I am writing to express my strong opposition to the possible relocation of the Naples Airport to the Picayune Strand Wildlife Management Area (WMA).
As has been well documented by many others, the westward expansion of southern Florida from Miami to southwest Florida cut a swath of destruction across the Everglades. The construction of Alligator Alley (Route 75) and Route 41 disrupted the natural flow of water, almost wiped-out critical habitat and entire species of animals and birds and left a legacy of destruction and greed that projects like the Picayune Strand Restoration Project begun in 2007 were designed to correct .
The original restoration project and current Picayune Strand Wildlife Management Area (WMA) are part of the greater Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP) that was authorized by Congress in 2000 to restore, preserve, and protect the south Florida ecosystem and all water-related needs of the region. CERP, with an original 35-yeartimeline, has made extraordinary progress in restoring sheet water flow of the Everglades to Florida Bay, restoring critical habitat and clean water along the way.
Championed by Governor Ron DeSantis and the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD), the Picayune Strand Restoration Project has been among the most successful environmental projects in the nation restoring sheet water flow, recharging the aquifer, and restoring native habitat and wildlife to an area that is literallyin greater Collier County’s backyard. To see this incredible WMA threatened by relocating a major metropolitan airport in the middle of it is incomprehensible.
The City of Marco Island has a large stake in the Picayune Strand WMA. We currently own 160 acres of land there that liesfive miles due east of our Source Water Facility. This land is an undeveloped backup well field for the city’s water utility. In the event of a catastrophic failure or contamination at the Source Water Facility, this well field could be tapped to meet some of the City’s demands.
It is vital that we do not put this, or any of the restored area at risk by allowing a major metropolitan airport to be located anywhere in the Picayune Strand Wildlife Management Area.
I urge you to write to the Board of Collier County Commissioners and voice your opposition to adding the Picayune Strand Wildlife Management Area as a possible fifth site for the relocation of the Naples Airport.
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