DEFEND THE SACRED
DEFEND THE SACRED
Special places like Big Cypress and the Greater Everglades.
Big Cypress is special to so many people, that's what makes it Sacred.
You can learn to love this place, too.
Defend The Sacred -- reminds us of the unique message of the Original Peoples of this land.
People like the Miccosukee and Seminole.
We continue to support the environmental priorities of the Miccosukee and Seminole people, because of their lived experience in the Everglades, plus all the great scientific work that they produce.
This page offers a variety of info, mostly in chronological order -- newer information is at the top, older info at the bottom.
We're working on updating our overall website, but it's going slow for us.
The latest information that we have available is being published through our social media accounts on INSTAGRAM and FACEBOOK.
FACEBOOK
https://www.facebook.com/LoveTheEverglades
INSTAGRAM
https://www.instagram.com/love_the_everglades/
Special places like Big Cypress and the Greater Everglades.
Big Cypress is special to so many people, that's what makes it Sacred.
You can learn to love this place, too.
Defend The Sacred -- reminds us of the unique message of the Original Peoples of this land.
People like the Miccosukee and Seminole.
We continue to support the environmental priorities of the Miccosukee and Seminole people, because of their lived experience in the Everglades, plus all the great scientific work that they produce.
This page offers a variety of info, mostly in chronological order -- newer information is at the top, older info at the bottom.
We're working on updating our overall website, but it's going slow for us.
The latest information that we have available is being published through our social media accounts on INSTAGRAM and FACEBOOK.
https://www.facebook.com/LoveTheEverglades
https://www.instagram.com/love_the_everglades/
TAMIAMI TRAIL ACTION (2022)
Our friends from the Miccosukee community wanted to catch people's attention and share the message of DEFEND THE SACRED.
Big Cypress is currently being threatened by proposed oil drilling operations at 2 sites in the National Preserve. One of these sites is very close to the Miccosukee Indian Reservation.
You can speak up to your public or elected officials about this concern.
Big Cypress is currently being threatened by proposed oil drilling operations at 2 sites in the National Preserve. One of these sites is very close to the Miccosukee Indian Reservation.
You can speak up to your public or elected officials about this concern.
SHREK: What Are You Doing In My Swamp?!
MORE INFO BELOW
Below you'll find more info on previous events that we've supported.
We always look to the indigenous community for leadership on these matters.
We also have press articles and videos regarding this series of events.
COPY OF LETTER FROM PENINSULA ENGINEERING
BURNETT OIL WITHDRAWS APPLICATION
BY DAN WATERS
2/22/2022
https://content.govdelivery.com/attachments/FLDEP/2022/02/22/file_attachments/2083357/Nobles%20and%20Tamiami%20Withdrawal%20Request_signed.pdf
WLRN
THERE'S A NEW PLAN TO END DECADES OF DRILLING IN BIG CYPRESS
BY JENNY STALETOVICH
11/7/2022
https://www.wlrn.org/environment/2022-11-07/theres-a-new-plan-to-end-decades-of-drilling-in-big-cypress
FLORIDA PHOENIX
FLORIDA DEP'S HANDLING OF WETLANDS PERMITS HAS BECOME A COLOSSAL "CHARLIE FOXTROT"
BY CRAIG PITTMAN
1/27/2022
https://floridaphoenix.com/2022/01/27/florida-deps-handling-of-wetland-permits-has-become-a-colossal-charlie-foxtrot/?fbclid=IwAR0zILK9YGC5oiVkPoQRksWVqvvTaQXlL8Qh4xnp-aFmwsTQ9Uig54WsNFE
PRISM
INDIGENOUS ADVOCATES IN FLORIDA SAY OIL DRILLING IN BIG CYPRESS WILL DESTROY SACRED SITES
BY ALEXANDRA MARTINEZ
1/13/2022
https://prismreports.org/2022/01/13/indigenous-advocates-in-florida-say-oil-drilling-in-big-cypress-will-destroy-sacred-sites/
NEWS-PRESS
DEP: TEXAS OIL COMPANY PERMIT FOR EXPLORATORY WELL IN BIG CYPRESS MAY BE DENIED
BY CHAD GILLIS
12/23/2021
https://www.news-press.com/story/news/local/2021/12/23/dep-burnett-more-info-drilling-seismic-testing-big-cypress-national-preserve/9006701002/
WINK NEWS
MICCOSUKEE TRIBE PROTESTS BIG OIL COMPANY DRILLING AT BIG CYPRESS
BY RACHEL COX-ROSEN AND JACK LOWENSTEIN
4/12/2O21
https://winknews.com/2021/04/12/miccosukee-tribe-protests-big-oil-company-drilling-at-big-cypress/
NAPLES DAILY NEWS
CITIZENS PROTEST PROPOSED OIL DRILLING IN BIG CYPRESS WITH HIKE, TALKS
BY KARL SCHNEIDER
4/10/2021
https://www.naplesnews.com/story/tech/science/environment/2021/04/10/hikers-protest-proposed-oil-drilling-big-cypress-national-preserve/4839482001/
NATURAL RESOURCES DEFENSE COUNCIL
SOUTH FLORIDA'S DIRTY SECRET IS OIL
BY ALISON KELLY
3/18/2021
https://www.nrdc.org/bio/alison-kelly/south-floridas-dirty-secret-oil
SOUTHERLY
BIDEN'S PAUSE ON NEW OIL AND GAS LEASES MAY NOT APPLY IN THIS EVERGLADES PRESERVE
BY DEAN RUSSELL
3/9/2021
https://southerlymag.org/2021/03/09/bidens-pause-on-new-oil-and-gas-leases-may-not-apply-in-this-everglades-preserve/
NATIONAL PARKS CONSERVATION ASSOCIATION
BURNETT OIL SEEKING TO DRILL IN BIG CYPRESS NATIONAL PRESERVE, PART OF AMERICA'S EVERGLADES
PRESS RELEASE
2/3/2021
https://www.npca.org/articles/2802-burnett-oil-seeking-to-drill-in-big-cypress-national-preserve-part-of
NEWS-PRESS
DEFENDING THE SACRED: INDIGENOUS NATIONS AND EVERGLADES ADVOCATES JOIN IN PRAYER WALK
BY AMY BENNETT WILLIAMS
1/15/2021
https://www.news-press.com/story/tech/science/environment/2021/01/15/defending-sacred-indigenous-nations-and-everglades-advocates-join-prayer-walk/6608360002/?fbclid=IwAR0eJS0x20daBv6ig0qNlKrvYdMmqUog700CsXzr4Y8k-FHmvfQK-S8rc40
EARTHJUSTICE
EARTHJUSTICE SUES ON BEHALF OF CONSERVATION GROUPS TO STOP EPA RUBBER-STAMPING FLORIDA WETLANDS DESTRUCTION
PRESS RELEASE
1/14/2021
https://earthjustice.org/press/2021/earthjustice-sues-on-behalf-of-conservation-groups-to-stop-epa-rubber-stamping-florida-wetlands-destruction?fbclid=IwAR3bnL1R66qv82i2MSStCK8bBbtCJVnllLnI8eVCYdVUj2mLfyY4uaA4nM4
THE GAINESVILLE IGUANA
DEFEND THE SACRED PRAYER WALK
BY VICTORIA MACHADO
1/13/2021
https://gainesvilleiguana.org/2021/articles/defend-the-sacred-prayer-walk/?fbclid=IwAR3m4LUH-IaD5YxrPZsuJ_Ka4eX0U4TYuA-d3_j5-F02pb7f8ZzvMtu-wCg
CLEWISTON NEWS
DEFENDING THE SACRED EVERGLADES
BY DANIKA J. FORNEAR
1/6/2021
https://www.southcentralfloridalife.com/clewiston/stories/defending-the-sacred-everglades,14707
FLORIDA PHOENIX
EPA BOSS PLAYS SANTA FOR FLORIDA DEVELOPERS
BY CRAIG PITTMAN
12/24/2020
https://floridaphoenix.com/2020/12/24/epa-boss-plays-santa-for-fl-developers/
MIAMI HERALD -- paywall, subscribers only
FLORIDA NOW "IN THE DRIVER'S SEAT" OF WETLANDS REGULATION. ENVIRONMENTALISTS DON'T LIKE THAT
BY ADRIANA BRASILEIRO
12/17/2020
https://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/environment/article247911050.html
SOUTHEAST AGNET RADIO NETWORK
FDACS COMMISSIONER NIKKI FRIED ON FLORIDA SEIZING WETLANDS PERMITTING FROM EPA
12/17/2020
https://southeastagnet.com/2020/12/17/commissioner-nikki-fried-florida-seizing-wetlands-permitting-epa/
SOUTHEAST AGNET RADIO NETWORK
FDACS COMMISSIONER NIKKI FRIED COMMENTS ON THE FLORIDA REQUEST TO ASSUME EPA RESPONSIBILITIES ON CLEAN WATER ACT
10/27/2020
https://southeastagnet.com/2020/10/27/commissioner-fried-comments-florida-request-assume-epa-responsibilities-clean-water-act/
We always look to the indigenous community for leadership on these matters.
We also have press articles and videos regarding this series of events.
COPY OF LETTER FROM PENINSULA ENGINEERING
BURNETT OIL WITHDRAWS APPLICATION
BY DAN WATERS
2/22/2022
https://content.govdelivery.com/attachments/FLDEP/2022/02/22/file_attachments/2083357/Nobles%20and%20Tamiami%20Withdrawal%20Request_signed.pdf
WLRN
THERE'S A NEW PLAN TO END DECADES OF DRILLING IN BIG CYPRESS
BY JENNY STALETOVICH
11/7/2022
https://www.wlrn.org/environment/2022-11-07/theres-a-new-plan-to-end-decades-of-drilling-in-big-cypress
FLORIDA PHOENIX
FLORIDA DEP'S HANDLING OF WETLANDS PERMITS HAS BECOME A COLOSSAL "CHARLIE FOXTROT"
BY CRAIG PITTMAN
1/27/2022
https://floridaphoenix.com/2022/01/27/florida-deps-handling-of-wetland-permits-has-become-a-colossal-charlie-foxtrot/?fbclid=IwAR0zILK9YGC5oiVkPoQRksWVqvvTaQXlL8Qh4xnp-aFmwsTQ9Uig54WsNFE
PRISM
INDIGENOUS ADVOCATES IN FLORIDA SAY OIL DRILLING IN BIG CYPRESS WILL DESTROY SACRED SITES
BY ALEXANDRA MARTINEZ
1/13/2022
https://prismreports.org/2022/01/13/indigenous-advocates-in-florida-say-oil-drilling-in-big-cypress-will-destroy-sacred-sites/
NEWS-PRESS
DEP: TEXAS OIL COMPANY PERMIT FOR EXPLORATORY WELL IN BIG CYPRESS MAY BE DENIED
BY CHAD GILLIS
12/23/2021
https://www.news-press.com/story/news/local/2021/12/23/dep-burnett-more-info-drilling-seismic-testing-big-cypress-national-preserve/9006701002/
WINK NEWS
MICCOSUKEE TRIBE PROTESTS BIG OIL COMPANY DRILLING AT BIG CYPRESS
BY RACHEL COX-ROSEN AND JACK LOWENSTEIN
4/12/2O21
https://winknews.com/2021/04/12/miccosukee-tribe-protests-big-oil-company-drilling-at-big-cypress/
NAPLES DAILY NEWS
CITIZENS PROTEST PROPOSED OIL DRILLING IN BIG CYPRESS WITH HIKE, TALKS
BY KARL SCHNEIDER
4/10/2021
https://www.naplesnews.com/story/tech/science/environment/2021/04/10/hikers-protest-proposed-oil-drilling-big-cypress-national-preserve/4839482001/
NATURAL RESOURCES DEFENSE COUNCIL
SOUTH FLORIDA'S DIRTY SECRET IS OIL
BY ALISON KELLY
3/18/2021
https://www.nrdc.org/bio/alison-kelly/south-floridas-dirty-secret-oil
SOUTHERLY
BIDEN'S PAUSE ON NEW OIL AND GAS LEASES MAY NOT APPLY IN THIS EVERGLADES PRESERVE
BY DEAN RUSSELL
3/9/2021
https://southerlymag.org/2021/03/09/bidens-pause-on-new-oil-and-gas-leases-may-not-apply-in-this-everglades-preserve/
NATIONAL PARKS CONSERVATION ASSOCIATION
BURNETT OIL SEEKING TO DRILL IN BIG CYPRESS NATIONAL PRESERVE, PART OF AMERICA'S EVERGLADES
PRESS RELEASE
2/3/2021
https://www.npca.org/articles/2802-burnett-oil-seeking-to-drill-in-big-cypress-national-preserve-part-of
NEWS-PRESS
DEFENDING THE SACRED: INDIGENOUS NATIONS AND EVERGLADES ADVOCATES JOIN IN PRAYER WALK
BY AMY BENNETT WILLIAMS
1/15/2021
https://www.news-press.com/story/tech/science/environment/2021/01/15/defending-sacred-indigenous-nations-and-everglades-advocates-join-prayer-walk/6608360002/?fbclid=IwAR0eJS0x20daBv6ig0qNlKrvYdMmqUog700CsXzr4Y8k-FHmvfQK-S8rc40
EARTHJUSTICE
EARTHJUSTICE SUES ON BEHALF OF CONSERVATION GROUPS TO STOP EPA RUBBER-STAMPING FLORIDA WETLANDS DESTRUCTION
PRESS RELEASE
1/14/2021
https://earthjustice.org/press/2021/earthjustice-sues-on-behalf-of-conservation-groups-to-stop-epa-rubber-stamping-florida-wetlands-destruction?fbclid=IwAR3bnL1R66qv82i2MSStCK8bBbtCJVnllLnI8eVCYdVUj2mLfyY4uaA4nM4
THE GAINESVILLE IGUANA
DEFEND THE SACRED PRAYER WALK
BY VICTORIA MACHADO
1/13/2021
https://gainesvilleiguana.org/2021/articles/defend-the-sacred-prayer-walk/?fbclid=IwAR3m4LUH-IaD5YxrPZsuJ_Ka4eX0U4TYuA-d3_j5-F02pb7f8ZzvMtu-wCg
CLEWISTON NEWS
DEFENDING THE SACRED EVERGLADES
BY DANIKA J. FORNEAR
1/6/2021
https://www.southcentralfloridalife.com/clewiston/stories/defending-the-sacred-everglades,14707
FLORIDA PHOENIX
EPA BOSS PLAYS SANTA FOR FLORIDA DEVELOPERS
BY CRAIG PITTMAN
12/24/2020
https://floridaphoenix.com/2020/12/24/epa-boss-plays-santa-for-fl-developers/
MIAMI HERALD -- paywall, subscribers only
FLORIDA NOW "IN THE DRIVER'S SEAT" OF WETLANDS REGULATION. ENVIRONMENTALISTS DON'T LIKE THAT
BY ADRIANA BRASILEIRO
12/17/2020
https://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/environment/article247911050.html
SOUTHEAST AGNET RADIO NETWORK
FDACS COMMISSIONER NIKKI FRIED ON FLORIDA SEIZING WETLANDS PERMITTING FROM EPA
12/17/2020
https://southeastagnet.com/2020/12/17/commissioner-nikki-fried-florida-seizing-wetlands-permitting-epa/
SOUTHEAST AGNET RADIO NETWORK
FDACS COMMISSIONER NIKKI FRIED COMMENTS ON THE FLORIDA REQUEST TO ASSUME EPA RESPONSIBILITIES ON CLEAN WATER ACT
10/27/2020
https://southeastagnet.com/2020/10/27/commissioner-fried-comments-florida-request-assume-epa-responsibilities-clean-water-act/
SIGNS ACROSS THE ALLEY
SATURDAY, APRIL 10, 2021
Mile Marker 63 on Interstate 75 Alligator Alley
Collier County Rest Area
14 Miles West of Miccosukee Service Plaza
9:00 am - Hike thru Big Cypress
4:00 pm - Rally with Guest Speakers
Mile Marker 63 on Interstate 75 Alligator Alley
Collier County Rest Area
14 Miles West of Miccosukee Service Plaza
9:00 am - Hike thru Big Cypress
4:00 pm - Rally with Guest Speakers
UPDATE AFTER THE EVENT
The Event was successful in being well-attended for both the morning HIKE and the afternoon RALLY; as well as being reported in both PRINT and TELEVISION press media.
PRINT
NAPLES DAILY NEWS
by Karl Schneider
CITIZENS PROTEST PROPOSED OIL DRILLING IN BIG CYPRESS WITH HIKE, TALKS
https://www.naplesnews.com/story/tech/science/environment/2021/04/10/hikers-protest-proposed-oil-drilling-big-cypress-national-preserve/4839482001/
TELEVISION
WINK NEWS
MICCOSUKEE TRIBE PROTESTS BIG OIL COMPANY DRILLING AT BIG CYPRESS
https://www.winknews.com/2021/04/12/miccosukee-tribe-protests-big-oil-company-drilling-at-big-cypress/?fbclid=IwAR3kbJoFUfUjAIiSNADc_fW5V3zTEkY6aviCKfwn7J-f1n0CFK2su_49umI
Thank you very much to everyone who helped out, who showed up, who supported us from afar.
WE ARE ALSO PLANNING MORE ACTIONS AND EVENTS.
STAY TUNED.
NAPLES DAILY NEWS
by Karl Schneider
CITIZENS PROTEST PROPOSED OIL DRILLING IN BIG CYPRESS WITH HIKE, TALKS
https://www.naplesnews.com/story/tech/science/environment/2021/04/10/hikers-protest-proposed-oil-drilling-big-cypress-national-preserve/4839482001/
TELEVISION
WINK NEWS
MICCOSUKEE TRIBE PROTESTS BIG OIL COMPANY DRILLING AT BIG CYPRESS
https://www.winknews.com/2021/04/12/miccosukee-tribe-protests-big-oil-company-drilling-at-big-cypress/?fbclid=IwAR3kbJoFUfUjAIiSNADc_fW5V3zTEkY6aviCKfwn7J-f1n0CFK2su_49umI
Thank you very much to everyone who helped out, who showed up, who supported us from afar.
WE ARE ALSO PLANNING MORE ACTIONS AND EVENTS.
STAY TUNED.
QR CODE
Download and Share this QR Code.
It will link you to this page.
This way, people will know our recommended course of action.
It will link you to this page.
This way, people will know our recommended course of action.
TO DO LIST
Sharing NRDC’s action alert to Secretary Haaland on the proposed new oil drilling. It is Florida panther focused because it was quicker to update a prior action alert from the Trump administration. Please feel free to share:
https://act.nrdc.org/letter/big-cypress-panther-170821/?_ga=2.196575785.42808818.1618188486-1336211018.1533580820
They have been using the following hastags to keep track of related social media:
#SaveBigCypress
#DontDrillTheEverglades
https://act.nrdc.org/letter/big-cypress-panther-170821/?_ga=2.196575785.42808818.1618188486-1336211018.1533580820
They have been using the following hastags to keep track of related social media:
#SaveBigCypress
#DontDrillTheEverglades
Media Advisory
Some Background
Recently, the US Environmental Protection Agency transferred the authority to permit construction activities in sensitive areas (Clean Water Act Section 404 Permitting) from their federal level and over to the State of Florida's Department of Environmental Protection. Specifically, we are referring to dredge and fill activities in wetlands.
This is a problem for many reasons, including FDEP being underfunded and understaffed, and the many ways this damages federal obligations to indigenous nations such as the Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida and Seminole Tribe of Florida.
Since the time Florida Assumed 404 Permitting, this is the earliest applications under the new system for Burnett Oil to setup Drilling Operations in this beautiful and sacred landscape of the Big Cypress National Preserve. If these 404 Permits for Burnett Oil were approved, it would further damage the environmental integrity of the land on all levels.
Environmental Educators are coming together to invite a show of love for the Big Cypress forest.
The event will respect and require the need for masks, social distancing, and other precautionary measures to respect safety during a global pandemic. The Golden Rule is a beautiful practice.
This is a problem for many reasons, including FDEP being underfunded and understaffed, and the many ways this damages federal obligations to indigenous nations such as the Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida and Seminole Tribe of Florida.
Since the time Florida Assumed 404 Permitting, this is the earliest applications under the new system for Burnett Oil to setup Drilling Operations in this beautiful and sacred landscape of the Big Cypress National Preserve. If these 404 Permits for Burnett Oil were approved, it would further damage the environmental integrity of the land on all levels.
Environmental Educators are coming together to invite a show of love for the Big Cypress forest.
The event will respect and require the need for masks, social distancing, and other precautionary measures to respect safety during a global pandemic. The Golden Rule is a beautiful practice.
Useful Links
SOUTH FLORIDA'S DIRTY SECRET IS OIL
https://www.nrdc.org/experts/alison-kelly/south-floridas-dirty-secret-oil
Alison Kelly from the Natural Resources Defense Council wrote an article with a lot of info and an easy way to send a letter about this issue.
BIDEN'S PAUSE ON NEW OIL AND GAS LEASES MAY NOT APPLY IN THIS EVERGLADES PRESERVE
https://southerlymag.org/2021/03/09/bidens-pause-on-new-oil-and-gas-leases-may-not-apply-in-this-everglades-preserve/
Dean Russell from Southerly Mag offers a great overview of the political landscape related to this issue.
https://www.nrdc.org/experts/alison-kelly/south-floridas-dirty-secret-oil
Alison Kelly from the Natural Resources Defense Council wrote an article with a lot of info and an easy way to send a letter about this issue.
BIDEN'S PAUSE ON NEW OIL AND GAS LEASES MAY NOT APPLY IN THIS EVERGLADES PRESERVE
https://southerlymag.org/2021/03/09/bidens-pause-on-new-oil-and-gas-leases-may-not-apply-in-this-everglades-preserve/
Dean Russell from Southerly Mag offers a great overview of the political landscape related to this issue.
Some slogans we honor:
Defend The Sacred
Say NO to Burnett Oil
Speak Up for Nature
Respect Nature's Rights
Say NO to Burnett Oil
Speak Up for Nature
Respect Nature's Rights