First it was a chain of 5 branded golf courses in state parks, with Jonathan Dickinson SP (JDSP) specifically targeted in the proposed legislation. That was a LONG haul, and tough battle, with big newspapers across the state supporting the public outcry against it. Florida actually has a glut of golf courses, many in financial distress and closing. Local legislators, lobbyists and golfer were involved.

Then, an assault on state offices involved in land management, wildlife conservation, water quality/supply—all in the name of “creating jobs” and development, reducing state involvement/$$$$ for conservation/wildlife programs and water/land protection. That is still going on.

Now, it is a proposal to jam campgrounds into certain state parks, to be privately organized/managed/run—due to “lack” of campgrounds (ostensibly)! 53 parks in Florida’s much-awarded state park system offer camping. So, what have they targeted: places like Honeymoon Island SP in Dunedin and John D. MacArthur State Park (JDMac) on the ocean, here in PB County. JDSP (see 1st paragraph), already has a campground, heavily used seasonally.

Why JDMac?? Located on a northern estuary/arm of the Lake Worth Lagoon, at Burnt Bridge, with access to the ocean. It is a critical location on the restored LW Lagoon (Palm Beach Co. ERM project) close by Munyon. Also is a favorite spot for fishermen, waders, kayaks and canoes, nature lovers, birders, and those just seeking respite.

Intreresting, as JDMac is also “conservation” lands—as listed on the Florida Natural Areas Inventory (FNAI) website at Fl. Dept. of Environmental Protection. Friends of MacArthur Park will tell you, in their publications, that John D. MacArthur GAVE these valuable natural areas to the state of Florida in the 1970’s, to be “protected, enjoyed and studied”. Critically important, these are the last decent tracts of the coastal tropical forest in South Florida, here at JDMac. All development has, so far, been carefully carved out/placed to avoid massive intrusion effect—and that includes the main nature center, staff offices, workshops, staff housing, the big bridge, entry and the few scattered access points with stairs and facilities on the ocean!!! These are FNAI requirements for leaving the land in “conservation” status.

To put a campground in JDMac, they would have to level the whole of the conservation forest on the north end, with its nature trails, (past the carefully positioned parking areas). There can be no disturbance or intrusion in the mangrove fringes, under state law. If you look at a topographic map or visit the area, gone would be the critical target for migrating birds (water and food supply), which our chapter has discussed at length.

We CANNOT LET THIS HAPPEN. The public revolted at the public hearing in Dunedin, more than 1, 000 turned out to speak in protection of Honeymoon Island. Audubon of Florida is expecting that our chapter should lead the way on any hearing scheduled for John D. MacArthur State Park—in PROTEST !!! Also it was helpful to learn that local “for-profit campground” owners in the region did NOT appreciate the competition proposed by a privately run campground on Honeymoon Island. Especially in tough economic times—the excuse that the “public” is demanding more camp spaces, was NOT verified by usage of those places available.

If a hearing is scheduled, prepare to turn out in numbers, call your friends, and RIGHT NOW, letters to the editor of POST, in opposition to ANY camp ground proposal in JDMac are a GOOD IDEA. We will need ALL the help we can get.

Cynthia Plockelman