Florida U.S. Senators Rick Scott and Ashley Moody unveiled the reintroduction of the Miccosukee Reserved Area Amendments Act on Monday, a bill to designate Osceola Camp in Everglades National Park as part of the Miccosukee Reservation.
Backed by Rep. Carlos Gimenez in the House, the legislation aims to boost water flow into the park while shielding the camp—a cultural hub for the Miccosukee Tribe—from flooding risks, earning full support from tribal leaders.
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“This bill ensures the protection of a site that’s been home and a cultural cornerstone for generations of Miccosukee Tribal members,” Scott said in a statement. A former Florida governor with deep ties to the tribe, Scott added, “I’ll continue to support their interests as U.S. Senator.” Moody, a fifth-generation Floridian, framed it as a win for conservation and community: “Protecting the state’s natural beauty is a top priority … This legislation ensures Everglades restoration benefits while safeguarding Miccosukee members who call it home.”
Gimenez, representing the tribe in Congress, praised their stewardship.
“I’ve seen firsthand the Tribe’s dedication to the Everglades … I’m eager to protect our River of Grass and integrate Osceola Camp into the Miccosukee Reserved Area,” he said.
The bill amends the 1998 Miccosukee Reserved Area Act, adding Osceola Camp—mapped in July 2023—to the reservation and mandating flood protections within two years in consultation with the tribe.
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The move marries environmental and cultural goals: optimizing water flow aids Everglades health while elevating the camp’s status guards against flood damage—a pressing threat in South Florida. Scott and Moody’s GOP heft paired with Gimenez’s local clout—could fast-track it through a Republican-led Congress.
With a two-year clock ticking post-enactment for flood fixes, the bill’s fate hinges on swift action. For now, it’s a lifeline for a tribe rooted in the Glades—and a rare unity play in a polarized Capitol.
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