Five thousand acres of wetland habitat, part of the Greater Everglades, was harmed when government agencies yielded to boaters and dredged a fifteen foot ditch through this sensitive marsh. Federal agencies issued cease and desist orders to stop the dredging but the area was abandoned by protected Swallow-tailed Kites.

Audubon Florida has called for restoration of Cowbone Marsh, which was prevented this year by a lawsuit brought by boaters who think that right of passage is more important than protecting the wetlands.