This letter follows up on Last Stand's remarks, provides supporting references, and identifies several open issues. We hope the County can address these questions and adopt land development regulations that ensure the enforceability of these protections that we have been promised. 

 We also continue to advocate for a one-year extension of the ITP as the simplest way to accomplish that; it remains a legally available option, and missing the extension deadline does not foreclose it.

We are asking the County to request an extension of the HCP/ITP for at least one year to address the open questions — both practical, legal, and environmental. There are too many open questions, too much uncertainty, and too much at risk.

Last Stand is writing regarding the Big Pine Key and No Name Key Incidental Take Permit and Habitat Conservation Plan (“HCP/ITP”), which is set to expire on June 30, 2026. We appreciate that the County and Last Stand share the goal of maintaining effective protections for habitat and endangered species, and we write in that spirit. The County's recent press release, however, suggests that expiration will not meaningfully affect the rate or nature of development, or the protection of endangered species and their habitat.

Monroe County has issued a notice indicating it is prepared to greenlight a proposed heavy-vehicle training facility in endangered species habitat on Big Pine Key by issuing a “Finding of No Significant Impact” (FONSI).

Twenty-four Keys organizations representing thousands of residents are urging Monroe County commissioners to reject a Comprehensive Plan amendment that would eliminate the prohibition on widening the Overseas Highway to four lanes. The coalition argues the amendment would surrender local control to FDOT and fuel overdevelopment while failing to solve congestion issues.

Last Stand urges the extension of protections for Big Pine and No Name Keys after the expiration of the Habitat Conservation Plan, emphasizing the importance of safeguarding endangered species and maintaining healthy habitats. The organization calls for balanced growth to preserve these keys' unique environment for future generations.

The proposed rescission of the "harm" definition under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) would weaken critical habitat protections for species dependent on intact ecosystems. The current definition includes habitat destruction that impairs vital behaviors like breeding and feeding, which is crucial for species like the Key deer, sea turtles, and manatees in the Florida Keys. Removing this definition would limit the enforcement of habitat protections, making it harder to address indirect threats from development and pollution. This change contradicts the ESA's broad, preventative purpose and would undermine decades of progress in conservation, risking the survival of species and ecosystems that are already under significant threat.

Keys Last Stand strongly opposes the proposal to 4-lane the Overseas Highway, citing concerns about increased traffic, environmental impacts, and public safety. Studies reveal that adding lanes induces more demand, leading to congestion, overdevelopment, and further strain on our fragile marine ecosystem. We urge officials to reconsider this approach and prioritize sustainable solutions to preserve the Keys’ unique quality of life.