July 30, 2002, Park Manager Honored for Blocking Drilling

July 30, 2002

Park Manager Honored for Blocking Drilling

WASHINGTON, DC, July 30, 2002 (ENS) - Ron Clark, chief of resource
management at Big Cypress National Preserve in Florida, is being recognized
for his work to reduce mineral mining in the park.

On Monday, Clark received the National Parks Conservation Association's
(NPCA) National Park Achievement Award for his years of creative, innovative
work in oil and gas management and for his efforts to promote the federal
purchase of much of the privately owned mineral rights in the park.

"Ron Clark's accomplishments are impressive," said Mary Munson, regional
director of the NPCA. "The millions of future visitors that will appreciate
Big Cypress as unspoiled wilderness free from oil wells and access roads
will have Ron Clark to thank. His career so far has distinguished itself as
a model for staying true to the purposes and mission of the National Park
Service."

In May, the Interior Department announced plans to acquire the mineral
rights under Big Cypress National Preserve, Florida Panther National
Wildlife Refuge (NWR), and Ten Thousand Islands NWR - all located within the
historic expanse of the Florida Everglades - from Collier Resources Company.

The historic arrangement will prevent any new oil and gas production in the
preserve, and provide permanent protection from the risks associated with
those activities. President George W. Bush and Florida Governor Jeb Bush
hailed the announcement as a major victory, and the NPCA calls it "one of
the Park Service's crowning achievements."

In 2002, Big Cypress National Preserve was named to NPCA's list of America's
Ten Most Endangered National Parks for the fourth consecutive year, in part
because of the threats posed by private oil drilling plans.

"For 12 years, Ron Clark's commitment to the ecological sustainability of
the natural resources of the preserve has involved managing and protecting
resources that face a combination of potential threats unparalleled at other
park units," said Munson. "Ron has helped design off road vehicle plans and
has managed activities such as hunting, and airboat and swamp buggy use with
dedication and integrity, earning praise from his colleagues and the
public."

NPCA's National Park Achievement Award recognizes outstanding efforts by
citizen activists, politicians, corporations, or entire communities whose
accomplishments on behalf of the National Park System are worthy of public
recognition.

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http://ens-news.com/ens/jul2002/2002-07-30-09.asp#anchor8

National Parks Conservation Association
http://www.npca.org/

   Clark Receives Park Conservation Award
   Press Release
   July 30, 2002
   [Essentially the same as shown above]
   http://www.npca.org/media_center/PressReleaseDetail.asp?id=101

Big Cypress National Preserve
http://www.nps.gov/bicy/

   Big Cypress National Preserve Employee Receives National Award
   Press Release
   July 29, 2002
   [Essentially the same as shown above]
   http://www.nps.gov/bicy/ronward2.pdf

Ron Clark
Ron_Clark@nps.gov