This is a story of a government project that was carried out a few years ago (about eight I think), in the Lower Florida Keys, and as such is subject to scathing remarks from people who think the role of government should be that of an organization stuck in the late 18th century. I am pretty sure the Founding Fathers had no clue the great State of Florida (which then belonged to Spain, through no fault of Florida's) would elect to build a bridge in Big Pine Key (then unnamed AND unknown) so this whole public work is probably unconstitutional. But here it is anyway in all it's Big Government glory:
There was a problem once upon a time on the stretch of Highway One on north Big Pine Key and it involved a herd of Key Deer getting run down with irritating regularity by passing motorists. Naturally any normal person would have shrugged their shoulders and said,"tough luck" and got on with the business of ignoring their neighbors, but Big Government intervened and decided to make things better. So those horrid bureaucrats imposed a speed limit and decided some cement would make things better. These flashing signs are meant to warn strangers that Key Deer might leap out at a moment's notice. They are all over Big Pine Key. Locals use them as bike racks:
Big Gummint also instituted a dual speed limit in the hope cagers could put down their brown paper bags long enough to figure this subtlety out. Tourists have a hell of a time with it. If you can see the number "45" that is the limit imposed by an over arching government bureaucrat. If it is too dark to see the "45" then the "35" will be reflected in your headlight and thus that is your limit as imposed by those socialistic Stalinists. The penalty for violating these draconian limitations on free expression is not getting sent to the Gulag (the road prison just around the corner), instead the penalty would be the imposition a tax lightly disguised as a fine. Be aware that in special speed zones like this one, or construction or school zones for example Florida's generous "speed limit plus five" law doesn't count and you could get an actual fine for exceeding the speed limit by 5mph or less.
All this to protect those non-voting Key Deer. They must have powerful lobbyists in Tallahassee.
The ridge over this portion of the Key Deer refuge looks like a solid piece of engineering to a non-engineer. It includes fences tall enough to keep the deer out, as well as a form of cattle guard at each point where the roadway exits the area surrounded by fencing.
Critics call Key Deer small white tailed deer and I have featured pictures of them on my blog and will again I am sure. Scientists tell us these animals migrated to the islands (like all deer they are able swimmers) and ended up living in these rather harsh habitats. If you support evolutionary theory it will be easy for you to understand that the deer adapted to their reduced circumstances by reducing their bulk; either that or Noah dropped a couple of them off on his way to beach the Ark on Mount Ararat. In either case we are stuck with them, and people who like nice flower gardens like they had Up North have to suffer not only the iguanas (escaped pets, possibly also from the Ark) but also the Key Deer. The habitat of these cute little herbivores was split in two by US Highway One and the deer versus vehicle count was rising. So the Gummint decided to build an eight million dollar over/underpass to solve the problem.
Nowadays vehicles can drive the northern tip of Big Pine Key in perfect confidence that they won't ram a Key Deer. Indeed while I was wandering around sweating in the bogs alongside the highway an emergency vehicle made its speeding presence heard as it went by:
If one could look out over the parapet to the west of Highway One, a passenger might glimpse a view of water and mangrove islands stretching towards Coupon Bight and Newfound Harbor. Talking a walk alongside the highway produces a much better view of the glories of the Florida Keys:
I parked the motorcycle at the entrance to St Peter's catholic Church at the southern end of the ramp:
And from here I got back on the bike and rode a slow couple of miles to the opposite end of the Key Deer elevated roadway. Somewhere near Mile Marker 32 there is a side street, Beach Drive which is only a block long but connects the Highway to another hidden Big Pine Key subdivision- really just a few homes in the mangroves. Notice this exit too has a cattle guard:
In all the years since this raised highway was built I have never seen a deer on the roadway so from my empirical evidence I suggest this government project works flawlessly: human and deer lives are being saved daily.
I love the blue signs advertising Highway One as a hurricane evacuation route. Like there is any other roadway available that might lead an evacuee astray. And here we see more of those confusing 45/35 speed limit signs. I have on occasion seen Highway Patrol cars parked on the shoulder here so I advise caution to inveterate speeders. I pull over onto the shoulder myself to let tailgaters rush ahead and get the ticket.
There is a little hump in the roadway at the northern end which obscures the view as you drive south eager to reach Key West, just 28 miles away. And as you cruise over the hump at 60 miles per hour there is a the radar gun. Oops. The oddity I photographed below is an osprey nest built atop a pole planted for the purpose.
This is my Bonneville which I recently named Samantha in honor of the witch of
Bewitched fame.
That's a lie I made up on the spur of the moment (us socialists do that a lot, lying). I don't give inanimate objects names even though the Bonneville has bewitched me. The northern end of the ramp splits into two separate lanes with turning lanes to allow cars to turn off to Long Beach Drive which meanders down another subdivision on a far flung piece of Big Pine Key. Thats why the island is called "Big."
And then the end of Big Pine finally appears at Spanish Harbor Channel which also marks the northern tip of this Key Deer refuge. People who say they know estimate the population at under a thousand though the deer are staging a comeback. Which also annoys people as the business of protecting endangered species also puts a mild crimp in development plans and we all know that Gummint likes to hamper the creation of malls and box stores and unrestricted fields of neon.
For my part I am a little tired of the 45/35 mile per hour restriction. I don't understand why, at the risk of giving ammunition to the anti-government nutters, why these limits are maintained when this stretch of unobstructed rural highway could easily have a limit of 50 or even-gasp!- 55 whole miles per hour. Instead, despite the perfect operation of the fencing we continue to snore our way through here at 35 miles per hour (60kph) during those dread hours of darkness. When I'm driving home from Miami at midnight all I want to do is get to my bed five miles away, and 35mph is an invitation to a ticket. Bless those Key Deer, and thanks to Noah for dropping them off for us.
This is a story of a government project that was carried out a few years ago (about eight I think), in the Lower Florida Keys, and as such is subject to scathing remarks from people who think the role of government should be that of an organization stuck in the late 18th century. I am pretty sure the Founding Fathers had no clue the great State of Florida (which then belonged to Spain, through no fault of Florida's) would elect to build a bridge in Big Pine Key (then unnamed AND unknown) so this whole public work is probably unconstitutional. But here it is anyway in all it's Big Government glory:
That's a lie I made up on the spur of the moment (us socialists do that a lot, lying). I don't give inanimate objects names even though the Bonneville has bewitched me. The northern end of the ramp splits into two separate lanes with turning lanes to allow cars to turn off to Long Beach Drive which meanders down another subdivision on a far flung piece of Big Pine Key. Thats why the island is called "Big."
16 comments:
There is similar signage near the RSW (Fort Myer airport) for the endangered Florida Panther (far less than the Key Deer). So, if this animal is so endangered, how much political "grease" was spent to get a 55/45 road push through their habitat?
Meaning far less - like they number in the hundreds - in numbers, not endangerment.
It's hard to tell when the sarcasm starts and ends in there.
I figure if nothing was done to protect the key deer, then I'd be bringing my kids through the area in a few years saying "There used to be deer on these islands. They were a unique type of deer-- smaller than others you've seen. The only place they could be found was here, but they're all dead now. Extinct in fact. Mostly they got run over by cars. Some were run over by tourists who had to get to Duval street ASAP for a drink. Others were run over by "locals", and by "locals" I mean people who lived in the keys for at least a few years, or months, or something... Anyway, there was this idea that if people slowed down they'd be less likely to kill the deer. Unfortunately, it meant that tourists would arrive a minute later on Duval street (during the day), and that locals would spend 2.5 minutes less in their beds at night (compared to going 55mph). So, we just figured it would be better to run over the deer-- we can't have that kind of time wasting going on in the keys."
"Now, I know you kids will still have an enriched life despite being deprived of seeing a few small deer, but that isn't really the point. The point is that in life you get to make choices that reflect what you believe is important. For some, life is carried out in such a rush that the extinction of a species is simply a necessary byproduct of maximum efficiency. For others, there's nothing more beautiful than endless rows of houses with artificially maintained lawns and gardens. For me though, I try to make different choices. I try to remember that a few minutes of introspection here or there may provide me with the clarity to realize why I choose live in the keys."
"You know kids, one good thing did come out of exterminating those deer. Once the deer were gone, there was finally enough open land to build a really great mall. That's right Timmy, it's just like Miami! C'mon, lets see if JC Penny has a sale on!"
No sarcasm on my part was intended. There are like 200 florida panthers left. How in heck did they get approval to build a road smack dab into the middle of their habitat? All the stats indicate the airport is vastly underused, especially once the economy tanked.
@singing: The sarcasm I was referring to was in the original post about the key deer, e.g. "Bless those key deer."
I don't know how things were approved for RSW. From what I can tell, during the development boom of the past decade there haven't been many projects that weren't approved in that area.
My best guess in providing an answer to your question about the road is this: RSW was planned out in the 1970s, and built in the early 1980s-- perhaps a time of distinctly different environmental awareness and concern.
Mr Conchscooter:
Up here in British Columbia you are able to attach deer whistles to your bike. Slowing down is not legally mandated
bob
bobskoot: wet coast scootin
I meant the new airport started and finished the 2000's.
I never understood how Key Deer could get inside the fence next to the roadway. Heard rumors that deer got in but never confirmed until last month - I saw deer inside the fence TWICE -- here is a pic:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/teamocean/3879157610/
Dear Mr. Conchscooter:
For the first part of this commentary, imagine me sitting at your feet, looking up at you with admiration, and hoping you can answer the burning question that I have to ask you today.
Why do people with the strongest opinions on anything, offer them from the unique position of anonymity? I believe that if you are going to say something you feel is significant, and want it to be counted, you should put your name on it.
That was the first part of my commentary today.
For the second part, imagine me as I am, omnipotent and bebeficent.
I believe that any laws and regulations regarding the preservation of deer be relegated to the professionals who staff state fish and game authorities. In entirely too many cases, bleeding hearts with absolutely no understanding nor education in the habits and habitat of deer make stupid regulations that are more likely grounded in emotion than fact.
For example, the average bleeding heart is unaware that deer are edge feeders, preferring a stable food source next to a line of cover. That means that millions of miles of state maintained roads, with grassy embankments bordered by dense tree cover not only attract deer, which are stupid beyond belief, but boost their breeding into the millions.
Simply stated, the creation of business campuses, golf courses, parks, and lawns with beautiful flowers have freated the ideal environment that has caused more deer to be alive now, than when Columbus discovered America.
At the same time, man (in the forest) has eliminated most of the deer's natural preditors, causing deer populations to greatly exceed the browse capacity of existing habitat. This results larger herds of smaller and more sickly white tailed deer.
Now in the case of midget Key Deer, it would be interesting to see if an impact study has been completed to determine the habitat carrying capacity. It would alse be interesting to see what were the results of the last deer census. If there was judged to be a surplus, as I suspect there will be, a one-year study should be implemented to see the impact of of raising the speed limit to 45mph on deer mortality and insurance claims. I'm willing to bet there is little or no difference at all.
I would like to see the study that says hitting a deer at 35 is easier on the animal thn whacking one going ten miles per hour faster.
White-tailed deer (basically rats on stilts) and non-migratory Canadian geese are two species that have not only adapted to the invasive nrure of man, but have made it work for themselves.
In New Jersey, interstate 78 is spanned in a number of places by deer bridges that have been deemed as very effective in reducing the number of motor vehicle accidents involving deer. I got this from a pal of mine who works for NJ DOT. It should be noted that the speed limit of I-78 in these parts is 65mph, and about 20 miles per hour faster in reality. On a good weekend , there will still be 10 or 15 carcasses of deer who didn't figure out where to cross. I-78 runs for about 65 miles in NJ.
My buddy in NJ-DOT says the best way to control deer is to simply hunt them. State fish and game sources maintain that local deer populations can be culled to within 15% of the original number, and be fully restored within 18 months.
It never hurts to back laws with a little science, but the principle is seldom applied. Robert Redford successfully lobbied to get the mountain lion management taken away from fish and game in California. Joggers are eaten fairly regularly now.
Fondest regards,
Jack • reep • Toad
Twisted Roads
I like Key Deer. My wife and I have thought of importing them to Ramrod Key to stop development here. I just think that if we are going to make a deer proof road how about we raise the speed limit? No big deal. Didn't anyone like my sarcastic comments about Big Gummint? Fine, I 'll drop them.
Isn't Big Gummint a key north east of Sugarloaf? Named after the airforce base placed on it? Wait, I am thinking of Cudjoe key.
@ Jack:
"I would like to see the study that says hitting a deer at 35 is easier on the animal thn whacking one going ten miles per hour faster."
You need a study for this? Do you ask for the same thing when you come to a school crossing for children, or when approaching a construction zone?
I doubt you'll find a randomized trial involving cars, deers, children, or construction workers, but... since you like to back laws with a little science: The momentum of the car is directly proportional to its velocity, and the energy of the car is directly proportional to the square of the velocity... and there are plenty of studies showing that you need substantially less distance to stop a car from 35mph than from 55mph, making a motorist more likely to avoid a collision. Does your buddy at the NJDOT (an excellent source, by the way) have any idea why there are reduced speed limits in construction zones?
You do seem quite impressed by your knowledge of deer and science...
The Key Deer ARE currently managed by the fish and wildlife service.
The Key Deer ARE listed by the federal government as endangered, and have been protected for 70 years. Recent population estimates range from 300-800 deer spread over 25 islands. This is up substantially from a low of 20-50 deer in the late 1950s.
Key deer were documented to be present as early as the 1500s, and are thought to have previously been much more prevalent (like slightly after Columbus' landing).
The deer previously inhabited the full range of keys, but have been exterminated from all but a very small area. For perspective, the drive from Key Largo to Key West is about 100 miles, the deer are protected for a span of 4 miles. 96% of the trip is unencumbered by pesky restrictions, yet the 4% that is protected-- which during the daytime merits a 10mph reduction in speed, and adds 1 minute to the travel time-- apparently far too much to ask...
When you ask for habitat carrying capacity, realize that in the keys most of the habitat has already been irrevocably taken away, thus some of those animals living within the "refuge" are truly "refugees". Applying the concept of carrying capacity to endangered animals in developed areas is generally nonsensical. I'm not aware of any efforts elsewhere to "cull" an endangered animal due to surplus population, even if you could theoretically calculate a surplus based on the size of the refuge, and the number of deer (keeping in mind that the deer don't always stay on the refuge).
Without doubt, the animal in the area that is most beyond it's habitat carrying capacity is the human being. Since we know humans aren't going to be removed from the area, the compromise is to try to set a small area aside for wildlife-- roaches, rats, deers, birds, bees, trees, moss, whatever...
To some degree the key deer has been a success story, with populations increasing substantially from a near extinction point 40 years ago. Why is it necessary to try to reverse this success?
One of the problems with knowing a "little" science, is that you may not know enough science reach a valid conclusion.
Time Out.
This is my blog, my diary, my record of my life in the Keys. Attacking Jack Riepe is not okay. You have only just found this blog and like others before you, you think you know what all my 850 illustrated posts are about. Humor, irony, and sarcasm are all part of the package, but angry essays attacking people who comment on my blog get deleted after one warning. This is your warning. If you have so much to say say it on your own blog. ie: Fuck Off.
Equating children with key deer is hilariously idiotic. Kids ARE more valuable, really, but I'm biased. I'm human.
Riepe doesn't need to be defended. He's omnipotent and can vanquish all anonymous posters by calling for his mistress Bellatrix Lestrange.
Let the facts speak.
Monroe County spends $6,058 per year on each student. Federal, state and local expenditures on key deer (including opportunity cost) has been calculated in a 2006 study (by the NDSL) to be approximately $11,957 annually. Society values key deer more than children in Monroe county.
I beleive the kids get 12,000 a year more or less, which is much more per student than the rest of Florida, explained in part by the need to do everything in triplicate in a county a mile wide and 110 long.
I've kind of lost track where all this is going.
Oh did I mention I don't really care either? If the bridge keeps deer out (except when anglers cut the fence) can we have a speed limit increase? Please? Without the inevitable corollary of mauls and chain stores and all the rest?
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