WASHINGTON, D.C. – Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell will visit South Florida this week for a series of events focused on restoring the health of the Everglades. While there, Jewell will also meet with the Seminole Tribe of Florida to announce a milestone in increasing self-determination and economic development for Native American tribes.
On Thursday morning, Jewell and Bureau of Indian Affairs Director Mike Black will join Chairman James E. Billie of the Seminole Tribe of Florida to formally approve tribal leasing regulations under the Helping Expedite and Advance Responsible Tribal Homeownership Act (HEARTH Act). The law restores the authority of federally recognized American Indian tribes to control the leasing of their trust lands, thereby promoting self-determination and economic development.
On Friday morning, Jewell will take a boat tour of the Everglades National Park to review progress that has been made in restoring historic water flows as well as new challenges such as invasive species that threaten the ecosystem.
On Friday afternoon, Jewell and Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works Jo-Ellen Darcy will hold a brief media availability to discuss Everglades restoration efforts. In the evening, Jewell will deliver remarks at the 30th Annual Conference of the Everglades Coalition in Key Largo.
All events are open to credentialed news media. Space is extremely limited on the boat tour and an RSVP is required.
EVENT #1 – Hollywood, FL: HEARTH Act Signing Ceremony with the Seminole Tribe
WHO
Sally Jewell, U.S. Secretary of the Interior
Mike Black, Director of the Bureau of Indian Affairs
James E. Billie, Chairman, Seminole Tribe of Florida
Tribal Council Members and Representatives
WHAT
HEARTH Act Signing Ceremony
WHEN
Thursday, January 8, 2015
9:45 a.m. EST – Media check-in
10:00 a.m. EST – Ceremony, followed by brief media availability
WHERE
Seminole Tribe of Florida Headquarters
Chairman's Conference Room
6300 Stirling Road
Hollywood, FL 33024
RSVP
Credentialed members of the media who wish to attend are encouraged to RSVP HERE no later than 6:00 p.m. EST on Wednesday, January 7.
EVENT #2 – Key Largo, FL: Boat Tour of Everglades National Park
WHO
Sally Jewell, U.S. Secretary of the Interior
Stan Austin, Southeast Regional Director, National Park Service
Justin Unger, Acting Superintendent, Everglades National Park
Bob Johnson, Director, South Florida Natural Resources Center, National Park Service
Nick Aumen, Regional Science Advisor for South Florida, USGS
WHAT
Boat Tour of Everglades National Park
WHEN
Friday, January 9, 2015
9:45 a.m. EST – Media check-in
10:00 a.m. EST – Boat tour begins
1:30 p.m. EST – Boat tour concludes
WHERE
Key Largo Everglades Ranger Station
98630 Overseas Highway
Key Largo, FL 33037
RSVP
Space for the boat tour is extremely limited. Credentialed members of the media who wish to attend are required to RSVP HERE no later than 6:00 p.m. EST on Thursday, January 8.
EVENT #3 – Key Largo, FL: Media Availability on Everglades Restoration
WHO
Sally Jewell, U.S. Secretary of the Interior
Jo-Ellen Darcy, Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works
WHAT
Media Availability on Everglades Restoration
WHEN
Friday, January 9, 2015
4:00 p.m. EST – Media availability
WHERE
Hilton Key Largo Resort
Reef Room 2
97000 Overseas Highway
Key Largo, FL 33037
RSVP
Credentialed members of the media who wish to attend are encouraged to RSVP HERE no later than 10:00 a.m. EST on Friday, January 9.
EVENT #4 – Key Largo, FL: Remarks at Everglades Coalition 30th Annual Conference
WHO
Sally Jewell, U.S. Secretary of the Interior
WHAT
Remarks at Everglades Coalition 30th Annual Conference
WHEN
Friday, January 9, 2015
6:45 p.m. EST – Media check-in
7:00 p.m. EST – Remarks
WHERE
Hilton Key Largo Resort
Bayview Ballroom
97000 Overseas Highway
Key Largo, FL 33037
RSVP
Credentialed members of the media who wish to attend the conference can contact Alison Zemanski Heis at (202) 384-8762 or aheis@npca.org for complimentary media registration.
Source: Department of Interior
