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. |