Cattle Grazing in Myakka River State Park

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is looking to use 6,630 acres of the 37,000 acre Myakka River State Park for cattle grazing. The park is home to native vegetation, insects and wildlife. 

The DEP is now soliciting responses from qualified professionals to conduct cattle grazing and provide in-kind restoration services according to the DEP’s Request For Proposal.  (See below)

A DEP analysis last year found that about 27 million people visited all Florida parks, generating an economic impact of $2.1 billion.

Arguments for allowing cattle grazing in Myakka:
--Make the park more self-sustaining thus helping taxpayers  
“The department (DEP) continually looks for opportunities to expand visitor services and recreation as well as make our parks and lands more self-sustaining. This both benefits taxpayers and ensures natural resources are protected into the future by guaranteeing that the parks system will be able to fund operations to achieve its ultimate goals of ecosystem restoration, resource-based recreation and land management and conservation.”
 
Arguments against allowing cattle grazing in Myakka:
--Local activists say it will destroy a rare habitat
“It’s a very open flat habitat with very few trees. It’s very rare in the state of Florida,” per environmental activist Jono Miller
“Ninety-five percent of it is a rare native habitat called Dry Prairie. The other 5% that was pasture at one time has been abandoned for 17 years. So it’s not appropriate for cattle”

Right now there are no watering holes or fences. The land will have to be materially changed to accommodate cattle

--Turning state parks into profit centers will undercut their mission of preserving and showcasing Florida's environment and history. 
For decades, "Florida's lawmakers, governors and administrators understood that a state park was … for the perpetual preservation of unique portions of original, natural Florida," Phillip A. Werndli, who recently retired as chief historian of the Florida Park Service, said in April. In fact, state law said the parks are supposed to "conserve these natural values for all time."

However, in recent years state legislators and other officials have proposed changing the parks to promote other values. In 2011, for instance, then-Sen. John Thrasher proposed legislation to allow golf courses and resort hotels in some parks - a bill that was quickly withdrawn due to public pressure.

--This is a slippery slope.
Other money-making proposals for different state parks are logging, allowing cell towers and hunting. There is a Dec 31 timeline to allow logging, hunting and cattle grazing in specific state parks (not all).

"State parks are supposed to be a place that protects wildlife, not a place to kill them," said Frank Jackalone of the Sierra Club. "Talk about destroying the recreational experience for people."    

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Request for Proposal: Cattle Grazing and In-Kind Services at Myakka River State Park

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is soliciting responses from qualified professionals to conduct cattle grazing and provide in-kind restoration services in lieu of payment described below at Myakka River State Park in Sarasota County, Florida.  The proposed cattle grazing area is 6,630 acres and consists of Dry Prairie, Mesic Flatwoods, Prairie Hammock, Depression Marsh and ruderal areas.  In kind services will be performed on an annual basis beginning in 2015.  The contract will be awarded to the vendor that bids the highest percentage of in-kind services to DEP .  The contractor awarded this project will be responsible for coordinating and administering all aspects required in the cattle grazing specifications as well as providing the in-kind services listed in this document.  

The successful bidder will be required to submit pricing for alternative work  to be done in lieu of payments to DEP.  This work will be done at Myakka River State Park and will include the following types of work – Prescribed burning, mechanical restoration utilizing roller chopper, tree cutter or similar equipment, fireline maintenance and creation, exotic plant treatment, and hydrologic restoration projects. These projects will be done in priority order as provided in the Scope of Work in lieu of payment for cattle grazing.
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If you agree with the Florida DEP, your state government is leading this charge for change.


If you disagree with turning Florida state parks into profit centers, sign the petition at: 
www.change.org/p/florida-department-of-environmental-protection-stop-the-proposed-cattle-lease-in-myakka-river-state-park

Then contact your representative and let him/her know that you are against this proposal.

State Senate -  District 26
Senator Bill Galvano
CAPITOL OFFICE:
326 Senate Office Building
404 South Monroe Street
Tallahassee, FL 32399-1100 
Phone: (850) 487-5026

DISTRICT OFFICE:
1023 Manatee Avenue West
Suite 201
Bradenton, FL 34205
Phone: (941) 741-3401

State House - District 73
W. Gregory "Greg" Steube
CAPITOL OFFICE:
204 House Office Building
402 South Monroe Street
Tallahassee , FL 32399-1300
Phone: (850) 717-5073

DISTRICT OFFICE:
Unit A
722 Apex Road
Sarasota , FL 34240-1713
Phone: (941) 341-3117