Big Trouble in the Everglades! What a whole pile of Respected Scientists Said. by Geniusofdespair

I know BORING! But read it anyway. I made it easy to understand.

In a monumental report released this month and presented at the South Florida Ecosystem Restoration Task Force meeting on Thursday, December 6th, Scientists said:

Hey the endangered species of birds are in a heap of trouble and here is why! Well, they didn't say it exactly in those words. They actually said, in strong words for scientists:

“The panel recognizes that some controversy persists over the importance of water flow versus water levels in shaping the Everglades. However, the material we examined presents a compelling argument for water flow being absolutely central to restoring the defining characteristics of the Everglades. Every effort should be made to move forward both Modified Water Deliveries to Everglades National Park (ModWaters) and Water Conservation Area 3 Decomparmentalization and Sheet Flow Enhancement (Decomp).

An overarching conclusion of the panel is that the Status Quo is not an option if the goal is to restore the ecosystem and prevent the extinction of critically endangered species.

Incomplete implementation of emergency measures and failure to complete more major plans in a timely way increases the risks to endangered species. Moreover it makes it more difficult and more expensive to recover them.”

Make no mistake, this is a VERY STRONGLY worded report and at least one member of the Task Force was very, very upset – Dexter Lehtinen (attorney for the Miccosukee Tribe). Dexter asked for a peer review, etc.

The crux of the problem, I think, is:

that some of the remedies proposed would effect tribal land by raising water levels, that is the "controversy" the Scientist's pointed to in their statement. I believe there is also a fishermen revolt (need certain water levels in certain places). This disagreement on water flow has been a stumbling block for years and years and they never get anywhere because of it. Decisions on Decomp and Modwaters are never made and they are at the heart of Evergaldes Restoration. Maybe this report will do the trick - it made Dexter upset for sure.

Read the entire report Everglades Multi-Species Avian Ecology And Restoration Review. Here are the scientists that submitted the report:

Dr. Deborah Brosnan Project Lead
Dr. Steven Courtney Scientific Facilitator
Lisa Sztukowski Project Manager
Dr. Barbara Bedford Cornell University Panel Member
Dr. Virginia Burkett, US Geological Survey National Wetlands Research Center Panel Member
Dr. Mike Collopy, University of Nevada Panel Member
Dr. Scott Derrickson, Smithsonian Institution Panel Member
Dr. Chris Elphick, University of Connecticut Panel Member
Dr. Randy Hunt, US Geological Survey Panel Member
Dr. Ken Potter, University of Wisconsin-Madison Panel Member
Dr. Jim Sedinger, University of Nevada Panel Member
Dr. Jeff Walters, Virginia Tech Panel Member