SFWMD Curry Island Land to be leased to Glades County

[N. Cook]

We learned today an item on the Monday night 3/28 Glades County Commission meeting (6 pm at the Glades County Courthouse in Moorehaven) is an agreement to lease 688 acres of Curry Island land from the SFWMD.....Not a lot of details at this late hour...What else is new!

No mention of it at the WRAC REC meeting this past week by SFWMD staff!

That is a large chunk of Curry Island that seems to be headed for "park"!

Will try for more info Monday am....but suggest people with an interest in Curry Island need to check out the meeting....

[N. Cook]

Thanks to Capt. Chris for attending the meeting and speaking for the hunting community. It has been reported that the lease specifically had language that would allow hunting on the properties involved. Also, FAA members are reported to have contacted Commissioners supporting hunting and public access.

There remains some concern how this item could get so far down the line without being discussed at the SFWMD WRAC Recreation meetings....We can only find discussion regarding boat ramps being repaired at another nearby property and nothing on this particular land. Staff at SFWMD is checking into the reasons for us.

[N. Cook]

We now have a copy of the lease and the facts are there is no guarantee that hunting will be allowed....basically says "traditional uses"....no mention of huntng per se...

The lease refers to the area as a "park" and "wilderness"....neither good terms for hunting access....

Will continue to clarify as info becomes available.