Eagle opponents hiring a lawyer

Opponents of the Eagle National Security Center have retained a Miami attorney to fight the proposal, which they say could foul the waters of nearby Fisheating Creek and interrupt the traffic of bears, panthers and other wildlife.

Ellen Peterson, president of SaveOurCreeks.org, wrote in an e-mail that she has enough money to hire Andrew Dickman, who has represented other pro-environment groups.

"I think we can raise the first thousands of dollars for the retainer," said Peterson, "but after that we'll be running on the proverbial wing and a prayer."

The Fisheating Creek watershed, is fed by two sloughs Gannet and John Henry, "whichwill be, in our opinion, devastated by this latest assault if it is allowed to move forward," Peterson said.

Highlands County Audubon has also mailed letters to all five county commissioners and the planning and zoning departments.

"Fisheating Creek contains a staging area for swallow-tailed kites that is the largest in the United States," wrote Dale L. Gillis, president of the bird watchers. "Up to 2,200 kites have been seen at once, and perhaps 3,000 individuals use the roost annually, which represents about 60 percent of the North American population."

Swallow-tailed kites are disturbed by noise and have moved their nesting grounds in response to airboats, Gillis said.

Greg Eagle, a Cape Coral real estate developer who will own the center along with partners, said hunting will not be allowed and that his center won't hurt the environment.

"Not at all," Eagle said. "We want to be as green as we can be. That's the reason why we have 7,700 acres, to provide a buffer. Half of it will never be touched."

What effect will come from a 6,000 foot airstrip that comes with the Eagle Training Center, Gillis asked. "We know that it will not be confined to small planes."

"I must question the location of the Eagle National Security Training Center," Gillis wrote to the commissioners. "Bears and panthers can easily pass through an unfenced orange grove without being noticed, especially at night. The proposed training Center would be fenced, secured and totally impassable to all wildlife."

Additionally, he asked, if a trainee is wounded on the shooting range, where would he be taken, and how long would it take to get there by ambulance? The nearest hospital is Florida Hospital in Lake Placid, 25 miles away.