On August 3rd, hundreds of concerned Florida locals crowded inside the William F. Dickinson community center in Homestead, Florida to witness a joint oversight hearing of the House Committee On Small Business and the House Committee on Natural Resources. Committee members gathered to discuss restricted access at Biscayne National Park and implications for fishermen, small businesses, the local economy and environment.

In his opening statement, Congressman Carlos Curbelo, acting Chairman for the Small Business Committee (who represents the Florida Keys and parts of Miami-Dade County) stated:

While I share the National Park Service’s commitment to protecting Biscayne National Park’s coral reefs and fishery resources, I am concerned that the final General Management Plan will unnecessarily restrict the public’s access to the park and negatively affect fishermen and other small businesses.”

            Much of the hearing focused on a legislative fix to what many consider to be an overreach of the Federal Government. Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen introduced the Preserving Public Access to Public Waters Act (H.R. 3310) with the bipartisan support of 30 House colleagues. The bill will ensure that state authorities will have the opportunity to have a say in the development of any new fishing access restrictions in areas where state marine waters and national park or national marine sanctuary boundaries overlap. According to the Congresswoman: “We all have a stake in the protection of Biscayne National Park’s natural resources and the preservation of vital economic and recreational opportunities that depend on Biscayne’s beauty and bounty. Over the past 15 years, I have prodded the National Park Service to increase their outreach and work together with all stakeholders in the process of developing a new General Management Plan. However, the stubborn and unsupported inclusion of a no-fishing zone in the park’s final proposal seems to be the result of a process that treats collaboration like a check box on a form, rather than as a serious dialogue between partners. That’s not right, and we should demand better from our federal government.” The act has been introduced and referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources, but will not be considered further until after Congress’ August recess.