The recent announcement that a cruise port developer is in the initial planning phase to develop a major port near the Terra Ceia Aquatic Preserve has generated considerable local opposition. And while such a project would face considerable challenges, given our local ordinances and existing state policies, citizens correctly point out that past acquiescence and increasing state preemption are reasons for the community to express skepticism when told, Don't worry, it ain't gonna happen anyway.
The best assurance at this point would be for our local representatives in Tallahassee to cure this legislatively during the current session. The county's comprehensive land use plan already prohibits dredging or filling within the Terra Ceia Aquatic Preserve (with narrow exceptions for stormwater outfalls/restoration and limited access). Adding an amendment to an existing bill in this year's session that provides a geographic restriction for new dredging in the Terra Ceia/lower Tampa Bay area would, as they say, nip this in the bud.
SB 1422/HB 1319 “Surface Waters/Coral Reefs” (dredge & fill permit standards) already contains language addressing dredging and filling permits. A geographic prohibition for “no new navigation-channel dredging/turning basins for cruise vessels within/adjacent to the Terra Ceia Aquatic Preserve” could easily be added via amendment.
SB 302/HB 1035 “Nature-based Coastal Resiliency” (aquatic preserve statute changes) is another possible vehicle for such an amendment, as it is already focused on modifying aquatic preserve law, including dredging-related provisions related to Biscane Bay. And while SB 1422 would probably be the better fit, this one is moving through the process much more swiftly. An amendment providing for “no new dredging for commercial navigation expansion in or near Terra Ceia Aquatic Preserve” or even “Tampa Bay estuarine protection zones,” could be added to these bills as well.
At the same time, our representatives should be fighting tooth and nail against HB 479/SB 718 “Water Management," which would preempt local regulation of water quality/quantity, pollution control, and wetlands. At the very least, an amendment carving out exceptions for maintaining local authority within or near aquatic preserves or designated estuarine protection areas would at least mitigate the negative impacts if this bad legislation were to pass.
The mega-cruise port concept is being driven by new, enormous cruise ships that cannot clear existing infrastructure, like the Sunshine Skyway Bridge. That is a problem for the cruise ship industry to figure out, and not by way of communities suffering the ecological impacts of deep-water dredging in critically sensitive estuarine waters, or by replacing/modifying perfectly good existing infrastructure for their benefit at enormous taxpayer expense. Let the ships that can fit come to Tampa. Route the ones that don’t elsewhere. We’ll survive.
Coastal wetlands, seagrass, and mangroves are critical environmental resources that our state has allowed to be severely abused over many decades, to the perpetual detriment of our communities. We have seen over time that the supposed “overriding public benefit” has never lived up to the real-world long-term costs. The fact that some ridiculously overbuilt cruise ships cannot fit under the Skyway is not a problem that Manatee County should sacrifice one bit of our natural resources to solve. Whatever promised economic benefits it might bring are certain to pale in comparison to the environmental costs, not to mention the impacts on traffic and hurricane evacuation routes.
If you really want to stop this very bad idea before it gets off the ground, petition your state legislators to enact these kinds of specific protections. They are all Republicans, and Republicans control both chambers, so it wouldn’t be hard for them to accomplish. Tell them to fight for our wetlands, aquatic preserves, and estuaries. And if they don’t get it done, vote accordingly come August.
Senator Jim Boyd: boyd.jim.web@flsenate.gov
Rep. Will Robinson: Will.Robinson@flhouse.gov
Rep. Bill Conerly: Bill.Conerly@flhouse.gov
Rep. Michael Owen: michael.owen@flhouse.gov
Dennis "Mitch" Maley is an editor and columnist for The Bradenton Times and the host of our weekly podcast. With over two decades of experience as a journalist, he has covered Manatee County government since 2010. He is a graduate of Shippensburg University and later served as a Captain in the U.S. Army. Click here for his bio. Mitch's 2015 novel, A Long Road Home, was recently released in its third edition. His other books can be found here. He can be reached at editor@thebradentontimes.com.
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Libby23
This is a good example of Tallahassee action that the local community might ask for to support its local ordinances as opposed to the many other legislative actions affecting local communities that preempt home rule in a deleterious way.
Sunday, February 15 Report this
san.gander
I do believe the majority of voters in Manatee County think destroying the environmentally sensitive wetlands and coastal preserves is an evil idea! But the silence from the Manatee County Commission in not speaking out against the proposal, gives me cause for concern. They are our representatives... they should be aware of, and speak out in support of the peoples opposition to this! But what do I hear "crickets"! Someone tell them to grow a pair... ! Are they so afraid of the religious-right/corporate-development/autocracy controlling the Republican Party right now?
Monday, February 16 Report this
Ladyred4Justice
First, the County Commissioners are saying nothing because they do not have the necessary information at this point to make an informed decision. They will not say No outright because the Cruiseport could be extremely beneficial to the county and the residents. At this point there is not enough information. Only a proposal. We ALL have to wait and see.
Second, there is zero chance that your state reps and senators will stop it. This is big money and the state congress does not want counties to stop their development donors steady influx of perks.
Third, I did look at the proposal and did a little research. I personally watched a new port being built in Costa Maya. They have far more delicate reefs, and Yucatan has strong environmental protections to protect their resources.
The proposal from the Marine company includes donating the over 700 acre Rattlesnake Key to the County as a permanent Wildlife Sanctuary. The State refused to purchase it in 2021 and passed it off to the County. The County could not afford it and Slip Knott purchased it for 75 million. They own it and could currently develop it with residential, retail, and commercial. The proposed cruise-port is much closer to the Skyway and will not need major dredging in Terra Cia Bay. The channel will come directly from the existing channel in the center of Tampa Bay.
The proposed port will be 328 acres and they are donating Rattlesnake Key which is over 700 acres as a permanent sanctuary. This would be a MAJOR win for us all.
Third, and this is why I believe the cruise port WILL HAPPEN. Every single ship that docks at the cruise port, will bring over 1.3 million dollars into Manatee County. With the Mega ships, it will be probably be around 2 million. For every docking. Not paid to the government, earned by our citizens as the passengers rent hotels overnight, take day tours (or even extend their vacation and stay longer), all the restaurants and retail stores, our major attractions like the Planetarium & Museum, the Village of the Arts, AMI and Bradenton Beach, Charter fishing, swimming with the Manatees, glass boats, Kayaking tours. They will have 1500 permanent port jobs which are union and pay very well.
The money it will bring the area will be well over 20 million a week. That will enrich every single resident in the county. When the Government is provided those figures, they will see that the benefits far outweigh the loss of 328 acres that were already zoned as buildable. The County and City governments will also have a major influx of cash from the taxes and permits and will hopefully use it to improve our roads, traffic choke points, and our failing water systems.
I am an environmentalist. I don't jump to a conclusion without knowing the facts. I hear all you naysayers who did not looks at the benefits, just seeing wetlands and jumping on the NIMBY wagon. However, having looked over the benefits versus losing a small area of wetlands, I am strongly FOR this 328 acre cruise port at the Skyway in exchange for Rattlesnake Key's over 700 acres to be preserved as a Wildlife Sanctuary, deeded to the County.
Tuesday, February 17 Report this