§ 410r-5. — Findings, purposes, and definitions.
[Laws in effect as of January 24, 2002]
[Document not affected by Public Laws enacted between
January 24, 2002 and December 19, 2002]
[CITE: 16USC410r-5]
TITLE 16--CONSERVATION
CHAPTER 1--NATIONAL PARKS, MILITARY PARKS, MONUMENTS, AND SEASHORES
SUBCHAPTER LIV--EVERGLADES NATIONAL PARK
Sec. 410r-5. Findings, purposes, and definitions
(a) Findings
The Congress makes the following findings:
(1) The Everglades National Park is a nationally and
internationally significant resource and the park has been adversely
affected and continues to be adversely affected by external factors
which have altered the ecosystem including the natural hydrologic
conditions within the park.
(2) The existing boundary of Everglades National Park excludes
the contiguous lands and waters of the Northeast Shark River Slough
that are vital to long-term protection of the park and restoration
of natural hydrologic conditions within the park.
(3) Wildlife resources and their associated habitats have been
adversely impacted by the alteration of natural hydrologic
conditions within the park, which has contributed to an overall
decline in fishery resources and a 90 percent population loss of
wading birds.
(4) Incorporation of the Northeast Shark River Slough and the
East Everglades within the park will limit further losses suffered
by the park due to habitat destruction outside the present park
boundaries and will preserve valuable ecological resources for use
and enjoyment by future generations.
(5) The State of Florida and certain of its political
subdivisions or agencies have indicated a willingness to transfer
approximately 35,000 acres of lands under their jurisdiction to the
park in order to protect lands and water within the park, and may so
transfer additional lands in the future.
(6) The State of Florida has proposed a joint Federal-State
effort to protect Everglades National Park through the acquisition
of additional lands.
(b) Purposes
The purposes of sections 410r-5 to 410r-8 of this title are to--
(1) increase the level of protection of the outstanding natural
values of Everglades National Park and to enhance and restore the
ecological values, natural hydrologic conditions, and public
enjoyment of such area by adding the area commonly known as the
Northeast Shark River Slough and the East Everglades to Everglades
National Park; and
(2) assure that the park is managed in order to maintain the
natural abundance, diversity, and ecological integrity of native
plants and animals, as well as the behavior of native animals, as a
part of their ecosystem.
(c) Definitions
As used in sections 410r-5 to 410r-8 of this title:
(1) The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary of the Interior.
(2) The term ``addition'' means the approximately 107,600 acre
area of the East Everglades area authorized to be added to
Everglades National Park by sections 410r-5 to 410r-8 of this title.
(3) The term ``park'' means the area encompassing the existing
boundary of Everglades National Park and the addition area described
in paragraph (2).
(4) The term ``project'' means the Central and Southern Florida
Project.
(Pub. L. 101-229, title I, Sec. 101, Dec. 13, 1989, 103 Stat. 1946.)
Short Title of 1997 Amendment
Pub. L. 105-82, Sec. 1, Nov. 13, 1997, 111 Stat. 1540, provided
that: ``This Act [amending section 410r-7 of this title, enacting
provisions set out as a note under section 410r-7 of this title, and
amending provisions listed in a table of Wilderness Areas set out under
section 1132 of this title] may be cited as the `Marjory Stoneman
Douglas Wilderness and Ernest F. Coe Visitor Center Designation Act'.''
Short Title
Section 1 of Pub. L. 101-229 provided that: ``This Act [enacting
this section and sections 410r-6 to 410r-8 of this title] may be cited
as the `Everglades National Park Protection and Expansion Act of
1989'.''
Section Referred to in Other Sections
This section is referred to in sections 410r-6, 410r-7, 410r-8 of
this title.
