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Title 16, ConservationRelease 119-73not60

§410r–5 Findings, Purposes, and Definitions

Title 16 › Chapter 1— NATIONAL PARKS, MILITARY PARKS, MONUMENTS, AND SEASHORES › Subchapter LIV— EVERGLADES NATIONAL PARK › § 410r–5

Last updated Apr 5, 2026|Official source

Summary

The law adds about 107,600 acres called the East Everglades and the Northeast Shark River Slough to Everglades National Park to protect and restore the park’s water flow, habitats, and wildlife. Congress found the park is an important national and international resource but has been hurt by outside changes to its natural water system. Those changes have damaged habitats, cut fish and other resources, and caused a 90 percent loss of wading birds. Adding the lands will help stop more damage and keep the area for people to use and enjoy. The State of Florida has offered to transfer about 35,000 acres and has proposed a joint Federal-State effort to buy more land. Secretary — the Secretary of the Interior. Addition — the roughly 107,600-acre East Everglades area to be added. Park — the current Everglades National Park plus that addition. Project — the Central and Southern Florida Project.

Full Legal Text

Title 16, §410r–5

Conservation, Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)The Congress makes the following findings:
(1)The Everglades National Park is a nationally and internationally significant resource and the park has been adversely affected and continues to be adversely affected by external factors which have altered the ecosystem including the natural hydrologic conditions within the park.
(2)The existing boundary of Everglades National Park excludes the contiguous lands and waters of the Northeast Shark River Slough that are vital to long-term protection of the park and restoration of natural hydrologic conditions within the park.
(3)Wildlife resources and their associated habitats have been adversely impacted by the alteration of natural hydrologic conditions within the park, which has contributed to an overall decline in fishery resources and a 90 percent population loss of wading birds.
(4)Incorporation of the Northeast Shark River Slough and the East Everglades within the park will limit further losses suffered by the park due to habitat destruction outside the present park boundaries and will preserve valuable ecological resources for use and enjoyment by future generations.
(5)The State of Florida and certain of its political subdivisions or agencies have indicated a willingness to transfer approximately 35,000 acres of lands under their jurisdiction to the park in order to protect lands and water within the park, and may so transfer additional lands in the future.
(6)The State of Florida has proposed a joint Federal-State effort to protect Everglades National Park through the acquisition of additional lands.
(b)The purposes of sections 410r–5 to 410r–8 of this title are to—
(1)increase the level of protection of the outstanding natural values of Everglades National Park and to enhance and restore the ecological values, natural hydrologic conditions, and public enjoyment of such area by adding the area commonly known as the Northeast Shark River Slough and the East Everglades to Everglades National Park; and
(2)assure that the park is managed in order to maintain the natural abundance, diversity, and ecological integrity of native plants and animals, as well as the behavior of native animals, as a part of their ecosystem.
(c)As used in sections 410r–5 to 410r–8 of this title:
(1)The term “Secretary” means the Secretary of the Interior.
(2)The term “addition” means the approximately 107,600 acre area of the East Everglades area authorized to be added to Everglades National Park by sections 410r–5 to 410r–8 of this title.
(3)The term “park” means the area encompassing the existing boundary of Everglades National Park and the addition area described in paragraph (2).
(4)The term “project” means the Central and Southern Florida Project.

Legislative History

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Short Title

of 1997 Amendment Pub. L. 105–82, § 1, Nov. 13, 1997, 111 Stat. 1540, provided that: “This Act [amending section 410r–7 of this title, enacting provisions set out as a note under section 410r–7 of this title, and amending provisions listed in a table of Wilderness Areas set out under section 1132 of this title] may be cited as the ‘Marjory Stoneman Douglas Wilderness and Ernest F. Coe Visitor Center Designation Act’.”

Short Title

Pub. L. 101–229, § 1, Dec. 13, 1989, 103 Stat. 1946, provided that: “This Act [enacting this section and sections 410r–6 to 410r–8 of this title] may be cited as the ‘Everglades National Park Protection and Expansion Act of 1989’.”

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

16 U.S.C. § 410r–5

Title 16, Conservation

Last Updated

Apr 5, 2026

Release point: 119-73not60