EVERGLADES NATIONAL PARK RESTARTS CIVIC ENGAGEMENT AS RESULT OF SFW CONCERNS ABOUT INVALID EMAIL LINKS FOR PUBLIC COMMENTS.  3/14/13

 

When we tried to post comments to the Everglades attempts to raise their backcountry camping fee, something was amiss.  The email links provided were inoperable.  We then tried to contact the fee program manager and, surprise, her posted email was similarly inoperable.  The Everglades gave a whopping 10 days to submit public comments and two dead email links for the public to respond.  This is a familiar tactic with the NPS these days and one that has to stop.

We then contacted the NPS head of fee programs, Jane Moore.  She initially responded that there was no problem with the email links and had no comment on the extremely shortened 10 day comment period.  After a series of email exchanges, I received the following correspondence with Ms. Moore.

Mr Quillen
Just wanted to let you know that I did circle back with the park (Everglades) and found out that there was a glitch with the email address they used for public comments.    For that reason the park and I agreed that they needed to re-start their civic engagement process.   The park will be issuing a new press release shortly and re-opening the public comment period.
Just wanted let you know,

Jane 

 

As a result, they have restarted the civic engagement process and lengthened the amount of time provided to receive them from the public.  Here is a link to the press release and email areas that should now properly accept your thoughts about their fee increase.   Let them know what you think about their increase in backcountry camping fees. 

 Everglades National Park Extends Public Comment Period for Proposed Fee Increase for Backcountry Camping - Everglades National Park

 

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