Letter Regarding Oil Development in Big Cypress National Preserve

On behalf of the undersigned organizations, and our members in Florida and nationwide who are dedicated to protecting federal lands and national park sites, we write to express our concerns about the current status of oil and gas exploration, production, and clean-up activities in the Big Cypress National Preserve (BICY). In particular, our concerns include the lack of updated 36 C.F.R. 9(B) regulations, the lack of a consistent, up-to-date oil and gas management plan for oil and gas activities throughout BICY (a “Preserve-wide Oil & Gas Plan”) and Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for same, and Burnett Oil Company, Inc.’s (Burnett’s) proposal for geophysical exploration in BICY, as described in its state permit application.