Wildlife Refuge and the Great White Heron National Wildlife Refuge. The Sanctuary’s focus is its’ zoning and boundary plan which includes areas such the Ecological Preserves and Sanctuary Preservation Areas but the public can make recommendations on other issues related to it management and regulation.This is your opportunity to have a say in the future management and regulation of the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary and the backcountry management of the Florida Keys by the USFWS. Public comments are being accepted Through June 29, 2012. Comments may be submitted electronically and via mail, and during five public meetings.On May 8 the House of Representatives is expected to consider an amendment that would block funding for the Obama administration’s National Ocean Policy. Such an amendment would seriously hamper conservation and management of marine resources and wildlife. The National Ocean Policy is a comprehensive, common-sense way to handle the growing demands on our coasts. It stimulates job creation and economic growth while protecting the health of ecosystems
The National Ocean Policy is the country’s framework for coping with the competing and growing demands on our oceans and coasts. Urge your representative to oppose any amendment that would block this sensible approach.
Senate Bill 724, Domestic Wastewater Discharged Through Ocean Outfalls
We need your help, please forward this action alert
DEJA VU ALL OVER AGAIN 
This years attempt by the Florida legislature to never let a good deed go unpunished is a renewed attack on the 2008 ocean outfall bill that outlaws the archaic practice of dumping 396,000,000 gallons a day of inadequately treated sewage into the coastal waters of southeast Florida.
Last year Tallahassee heard your voices and the attempt to delay the implementation of the outfall law was never brought to a vote in the Senate.
This year more of the same. This 2012 version is seeking to derail the outfall law by extending the compliance deadline by two years.
Delaying reporting and other parts of the bill simply rewards counties who have done nothing since the bills passage, said DeeVon Quirolo founder and retired executive director of Key West based Reef Relief. Adding nothing has changed to justify weakening the original bill whereas the over-riding need for improving water quality for coral reefs has increased with every year.
This bill has just passed the FL House and is headed to the FL Senate.
BUT, THERE IS STILL TIME TO STOP IT!
We are asking for your help:
First:
Email the Florida Senate Committee on Rules and tell Chairman Senator John Thrasher you are opposed to the Miguel Diaz de la Portilla Senate Bill 724 (Domestic Wastewater Discharged Through Ocean Outfalls) and request the Committee on Rules not schedule SB 724 for a vote before the Senate.
Second:
If you live in Florida email your FL Senator and tell them you oppose Senate Bill 724 and if the bill comes before the Senate ask them to vote against it. (Click here to find your Senator).
If you do not live in Florida you can still help, Tell VISIT FLORIDA®, the states official tourism marketing corporation you do not want to visit Florida to swim in the sewage polluted ocean: http://www.visitflorida.com/feedback/
Looking for a Spring Break destination tell VISIT FLORIDA® how you feel about swimming in sewage.
Below is a letter sent to the Florida Senate from environmental and industry organizations.
February 23, 2012
Eastern Surfing Association Palm Beach County District
- Target: The United Nations
- Sponsored by: The Marine Conservation Institute and Chantecaille Beaute
Corals create spectacular undersea ecosystems that are home to thousands of plant and animal species. The integrity of these “rainforests of the sea” is threatened by human activities including illegal and unsustainable fishing, global warming and pollution.
Less than 1.2% of the world’s oceans are protected – far below the 10% target set by the Convention on Biological Diversity. The best ways we can save corals from disappearing are by creating Marine Protected Areas to extend these protections, and phasing out bottom trawling – the world’s most destructive fishing technique. By taking these two steps, the United Nations can safeguard coral ecosystems and their diverse marine life.
Sign Petition!
NRDC Action Alert
A new EPA proposal would consider acceptable beach water pollution that would let 1 in 28 beachgoers get sick. The Environmental Protection Agency had promised to update beach pollution regulations but these are virtually the same standards it issued in 1986. Before the February 21st comment deadline, urge the EPA to protect our health and strengthen its proposal. Learn more about this issue »
Subject: Docket #EPA-HQ-OW-2011-0466 – Protect public health at U.S. beaches
Sixty-day public comment period for Draft Phase I Early Restoration Plan
Dec. 14, 2011. www.gulfspillrestoration.noaa.gov. PRESS RELEASE
The Deepwater Horizon Natural Resource Damage Assessment (NRDA) Trustees (Trustees) today released the Deepwater Horizon Draft Phase I Early Restoration Plan & Environmental Assessment (DERP/EA) for formal public comment. It is the first in an anticipated series of plans to begin restoration of the Gulf of Mexico to compensate for natural resource injuries, including the loss of human use of Gulf resources, from the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill.
The DERP/EA describes the initial projects proposed to receive funding from the $1 billion Early Restoration agreement announced by the Trustees and BP on April 21, 2011, called the Framework Agreement. The Trustees will hold 12 public meetings in January and February 2012 throughout Gulf Coast communities and in Washington, D.C. to solicit formal public comment on the DERP/EA.
“Public feedback is of the utmost importance, and we encourage people to submit comments and attend the upcoming public meetings,” said Cooper Shattuck, chair of the Trustee Council Executive Committee, speaking on behalf of the Trustees. “This is the first step in beginning restoration of injuries caused by the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill. While continuing to accept project ideas, we will move forward with additional phases of Early Restoration until the entire $1 billion is committed to Gulf Coast restoration.” Read more at http://www.gulfspillrestoration.noaa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/FINALPressRelease-DERP-MultiPage-12.13.2011-1830.pdf
Your voice needs to be heard, tell your Representative to support the Reauthorization of the Marine Debris Research, Prevention and Reduction Act.
As you know, marine debris (plastic and other garbage in our oceans) is a huge and growing problem. Marine debris is estimated to kill millions of seabirds and 100,000 marine mammals each year. In all, 270 ocean species are affected by entanglement or ingestion by the roughly 14 billion pounds of trash that flow into our oceans each year.
Faced with this massive assault on our oceans, is there anything we can do? Absolutely.
Since 2006, NOAA has been running a Marine Debris Program in partnership with the Coast Guard. This program uses research, engagement and education to better understand the problem, and to prevent it by changing human behaviors. The program also ventures out into the ocean to remove existing marine debris, reclaiming destructive fishing gear, and other garbage.
This good program is making a difference, and Congressman Sam Farr (D-CA) has introduced a bill to ensure that NOAA and the Coast Guard can continue and expand this important work.
Please contact your Representative and tell them to support H.R. 1171, the Reauthorization of the Marine Debris Research, Prevention and Reduction Act
TAKE ACTION NOW at Ocean Champions.org
Ocean Conservancy Action Alert – November 2011
Right now the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is considering approval of genetically engineered farmed salmon. This would be the first approval anywhere in the world of a GE animal for human consumption.
We need your help to tell the FDA that genetically engineered food – including fish – must be labeled so consumers will know what’s on their plates.
Take action now
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is proposing to establish a manatee refuge in Citrus County, Fla., in the waters of Kings Bay. It has determined that certain waterborne activities — including boating at speeds in excess of 35 miles per hour — must be restricted in order to prevent the harassment, hurting or killing of manatees.A manatee refuge is an area in which Fish and Wildlife has determined that certain waterborne activities must be restricted in order to prevent “taking” the species. “Take” includes everything from attempted harassment to capturing or killing.
Kings Bay is an important water resource for the Florida manatee. It is a large embayment at the Crystal River’s headwaters on the west coast of Florida, which is fed by more than 70 freshwater springs. These warm waters give manatees a safe, warm place to escape cooler waters, which they cannot tolerate.
After studying the biological needs of the manatee, the level of take in Kings Bay, and the likelihood of more take due to human activity, the Service established the area as a manatee refuge by special emergency rule in November 2010, which expired March 15, 2011. Tell the Service why you think this area should be protected as a manatee refuge. It’s accepting comments on the proposed rule and draft environmental assessment for just a few more days — till August 22.
The Fish and Wildlife Service needs to hear (1) reasons why the area should be designated as a manatee refuge; (2) information on current or planned activities in the area and their possible effects on manatees; (3) foreseeable economic or other impacts resulting from the proposed designation; (4) substantive information on real or potential effects on the manatee; and (5) actions that could be considered instead of, or along with, the proposed designation that would provide equivalent protection to the manatee against the threat of take. Take action now or visit http://action.biologicaldiversity.org/p/dia/action/public/action_KEY=7569#.Tkwps5VKuj4.facebook
- Striped dolphins (Stenella coeruleoalba) observed in emulsified oil on April 29, 2010 photo:NOAA
On July 21, a bipartisan coalition of nine Gulf Coast senators, including Senators Bill Nelson and Mario Rubio, introduced the RESTORE the Gulf Coast Act of 2011 (S. 1400). This much-needed legislation would ensure that at least 80% of BP penalties paid under the Clean Water Act would be dedicated to Gulf States to invest in the long-term health of the coastal ecosystem and its economies. Under current law, this money would go to the U.S. Treasury and the Gulf Coast would get nothing.
- Chairman Barbara Boxer has pledged her support for the RESTORE the Gulf Coast Act of 2011, S. 1400 and will schedule a mark-up when Congress reconvenes in September.
- Your voice is needed to contact Republican and Democratic Members of the Committee and urge that they pass S. 1400 by voice vote.
- Ask to speak with the staff person who handles EPW Committee Issues and request that their Senator support S. 1400.
