Problem Analysis of Oil Drilling in Big Cypress (1)
docx
keyboard_arrow_up
School
Georgia Institute Of Technology *
*We aren’t endorsed by this school
Course
1310
Subject
Geography
Date
Dec 6, 2023
Type
docx
Pages
6
Uploaded by DukeSpiderMaster1030
Problem Analysis of Oil Drilling in Big Cypress
The Big Cypress National Preserve is a freshwater ecosystem in South Florida and during
recent years, it has been a hotbed for environmental concerns. Oil drilling is prevalent in this
preserve as it has already caused immense harm to this unique ecosystem (Staletovich, 2022).
Through this we seek to answer the question of if the issue of oil drilling is the main proprietor
of environmental damage in Big Cypress, and if so, what can be done about it. This question
aims to investigate the extent to which drilling activities have contributed to the environmental
damage present in Big Cypress. Oil drilling was discovered to be a serious threat to the well-
being of this preserve, but not the only threat. Additionally, factors such as climate change,
invasive species, and even changes in water flow have also played similar roles (Bayles, 2022).
However, fixing or addressing the issue of oil drilling is pertinent to the survival of Big
Cypress’s flourishing ecosystem.
This proposal will examine the primary issue of oil drilling and what can be done to stop
it. The issue is that this problem isn’t so simple but a multifaceted issue in which numerous sides
and perspectives must be examined. From an environmental perspective, we can see that the
protection of Big Cypress is critical for numerous reasons such as maintaining biodiversity,
protecting endangered species, and ensuring the health of broader ecosystems in Florida
(Chesnes, 2023). From a cultural perspective, Big Cypress holds significant value for local
Indigenous communities as they have spiritual and cultural ties to the land. Economically, the
debate around oil drilling in Big Cypress reflects current real-life tensions between short-term
economic gains from oil extraction and long-term sustainability or ecological health. The
perspectives examined in this research will include those of environmental scientists, local
Indigenous communities, oil companies, and policymakers.
The Miccosukee Tribe of Indians, who call Big Cypress National Preserve home, view it
as much more than just land. It is additionally a sacred site where they do stuff ranging from
harvesting plants for medicine to housing their community members following their deaths. This
potential oil drilling that Burnett Oil Company wishes to continue would pose a significant threat
to these traditional practices or way of life. This demonstrates that the tribe isn’t just worried
because of the ecological damage that is clear as day, but also the potential cultural and spiritual
disruption (Martinez, 2022). Environmental advocates share these concerns and have been
actively opposing the proposed oil drilling. Currently, the Western Everglades Restoration
Project is running which aims to restore water flow and connect the two parks. Martinez (2022)
discusses that, “They say the drilling will destroy the wetlands by paving over acres of wildlife
and diverting water into ruts in the process instead of letting it circulate.” For decades numerous
levies and dividing roads obstructed water's natural movement. Oil drilling companies such as
Burnett Oil Company or Trend Exploration of North Fort Myers view the proposed drilling as a
necessary activity for energy exploration. They have contested the denial of permits for oil
exploration by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, asserting their rights to
explore oil reserves.
The opposition to the oil drilling of Big Cypress National Preserve is not just backed by
potential environmental concerns, but also about the historical and cultural significance of the
preserve. This preserve is home to numerous endangered species and is a crucial ingredient in
maintaining the health of Florida's Everglades. The drilling activities could pose a substantial and
clear threat to these sensitive ecosystems and habitats for endangered and threatened species.
The rhetorical situation of these sources involves a complex interaction between
stakeholders and the events that caused their interactions. The urgency of the situation is the
imminent threat of oil drilling in the Big Cypress National Preserve. These stakeholders are
engaged in a conversation not just about the future of the preserve, but also about the balance
between energy exploration and environmental conservation.
The Miccosukee Tribe, environmental advocates, and oil drilling companies each have a
different perspective on the issue. The Miccosukee Tribe is primarily concerned with the
potential environmental impact as well as the cultural and spiritual disruption caused by oil
drilling. However, environmental advocates focus especially on environmental concerns
worrying less about indigenous peoples' traditions. These two groups argue that the drilling
would greatly disrupt the ecosystem and destroy the developing wetlands. These wetlands were
once destroyed and broken down by these same oil companies and these advocates wish to
prevent this from occurring again. On the other hand, oil drilling companies argue that the
proposed drilling is necessary for energy exploration and that they have the right to explore oil
reserves. Nielson (2016) explains that the “Florida Department of Environmental Protection
issued Fort Worth-based Burnett Oil Co. a permit to explore for oil across 70,400 acres—10
percent of the preserve's area—between Raccoon Point and Bear Island.” Once again allowing
this oil drilling to continue despite constant push by these other stakeholders.
The conflict between these stakeholders is evident as there are clashing beliefs and actions due to
these differing perspectives. While the Miccosukee Tribe and environmental advocates oppose
the proposed oil drilling, oil drilling companies have contested the denial of permits for oil
exploration. This conflict has created this rhetorical situation in which all of the stakeholders are
Your preview ends here
Eager to read complete document? Join bartleby learn and gain access to the full version
- Access to all documents
- Unlimited textbook solutions
- 24/7 expert homework help
engaged in a conversation about the future of the Big Cypress National Preserve and the balance
between energy exploration and environmental conservation.
In the context of the Big Cypress National Preserve, Burnett Oil Co. and Trend
Exploration of North Fort Myers make use of logos to justify their activities as necessary for
energy exploration. Bayles (2022) explains that they argue that their actions are legitimate and
that they have the right to explore oil reserves, asserting that the proposed drilling is a necessary
activity for energy exploration. These oil companies believe the logical idea is to use this land for
oil drilling despite the numerous other perspectives believing it to not be worth it. In their
opinion, the benefits of energy and oil outweigh the cost to the environment. Additionally, the
Miccosukee tribe primarily appeals to emotion. When they're mentioned throughout these
articles it then would often go on to explain how it is necessary for their existence. Big Cypress
is deeply rooted in the history of this tribe, and they use this as reasoning for why the drilling
must stop. Further, they use buzzwords such as climate change to strike fear and further push
those towards ending this oil drilling. Ethos is additionally prevalent across all five sources as all
writing on it has backing and history on this topic. The leaders of this debate and the
stakeholders are beginning to clash more with tensions continuing to rise. From environmental
advocates to oil spokespeople to tribesmen; the people speaking on this are numerous. Each of
these people has some unique view or backing that makes them necessary to include.
The issue of oil drilling in Big Cypress National Preserve is a complex discussion
between numerous environmental, cultural, and economic factors. Oil drilling in Big Cypress
does pose a significant threat to this ecosystem, however, it is not the only threat. From invasive
species to climate change all the way to alterations in water flow from development these all also
play a role. In our research, we do believe ending oil drilling is extremely necessary. The
proposed oil drilling has the potential to further disrupt not just the physical ecosystem, but also
the cultural and spiritual practices tied to the land of the Miccosukee Tribe. This means it is no
longer just an environmental problem but also one of great cultural importance as well. These oil
companies view their drilling as necessary to further energy exploration. Granted this is just what
they claim, and money does additionally play a large role in it as well. This situation reflects a
clear conflict between the further need for energy exploration and the absolute necessity of
environmental protection and cultural respect.
Citations
Bayles, T. (2023, January 26).
Drilling firm challenging denial of oil exploration efforts in Big
Cypress Swamp
. WGCU PBS & NPR for Southwest Florida.
https://news.wgcu.org/news/2022-03-14/drilling-firm-challenging-denial-for-oil-wells-in-
big-cypress-swamp
Chesnes, T. (2023, Feburary 10
) Protect Florida’s Big Cypress National Preserve from future oil
exploration, advocates urge feds
. Tampa Bay Times. (n.d.).
https://www.tampabay.com/news/environment/2023/02/08/big-cypress-national-preserve-
florida-national-park-oil-drilling-epa/
Kirk Nielsen is a Miami-based journalist who has written about the human effects on the
Everglades region. Ian Shive is an award-winning outdoor photographer. His latest book,
T. N. P. A. A. L. (Earth A. E. (2016, June 9).
Florida’s Big Oil National Preserve
. Sierra
Club.
https://www.sierraclub.org/sierra/2016-4-july-august/americas-national-
parks/floridas-big-oil-national-preserve
Martinez, A. (2022, January 13).
Indigenous advocates in Florida say oil drilling in Big Cypress
will destroy sacred sites
. Prism.
https://prismreports.org/2022/01/13/indigenous-
advocates-in-florida-say-oil-drilling-in-big-cypress-will-destroy-sacred-sites/
Staleovich, J. (2022, November 7) WLRN 91.3 FM |
There’s a new plan to end decades of
drilling in big cypress
. WLRN.
https://www.wlrn.org/environment/2022-11-07/theres-a-
new-plan-to-end-decades-of-drilling-in-big-cypress
Your preview ends here
Eager to read complete document? Join bartleby learn and gain access to the full version
- Access to all documents
- Unlimited textbook solutions
- 24/7 expert homework help