People Protecting Terra Ceia Aquatic Preserve founding member Geoff Click speaks Feb. 14 to attendees of a Save the bay rally in Terra Ceia. Islander Photo: Robert Anderson
The Florida Senate Feb. 19 unanimously voted for a measure to strengthen protections for the Terra Ceia Aquatic Preserve as debate continues over a proposed cruise terminal near the mouth of Tampa Bay.
When the Senate passed SB 302, a coastal resiliency bill sponsored by Ileana Garcia, R-Miami, it approved an amendment by Jim Boyd, R-Bradenton, to reinforce protections under the Florida Aquatic Preserve Act of 1975 and allow only “minimum dredging and filling” for the creation and maintenance of marinas, public boat ramps, piers and docks, along with related navigation channels and access roads, subject to state approval and public notice requirements.
Boyd, in a statement posted Feb. 20 to Facebook, wrote, “Strengthening resiliency is critical to protecting Florida coastlines and preserving our unique ecosystems, including the Terra Ceia Aquatic Preserve. Thank you, Senator Ileana Garcia, for your work on SB 302 to protect our communities by identifying long-term, cost-effective nature-based restoration opportunities to fortify Florida.”
The legislative action comes amid controversy over a proposed cruise terminal on the 328-acre Knott-Cowen tract southwest of the Sunshine Skyway Bridge.
SSA Marine and Slip Knott LLC have outlined a multi-berth facility designed to serve cruise ships too tall to pass beneath the Skyway’s 180-foot vertical clearance.
In a Feb. 20 statement issued through SSA Marine’s public relations office in response to questions about Boyd’s amendment, the company said: “SSA Marine is committed to environmental stewardship and creating long-term economic opportunities that we are confident will be transformative for Manatee County. We look forward to continuing to engage with residents, officials, and community leaders in meaningful dialogue to discuss a shared vision for the region which includes marine conservation, well-paying jobs, and robust recreational activities.”
Geoff Click, a founder of the grassroots group People Protecting Terra Ceia Aquatic Preserve, which formed in opposition to the proposed cruise port, said he had “mixed, mixed feelings” about the amendment.
“The language is so broad for marinas, there’s no limitations on scale or scope of proposed marinas,” Click said, adding that dredging standards are “all very subjective and definitely leave the door open.”
“I don’t want to discredit Jim Boyd because I appreciate the cruise port aspects of it getting more challenging,” Click said. “But it opens up a big door for developers to do things that require dredge and fill within the aquatic preserve and gives them an easier lane forward.”
To become law, SB 302 would need to pass the Florida House of Representatives and both chambers must agree on identical language.
If approved in both chambers, the bill would go to Gov. Ron DeSantis, who could sign it, veto it or allow it to become law without his signature.
Unless otherwise specified, legislation passed during session typically takes effect July 1.
Click voiced concern that some people might view the amendment as a final victory.
“I worry that people in the community are going to get fixated on, ‘Oh, we won, we stopped the cruise port,’ when there’s still the threat of a major project, major dredge and fill, major implications on the health of the ecosystem and the quality of life for people who live around there,” he said.
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