Original email from Donald E. Richards, President  | United Peninsula Association  | ​November 15, 2011

​Subject: FW: Gulf Islands National Shore - Management Plan

Good morning to each of you,

This is a very important issue for our boating community to address and NOT have a laissez faire attitude about.

The new Gulf Islands National Seashore Management Team has developed their plan and it is very open ended and as written, will allow them to decide if, when, how and to what extent we will be allowed to boat along the shores of Santa Rosa Island.  Unfortunately, this action came about when Governor Scott closed the Aquatic Preserves Offices.  Since the State no longer wishes to protect the State Lands in our local Aquatic Preserve, there is a clause that the FEDERAL government may assume control of these waters and shoreline.  It is several marine specialists’opinion that we the people cannot stop this direction unless the State re-opens the Aquatic Preserves Offices. There is a December meeting which should be beneficial, since there will have been more time for the public to digest and see if there was any further Federal compromise......  Don't count on it.  Make your position known now.  NEVER doubt the power we have collectively to make a difference.  Write the Governor and our State Representative and State Senator. Our elected representatives need to express the need to put the North West Florida Aquatic Preserves in the hands of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission instead of the Department of Environmental Protection.   It may even be beneficial to write our US Senators and Representative on this one if you enjoy the boating and playing along the northern shores of Santa Rosa Island in the State Park and along the northern shore of Perdido Key.  This is the area that the following comments and thoughts from Larry Sessions, who attended the meeting on Tuesday, are directed.

Please take the time to read and absorb Larry’s thoughts and comments below:

Then let us know what you think.  The following are our local political contacts:

FL Rep. Doug Broxson - doug.broxson@myfloridahouse.gov

FL Rep. Clay Ford – Clay.Ford@myfloridahouse.gov

FL Rep. Matt Gaetz - matt.gaetz@myfloridahouse.gov

FL Senator Don Gaetz – GAETZ.DON.WEB@flsenate.gov

FL Senator Greg Evers -  Evers.Greg.web@flsenate.gov

Kind regards,

Donald E. Richards
President
United Peninsula Association
P. O. Box 6003
Gulf Breeze, FL 32563
404-915-9394 (C)
www.unitedpeninsula.org

******************

This is your opportunity to comment on the Master Plan that will be used for the next 30 years by the  National Park Service. A review of the plan was held at the Naval Live Oak center on the night of Nov. 8th.  No immediate plans are proposed to change the current marine and land access.  However, the draft plan contains some onerous provisions for land and marine access which in my opinion need to be changed.  I urge each and every one of you and your neighbors to comment on the plan by going to http://parkplanning.nps.gov/guis and comment on option 3. My concerns are shared by some County Commissioners and the Commission many vote to recommend the Park Service stay with Option 1 which will continue the current park management plan.

My primary concerns with option 3 are as follows:

1. Once the plan is adopted, land and marine access can be changed by administrative action without public input;

2. Revise the plan to require all changes to land or marine access only after a public hearing is held reviewing the proposed changes;

3. Means and measurement should be established to evaluate all land and marine access changes;

4. A one mile wide parameter into the water around each island (titled - Natural Settings With Dispersed Recreation) is established  which can be used to limit boat access and limit boat speeds.   The Natural Settings With Dispersed Recreation should be limited to existing seagrass beds water ward to a depth of 4 feet;

5. Seagrass bed protection areas are now defined as the entire north shore of all the islands in Mississippi Alabama and Florida with the exception of Okaloosa County. Revise the seagrass protection zones to existing seagrass beads to depth of 4 feet. Exclude all areas where the depth of water is 4 feet a distance of 30 feet from the shore which will allow landing of boats on the beach.   The seagrass protection zones should be revised to be a broken line allowing boat landings at reasonable intervals.

6. Beach recreation areas need to be expanded.   

Thank you,

Larry Sessions
anne.larry@mchsi.com