Deep in the heart of the Everglades, surrounded by miles of sawgrass and cypress trees, there sits a site for an ICE detention center to be built from the ground up. If you’re reading this article, there’s a good chance you’re already familiar with it. Alligator Alcatraz, as it’s being dubbed, is the newest instance of governmental overreach that threatens to mar the natural order of the protected Everglades ecosystem.
Before rolling around in the mud, I want to preface this article. This is a hot button issue, so it’s bound to bring up strong emotions for most people who pay attention to either politics or environmental conservation. At the Angler Action Foundation, we aren’t interested in politics in the traditional sense. We try and leave moral issues and personal affiliations out of any decisions we make, actions we ask for from our supporters, and any writing that we carry out. Instead, we separate actions or choices from those making them, and provide input based on how we think they will affect the future of the ecosystem in question.
Simply put, we don’t care who you voted for, or who is behind a decision, we just care about the future environmental implications of that decision in a vacuum.
Alligator Alcatraz defies all logic. Honestly, besides the snappy name and brief image that pops up in your head whenever said name is mentioned, there’s no reason for this facility to exist in a federally protected area to begin with. The sensitive location that officials chose to build on, coupled with the fact that they did not carry out a mandatory environmental impact analysis leaves many puzzled as to why this proposal is being haphazardly fast tracked in the first place. It’s almost like officials think that by building the facility in the middle of the iconic Everglades, anyone that escapes will fall victim to the carnivorous critters in the surrounding area. This is absurd, as it is well known that most animals, even those that get a bad rap for being maneaters, will run at the mere sight of people.
The Everglades, and by extension the Big Cypress National Preserve (the specific area in which the ICE facility is being built) is a massive ecosystem, unique even to the rest of the world. Even miniscule changes to one part of it can compound into an environmental disaster miles away- and once something detrimental happens on a large enough scale, it can be impossible to ever restore to its natural state. Garrett Stuart, an environmental scientist that I had the opportunity to speak with on the issue, likens the Everglades to the circulatory system in the body. Both the aquatic and terrestrial aspects of the region coalesce into an ever evolving, healthy balance of life, growth, and death for all of its flora and fauna.
“This new facility would be a giant blood clot in the heart of the Everglades “ Garrett told me, sparing no disdain for the project in his voice. Being a member of the Osceola family, who had a large hand in establishing Big Cypress as the nation’s first national preserve, Garrett takes matters regarding the protected lands extremely seriously. Any negative impact this facility has on the ecosystem directly impacts not only his family’s legacy, but his home as well, since he resides just a few miles from the project site.
Unfortunately, this isn’t the first time that strides have been taken to interrupt the natural order of Big Cypress. In fact, one reason for its establishment was due to the proposal for a large scale airport on the grounds. People fought back against this, the preserve was established, and construction of the airport soon halted, never to be completed. Ironically, this very same airport is now the base for Alligator Alcatraz. It’s comforting to know that in the past, our voices were enough to deter such poorly planned undertakings. Nowadays, we have even more avenues for reaching out to government officials, so make yourself heard in any way you can (more on this toward the end of the article).
This project has moved forward at such breakneck speeds, Garrett believes that if enough people speak up, they would have the means to pack up and move out just as quickly as the whole debacle began. I can only hope that the words he left me with toward the end of our interview ring true for all those involved with the project, and anyone in the future who thinks similar ventures will go their way. “Nature sees you. Nature needs you. Nature will remember the actions you took, and the decisions you made.”
Organizations founded on the basis of environmental regulation have staunchly opposed Alligator Alcatraz in recent days. One of these organizations, the Friends of the Everglades, has filed a federal lawsuit against it, citing the lack of an environmental impact analysis as grounds for deeming the project illegal. Even without an official environmental impact analysis, it’s clear to see the importance of the preserve as part of the Everglades. According to Eve Samples, Executive Director of Friends of the Everglades, it has been well documented that many endangered species call Big Cypress home. In fact, Florida Panthers have been tracked moving across the runway at some points. Big Cypress is also an internationally recognized dark area, historically free from light pollution. Not only does this drive people to visit the area to see the night sky, it is important for native animal populations who rely on specific types of light for navigation and other survival practices.
One concern that Eve and I shared was the cyclical nature of protected land abuse. As mentioned before, this isn’t the first time something like this has happened. Lack of transparency is the common theme among transgressions in the past, as it is today. With each misstep, she hopes that it becomes clearer and clearer for the public to see why taking action is important. With this lawsuit being filed, opposition to the ICE facility has taken on some momentum, which we can hopefully turn into action. She had this to say, regarding the importance of capitalizing on the momentum while we still have it.
“A generation ago, Floridians and leaders rose up to combat existential threats against the Everglades and protected waters, and decades later we are still fighting similar fights. We must always show our dissatisfaction when our protected lands are trampled upon, so that future generations may enjoy the same outdoors experiences that we all share today. Don’t let current issues compound into something too enormous for them to even have a chance at overcoming- keep moving forward.”
Taking all of this into account, how can you make an impact? If you follow Garrett Stuart, keep an eye out for any prayer sessions that he holds near the construction site. This, alongside the influx of recent peaceful protests will offer a visual guide to public displeasure regarding the project. Additionally, click the following URL ( https://www.everglades.org/no-alligator-alcatraz/ )to visit the Friends of the Everglades website to reach out to the governor. Call your local representatives, educate your friends and family on the situation , and keep informed.
With your help, we can hopefully make this a distant memory. As always, thank you for your support.