Protesters to FPL: Open swamp
January 8th, 2009 by Post StaffChanting “open the swamp or we’re coming in,” about a dozen protesters gathered at Florida Power & Light Co.’s headquarters Thursday to demand opening of a Martin County wetland preserve they say is being drained dry by the company’s power plant.
The protesters, who have been camping out around-the-clock in shifts outside the 455-acre Barley Barber Swamp since Monday, said they will defy the no-trespassing signs and enter the swamp on Saturday. They contend the power plant near Indiantown pulls water for cooling and dries out the wetland, threatening acres of cypress trees.
FPL closed the swamp after the Sept. 11 attacks and plans to reopen it in 2010.
“This unique ecosystem continues to thrive just as it has since FP&L voluntarily preserved it 30 years ago,” Sarah Marmion, FPL spokesperson, said by e-mail.
By BILL DIPAOLO, Palm Beach Post Staff Writer
Tags: Barley Barber Swamp, camp, FPL, Indiantown, power plant, protest, trees
Subscribe to TCoastTalk's RSS Feed
Browse the photo galleries here
January 9th, 2009 at 9:19 am
These wackos only get attention on something rediculous, do you seriously think DEP is goint to allow the negative impact to a sensitive Florida wetland? Isn’t Martin County and FPL talking about opening this area up for visitors? Environmentalist extremeists only want their 15 minutes of fame in the media. How about the media following up on Martin County and FPL’s discussion on this?
January 9th, 2009 at 11:19 am
I’d love to see the media follow up on this, and tour the swamp to view the trees that have already been killed by hydroperiod alterations caused by FPL’s drawdown of the aquifer. The science is there. The Barley Barber swamp is dying, and FPL is to blame. Pure and simple.
January 9th, 2009 at 12:07 pm
The DEP is allowing is allowing a massive 3,800 MW fossil fuel power plant to be built in Western Palm Beach County just 1000 feet north of the Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge which WILL have a negative impact on the ecosystem so don’t count on them! These are NOT Wackos!
They are educated environmentalists who are devoted to keeping the public aware of what is and has been going on!
January 9th, 2009 at 8:04 pm
Our family enjoyed touring Barley Barber Swamp over the course of 3 years or so and were very sorry when it was closed to visitors after 9/11. We would eat lunch at the Seminole Inn after the tour. Now there is absolutely no reason to go to Indiantown. The Barley Barber Swamp tour was good economically for Indiantown.