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*The following letter was sent to the City of Key West Commission ahead of their January 7 meeting regarding water quality monitoring.*

Dear Mayor and Commissioners,

            Reef Relief has been present in the Florida Keys since its establishment in 1986. It exists as one of the longest-standing environmental non-profits located in the Florida Keys. Reef Relief has had a historical impact on the Florida Keys waters that began with the installation of mooring buoys in the Florida Keys Barrier Reef, later turned over to the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary system. Photographs and videos of underwater transects helped scientists report on changes at the reef and discover new coral diseases. Since then, Reef Relief manages the Key West Marine Park, operates the Reef Relief Environmental Visitor Center, have become leaders in marine science youth education, host opportunities for volunteers to give back to the community, and has developed several conservation campaigns to engage local businesses.

            We are deeply concerned with the water quality issues surrounding Key West. There are countless threats impacting the water quality and with a rapidly declining water quality, our coral reef suffers more and more. Over the last 40 years the Florida Keys have lost over 90% of the living coral coverage located in the Florida Barrier Reef, North America’s only living barrier reef. This can be attributed to multiple threats including but not limited to coral diseases, other diseases, coral bleaching, sedimentation, sewage discharge, storm water pollution, and derelict fishing gear. Although we know about these issues, many impacts have not been quantified, only recorded anecdotally, which leaves our hands tied when we try to establish policies to protect what little coral is left.

            The City’s partnership with Dr. Rice and the College of the Florida Keys was an incredible step in the right direction in tackling water quality issues. The research proved to be unbiased with sound data collected. We are disappointed to hear that this partnership may no longer continue. It is our understanding that this topic will be discussed again at the city commission meeting on January 7. We hope that you all prioritize the need for water quality data for the City of Key West. Too often, the focus of saving the coral reef has been to simply plant corals in the reef, watch them die, and then plant more. A never-ending rotation, a large amount of costs and labors, no noticeable results, and the reef is still dying. We cannot sit back and watch our environment decline any more than it already has. The data may not produce favorable results for all, but that is the great thing about data. Data doesn’t lie. Although it can be manipulated in the hands of the wrong entity. It should be everyone’s priority to improve the water quality. Everyone in this city benefits from clean, clear, blue water, and a thriving coral reef.

            Reef Relief requests that you thoroughly consider who you will hire to continue this important testing. It is imperative that the City of Key West not only tackles water quality issues head on but does not shy away from the facts, to pursue avenues where unbiased sound science will prevail. Your residents and the residents of the environment deserve that. For this reason, Reef Relief would like to offer our time to assist with anything you may need to make this important and necessary decision.

Sincerely,

Millard McCleary

Reef Relief Executive Director