The critical habitat for some of Florida's endangered and threatened 

 species (mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and plants) in Southwest Flor- 

 ida are listed in Figure 7. As their habitat continues to disappear, so also 

 do their numbers. A further description of habitat destruction is given else- 

 where in this report. 



PUBLIC OWNERSHIP AND MANAGEMENT OF LAND 



Extensive tracts of land in Southwest Florida are owned by Federal, 

 State, and local governments, and are used for a variety of purposes. The 

 vast holdings of the Federal Government include the Everglades National Park 

 and the Big Cypress National Preserve that encompass large tracts of land in 

 Monroe and Collier Counties, with the Faxahatchee Strand, Cayo Costa North 

 Captiva Islands, and Weeden Island in Pinellas County. There are other 

 smaller State, Federal, and local holdings throughout the region. The purchase 

 of even more fresh and saltwater swamps in Southwest Florida by Government 

 agencies are attempts to retain the quality of the remaining wetlands for 

 water retention, conservation, groundwater recharge, and flood control. 



The State's Environmentally Endangered Lands program provides an impor- 

 tant source of funding for acquisition of biologically and hydrologically 

 valuable lands in Southwest Florida (Figure 8). Other purchases are or will 

 be made to expand the recreational opportunities and wildlife habitat to com- 

 pliment other land uses. 



Aquatic Preserves 



Southwest Florida has an abundance of highly productive and well pro- 

 tected aquatic preserves managed by the Florida State Department of Natural 

 Resources (Figure 9). Current legislation for aquatic preserves is undergoing 

 modifications that will further upgrade their protection. 



The administration of aquatic preserves by the Department of Natural 

 Resources was established in the Florida Aquatic Preserve Act of 1975 (Ch. 258 

 Florida Statutues), and states in part that: 



It is a legislative intent that the state-owned sub- 

 merged lands in the areas which have exceptional biological, 

 aesthetic and scientific value, it is hereinafter described 

 to be set aside forever as aquatic preserves or sanctuaries 

 for the benefit of future generations. 



Waste disposal, dredging, and filling are severely curtailed in aquatic 

 preserves, as discussed in greater detail in a later section. 



The State's major wildlife management areas are shown in Figure 10. The 

 three in Southwest Florida are the Big Cypress, Cecil Webb, and Hillsborough 

 Wildlife Management Areas. A list of Florida's State preserves, forests, and 

 parks are given in Figure 11. A large number of these facilities are in 

 Southwest Florida, including the Myakka State Park in Sarasota County, the 

 Collier-Seminole Park in Collier County, and the John Pennekamp Coral Reef 

 Park in Monroe County. 



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