Legislation that would block a wilderness designation in Big Cypress National Preserve in Florida is being opposed by groups from California to Virginia.
There currently is no proposal to establish a wilderness area in Big Cypress, but U.S. Sen. Rick Scott of Florida wants to make sure none arises.
Back in 2024 the National Park Service identified more than 190,000 acres that would qualify as official wilderness at Big Cypress, which covers 729,000 semitropical acres, but passed on recommending any of it for official wilderness in its Backcountry Access Plan. The agency said it opposed wilderness designation because of opposition from the Miccosukee and Seminole tribes and the need for the Park Service to have access for management purposes.
Scott's legislation to prevent a future wilderness designation was introduced in May 2024, and it recently reappeared in the Senate. Opposing the measure are groups as diverse as Californians for Western Wilderness, the Climate Justice Alliance, and the Great Lakes Wildlife Alliance.
"Some of the most special wilderness areas in the country reside in our National Park System because they deserve the added protections. Congress shouldn’t limit its own authority by removing a park unit from consideration as wilderness, especially one known for panthers, orchids, alligators and abundant water resources," the group said earlier this month in a letter sent by the Coalition to Protect America's National Parks.
"The Wilderness Act was signed into law more than 60 years ago to ensure every land management agency, not just the National Park Service, could manage areas with high conservation values," the letter continues. "The public has benefited from Republicans and Democrats in Congress passing over 100 laws that protect over 800 areas as wilderness across the country. As a result, we have clean water, intact wildlife habitat, scenic views, well-preserved cultural resources, and recreation opportunities from hiking to paddling to hunting."
Concerns voiced against possible wilderness designation argue that it could block the Miccosukee and Seminole tribes from traditional ceremonial areas and their homes in the preserve, impede hunting, and block energy development.
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