E. Staff Reports
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UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NATIONAL OCEAN SERVICE
Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary
33 East Quay Road
Key West, FL 33040
July 13,2007
Mr. Thomas J. Willi
Monroe County Administrator
noo Simonton Street
Key West, FL 33040
Dear Mr. Willi:
On behalf of the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary (FKNMS), I am writing to express our
concern with the recent plan to dissolve the Monroe County Marine Resources Department. The
2900 nm2 Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary was established through a Congressional Act
in 1990 and the associated Management Plan and Regulations adopted by the State of Florida in
1997. Monroe County interests, represented by the County Commission and supported by the
Marine Resources Department, play an important role in the decision making and
implementation of management strategies to protect the marine resources of the Florida Keys
while providing for their maximum enjoyment and sustainable use by residents and visitors alike.
You should be aware that Monroe County has close to 1,800 miles of shore line where residents
and visitors live, work, and play. The only county completely surrounded by water. There are
more than 22,000 boats registered in Monroe County and the Keys are a favorite destination for
thousands of additional visiting boaters each year. Unfortunately, this concentrated use results in
between 400-600 vessel groundings that damage the area's sensitive resources and are costly for
the boater. The Marine Resources Department has provided continuous involvement, oversight,
and support to cooperative initiatives with State and Federal partoers to provide vital services to
boating interests that help protect the marine environment while promoting its sustainable use.
The County is a leader on many critical activities such as channell reef marking, derelict vessel
location and removal, marine debris removal, mooring field development and maintenance, and
vessel pump out services. Further, Marine Resource staff has extensive experience and
involvement in water quality issues and the multi-agency steering committee convened to
comprehensively address them. The dissolution of the Marine Resources Department will
clearly impact these ongoing services and the County's ability to help shape the direction of
marine resource management strategies at the State and Federal level.
As a practical matter, the FKNMS relies upon the expert capabilities of the Marine Resources
Department in the planning and contracting for removal of abandoned vessels within the
Sanctuary. Currently, we are in the final stages of an agreement between NOAA and Monroe
County to effect the removal of the Casino Boat Lady Luck grounded since Hurricane Wilma in
the Lower Keys. We have serious concerns regarding the ahility of the County to meet their
responsibilities under this agreement should the Marine Resources Department and associated
staff experience be eliminated. As such, we would be faced with seeking other alternatives
which will unavoidably further delay the removal and increase the risk of additional
resource damage during the 2007 hurricane season.
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We are sensitive to the fact that this decision is being weighed in the face of budget constraints;
however, there are clear socio-economic data that points to our marine resources as the primary
driver of the area's economy and associated tax base. I trust this information is useful to you in
your decision making and urge you to seek means to maintain the services and expertise of the
Marine Resources Department. I would look forward to providing additional information about
our ongoing partnership with the County to sustain the marine environment of the Florida Keys
should you find it useful. Please do not hesitate to contact me at (305) 809-4700.
Sincerely,
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CDR David A. Score, NOAA
Sanctuary Superintendent
CC: Mayor Mario Di Gennaro, Monroe County
Commissioner Dixie Spehar, Monroe County
Commissioner George Neugent, Monroe County
Commissioner Sylvia Murphy, Monroe County
Commissioner Charles McCoy, Monroe County
Dr. Billy D. Causey, NMS Regional Director, NOAA