Opinion: Florida dredging project threatens manatees

Florida manatees could be threatened by proposed new boating access channel on Florida's Nature Coast. PHOTO COURTESY NOAA.

Florida developers just can’t let go of their get-rich-quick schemes

By Bob Berwyn

SUMMIT COUNTY — Florida may still be mired in the worst real estate slump in memory, but that has never stopped starry-eyed speculators in the state from trying to make quick buck by scraping raw land and building ticky-tack subdivisions.

One of the latest schemes would make a mockery of the “Nature Coast” designation for a stretch of coastline extending from Clearwater to Ochlockonee Bay that harbors 19 endangered species.

As if the development weren’t bad enough on it own, there are plans afoot to dredge a massive new channel that would result in almost unprecedented destruction of seagrass in Fillman Bayou, with ongoing impacts from heavy boat traffic after construction. (more…)

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