Statement of Administration Policy: H.R. 4090 - Big Cypress National Preserve Addition

(House)
(Rep. Lewis (R) Fla.)

The Administration opposes H.R. 4090, because:

— the 128,000 acres the bill would add to the Preserve are not essential for habitat for the Florida Panther, one of the three main justifications cited for expanding the Preserve;

— there is no evidence that the additional land is threatened with imminent development requiring Federal acquisition;

— existing mechanisms and administrative solutions are adequate to protect the watershed of the area; and

— enactment could impede completion of Interstate 75 in a cost-effective and expeditious manner.

In short, there is no compelling reason to spend over $40 million to expand the Federal estate in southern Florida, when the Federal Government already owns about 2 million acres nearby and about 4.2 million acres in the State.