three years to acquire necessary land to build the entire transmission corridor outside of Everglades National Park, this process will require strong commitment, communication, and work to achieve the most environmentally beneficial outcome. We must remain vigilant.”

For nearly a decade, NPCA has worked to keep transmission towers out of Everglades National Park to help protect the park’s invaluable natural resources, endangered wildlife, viewshed, and visitor experience.

“As the land swap process progresses and FPL outlines its plans, we will continue to be actively involved as we advocate for the protection of America’s Everglades,” added Capp.

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About National Parks Conservation Association
Since 1919, the nonpartisan National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA) has been the leading voice in safeguarding our national parks. NPCA and its more than one million members and supporters work together to protect and preserve our nation’s natural, historical, and cultural heritage for future generations. For more information, visit www.npca.org.