GovernorRon.DeSantis@eog.myflorida.com

ashley.moody@myfloridalegal.com

CFO.Patronis@myfloridacfo.com

wilton.simpson@FDACS.gov

cc: info@safercleanerships.com

Subject: Deny expansion of Pier B Cruise Port / BOT Agenda Item 1B

Governor Ron DeSantis

Attorney General Ashley Moody

Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis

Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson

Governor and Cabinet Officers:

Last Stand requests that you deny the proposed expansion of the Pier B cruise port, appearing as Item 1B on your BOT agenda. Despite ample evidence that its operations degrade local water quality, the Department of Environmental Protection has not inspected this facility since 2019. The Pier B cruise port operates in an environmentally sensitive area, designated as Outstanding Florida Waters and within the Florida Keys Area of Critical State Concern and the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary.  The proposed expansion would permit larger vessel traffic, increasing adverse effects on water quality without any environmental impact assessment.

As demonstrated in prior referendums, the majority of Key West citizens have repeatedly shown their desire to limit the size of cruise ships in port. Pier B’s request would enlarge the lease of Florida state submerged land to Pier B and allow larger cruise ships to berth. Pier B’s proposal is in direct opposition to the public interest of the people of Key West.

Denial of the lease will not harm the applicant's business, which may continue its historic operations under the existing lease.

Please vote to DENY BOT Agenda Item 1B, the proposed expansion of the Pier B cruise port. 

Thank you for considering our position.

The Last Stand Board of Directors

P.O Box 146

Key West, FL 33041

www.keyslaststand.org

Last Stand is a non-profit organization of volunteer citizens interested in preserving the Florida Keys' unique quality of life and fragile, beautiful natural environment. We have worked tirelessly since 1987 to protect Key West and the Florida Keys