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Last time I checked, free enterprise was alive and well in the Keys. Also, I was not asked to submit my past tax returns in order to verify income before being allowed to enter. I agree with your suggestions to "cut the flow of crap that is being pumped into the water...cut off the fertlizer and pesticide runoff from the golf courses and the green lawns that everyone seems to plant....process the runoff from the roads before it is allowed to flow into the Bay". But I can also take you to hundreds of places where the bottom is littered with trash, where the coral is covered with monofillament, where the turtle grass has been dredged up by careless operators running aground. Much of that damage was and is caused by recreational activities. Every wilderness area can sustain a limited amount of commercial and recreational use before its quality and sustainability are severely affected. The Keys passed that point a while ago. Now we must put a halt to the insult and attempt to restore the area. If the sugar companies have to pay billions, too bad for them. If, as a resident of Miami-Dade county, I have to pay more taxes to treat our storm water runoff, too bad for me. And if it winds up costing you more money the next time you go to the Keys, guess what, too bad. The earth can only give so much before it is permanently changed. I also use my own personal time and money to forward conservation. I also do it for a living. What is your point in stating that you use your own time and money to help with conservation efforts? Again, I'm not stating anything on behalf of NOAA. How would you propose to manage commercial/recreational use of the Keys? Or do you think that recreational activities have no impact? Tony ____________________Reply Separator____________________ Subject: Re: Re[2]: Say "no" to NOAA?? Author: merciert@ti*.co* Date: 2/19/99 11:04 AM Mr. Martinez, I am absolutely in favor of preserving all underwater environments. I am absolutely in favor of preserving free access for all divers and others who wish to enjoy those habitats. I am opposed to any who seek to allow only their favored few, especially consessionaires, to control that access. It eliminates free trade and thus begins to cost individual divers and others exorbant amounts of dollars to enjoy their environment. The parks and open waters are not only for the rich....you have only to look to the National Parks to see how the consessionaires have screwed up the park system. It is all for the people not the privileged few. Having had lived in Florida and dove, and fished, extensively in the Keys...I have seen damage that has been done in the 28 years that I have been diving in the Keys....cut the flow of crap that is being pumped into the water...cut off the fertlizer and pesticide runoff from the golf courses and the green lawns that everyone seems to plant....process the runoff from the roads before it is allowed to flow into the Bay...and leave the recreational divers and fishermen alone. NOAA use your resources to deal with the real problems. I remain opposed to the establishment of a NOAA Sanctuary in the Keys. I am ,like yourself, a concerned citizen but not a paid NOAA employee...I pay the cost now...I use my own time and resources to preserve the underwater environment...how about you? Captain Tom Mercier BSc Vice President of Michigans Thumb Area Bottomlands Preserve Board Member of Michigan Underwater Preserve Council ---------- > From: Anthony Martinez <Anthony.Martinez@no*.go*> > To: merciert@ti*.co*; freeattic@co*.ci*.uf*.ed* > Subject: Re[2]: Say "no" to NOAA?? > Date: Friday, February 19, 1999 8:52 AM > > > If you would have personally witnessed the massive decline in resource quality > in and around the Keys, you might not be so adamant in your objection to > preserving one of this countries most amazing eco-systems. Even if it comes at a > cost. I say this as a concerned citizen and not an employee of NOAA. - Tony > > ____________________Reply Separator____________________ > Subject: Re: Say "no" to NOAA?? > Author: merciert@ti*.co* > Date: 2/16/99 8:42 PM > > Apparently NOAA wants to make a preserve of a large portion of the > keys. > Where this was done in other places and their Attempt in Michigans Thunder > Bay... NOAA grants consessions to business and kicks out anyone who is not > a consessionaire. The costs to divers then just goes up and up as the > prices are then controlled by a very few businesses who have no competition > thanks to the US of A. > > Captain Tom Mercier > > ---------- > From: Bill Lais <billlais@mp*.ne*> > To: Cost effective home improvement <freeattic@co*.ci*.uf*.ed*> > Subject: Say "no" to NOAA?? > Date: Tuesday, February 16, 1999 2:12 AM > > As I was driving through Marathon Key Monday, I noticed a small submarine > with "Just say no to NOAA" painted on the side of it in front of a dive > shop. Anyone know why?? > > - Bill
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