Miccosukee Tribe's Strategy to Halt Everglades Oil Drilling Permanently
Talbert Cypress, chairman of the Miccosukee Tribe (Miami Herald)
National Parks Conservation Association / LightHawk
https://news.wgcu.org/2019-02-19/not-here-not-now-not-everglades-wetland-conservationists-call-for-no-oil-drilling
National Parks Conservation Association / LightHawk
https://www.worldatlas.com/wetlands/everglades.html
https://www.nrdc.org/bio/alison-kelly/onshore-drilling-threat-florida-oil-exploration-everglades
https://www.npca.org/parks/big-cypress-national-preserve
Win McNamee, Getty Images
Tampa Bay Times
Big Cypress National Preserve (iStock image)
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Guardians of the Glades: The Miccosukee Tribe's Stand Against Everglades Oil Drilling
In the heart of the Florida Everglades, the Miccosukee Tribe leads a concerted effort to safeguard their ancestral lands from the encroachment of oil drilling. Through their cultural heritage which is intricately woven into the fabric of this delicate ecosystem, the tribe's alliance with conservation organizations and state authorities marks a pivotal moment in the ongoing battle for the preservation of the Everglades.
Against the backdrop of climate change threats and evolving water management challenges, their multifaceted strategy seeks to secure a future where the Everglades remain untouched by the ravages of fossil fuel extraction, ensuring the sustenance of this natural treasure for generations to come.
Nestled within the ancient pine forests of Big Cypress National Preserve lies an enduring threat to the delicate balance of the Everglades: oil drilling. For decades, this practice has persisted, posing risks to both the ecosystem and the underground aquifers vital for drinking water. Now, amidst a $21 billion restoration endeavor, the Miccosukee Tribe has emerged as staunch defenders of their ancestral lands. Their mission: to halt oil drilling permanently, safeguarding not only the natural wonders of the Everglades but also the cultural heritage of their people.
Sacred Grounds Under Threat: The Miccosukee Tribe's Concerns Over Everglades Oil Drilling
Within the pristine pine forests of Big Cypress National Preserve, lies not just an oil field, but a battleground for conservation and cultural preservation. More than a mere landscape, this preserve serves as a vital lifeline for the Everglades, channeling over 40 percent of its crucial water flow and providing refuge for iconic species like the ghost orchid and Florida panther. Yet, beneath its serene surface, wells delve deep into underground aquifers, tapping into the Sunniland trend for oil extraction. For the Miccosukee Tribe, this intrusion strikes at the heart of their heritage. Talbert Cypress, the tribe's elected chairman, voices their anguish as sacred ceremonial grounds, burial sites, and sources of traditional medicine face the specter of irreversible damage. As stewards of the land, the tribe stands resolute in their battle to protect Big Cypress and its profound cultural significance.
Turning the Tide: The Miccosukee Tribe's Plan to End Everglades Oil Drilling
In a pivotal move towards environmental preservation, the Miccosukee Tribe, renowned guardians of Florida's natural heritage, unveils a strategic plan to halt oil drilling within the Big Cypress National Preserve. Teaming up with WildLandscapes International, a nonprofit dedicated to land conservation, the tribe navigates a multimillion-dollar deal with the Collier family, owners of the critical mineral rights beneath the preserve. If successful, the agreement would entail the relinquishment of mineral rights covering a vast expanse of 465,000 acres to the federal government, signaling a significant step towards safeguarding the sanctity of this ecological treasure.
The Battle Against Everglades Oil Expansion
This move aims to staunch the tide of oil exploration within this fragile ecosystem, offering a glimmer of hope in the face of mounting environmental threats. Despite the looming specter of rising global temperatures and the insidious impacts of fossil fuel emissions, exemplified by a recent permit application by a Texas oil and gas company for new drilling sites within the preserve, the tribe remains steadfast in their resolve to protect the Everglades, a vital watershed sustaining the drinking water needs of millions of Floridians.
Preserving Paradise: The Everglades, Florida's Lifeline and Legacy
The Everglades, revered as Florida's primary freshwater reserve, embodies a sprawling watershed stretching across central and south Florida. From the meandering Kissimmee River to the expansive Lake Okeechobee, and from the vast sawgrass prairies to the serene Florida Bay, this ecosystem is a mosaic of natural wonders. Protected by federal and state agencies, including the Everglades Headwaters National Wildlife Refuge, Florida Panther National Wildlife Refuge, Big Cypress National Preserve, and Everglades National Park, these lands serve as sanctuaries for countless species. However, the Everglades' journey has been fraught with challenges. Decades of drainage initiatives, spearheaded by entities like the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, have reshaped its landscape, leaving a profound imprint on the "river of grass." Amidst this backdrop, the discovery of oil by the Humble Oil and Refining Company in 1943, under the incentivization of state authorities, marked a pivotal moment in Florida's history, underscoring the enduring tension between development and conservation in this unique ecosystem.
Balancing Act: Assessing the Impact of Oil Production in Florida
Despite its limited contribution to the nation's oil output, Florida finds itself at a crossroads between economic interests and environmental stewardship. According to a report from the Conservation Economics Institute, Florida's oil industry employs a modest fraction of the state's workforce and constitutes a minuscule portion of its gross domestic product. However, a contrasting perspective emerges from a study by the American Petroleum Institute, which highlights a significant economic contribution from the oil and natural gas sector, supporting hundreds of thousands of jobs and injecting billions into the state's economy. The focal point of Florida's oil production lies in the Panhandle region, with Big Cypress hosting two key fields—Bear Island and Raccoon Point—responsible for a notable fraction of the state's daily oil output. While these fields predate the establishment of the preserve, their continued operation underscores the delicate balance between economic development and environmental conservation in Florida's intricate ecosystem.
Legacy and Land: The Collier Family's Role in Big Cypress Preservation
The intricate details of Big Cypress National Preserve are deeply connected to the Collier family, whose roots stretch back to the early 20th century through Barron Gift Collier, a prominent advertising magnate and Florida's largest landowner at the time. In a pivotal move in 1976, the family conveyed over 76,000 acres to the National Park Service, laying the groundwork for the establishment of the preserve, while retaining underground mineral rights—a decision with lasting implications. Subsequent expansions in 1996 further bolstered Big Cypress, expanding its footprint to over 700,000 acres, encompassing vast stretches of the western Everglades. However, a proposed federal purchase of the Colliers' mineral rights in 2003, valued between $5 million and $475 million, faltered, leaving the delicate balance between conservation and economic interests unresolved in this iconic wilderness.
Heavy-Sour Oil: The Complexities of Extraction and Impact
Beneath the verdant expanse of Big Cypress National Preserve lies a valuable yet contentious resource, what's known as 'heavy-sour oil'. Characterized by its viscous consistency akin to liquid tar, this oil, managed by the Collier Resources Company, serves a myriad of industrial purposes, from fuels for automobiles and aviation to lubricants and asphalt. However, despite its utility, Edward Glab, director of the Global Energy Security Forum at Florida International University, notes that the oil's quality is far from premium, lacking high-grade attributes and significant market value. This sentiment is echoed by Talbert Cypress, chairman of the Miccosukee Tribe, who highlights the disproportionate environmental toll of extraction compared to the relatively modest yield of oil. The discord between economic viability and ecological preservation underscores the complexity of managing resources within the delicate ecosystem of the Everglades.
Balancing Oil Extraction with Environmental Concerns
In the dance between oil extraction and environmental preservation in Florida, acidizing emerges as a preferred method due to the state's unique geology characterized by porous limestone and extensive underground aquifers. Unlike fracking, acidizing involves the injection of acid, water, and chemicals into oil-bearing rock formations to facilitate oil flow. Given that a staggering 93 percent of Florida's population relies on groundwater for drinking, concerns over potential contamination loom large. While the Collier family asserts stringent safeguards, including steel casings, cement layers, and limestone pads, to mitigate environmental risks, incidents like the 2018 spill at Raccoon Point serve as sobering reminders of the inherent dangers. Despite assurances of minimal impact, the delicate balance between resource extraction and environmental protection remains a contentious issue in Florida's Everglades.
The Everglades and the Path Forward
As climate change looms as a pressing threat to the Everglades, the delicate balance of this unique ecosystem faces unprecedented challenges. Rising temperatures exacerbate evaporation, straining the watershed already burdened by rapid population growth and urban development. Concerns mount over the resilience of the intricate water management infrastructure, deemed among the most complex globally, in the face of shifting precipitation patterns and intensifying climate impacts. Amidst these uncertainties, the collaborative agreement involving the Miccosukee Tribe, Collier family, and WildLandscapes International unfolds in three phases. The initial phase saw the transfer of thousands of acres, including mineral rights, to state authorities, laying the groundwork for further conservation efforts. Yet, the second phase, focusing on mineral rights within Big Cypress, remains contingent on appraisal outcomes. If successful, funding from the Land and Water Conservation Fund would facilitate the acquisition, underscoring the federal commitment to land conservation. Looking ahead, Talbert Cypress, chairman of the Miccosukee Tribe, envisions a future free from oil drilling within Big Cypress, emphasizing the vital role of the Everglades in securing Florida's freshwater resources for generations to come.