To DEP: Don't Sell Our Conservation Lands

An Open Letter To DEP Staff Members,

The blood, sweat, tears and lives of many Florida Keys’ residents have gone into protecting tracts of land that are critical to the preservation of all life in Monroe County.

Any reasonable individual can understand, safeguarding our habitat and fragile aquatic ecosystem is an uphill battle when facing off greedy developers and corrupted politicians.

There is always some builder friendly nuances being proposed by those who are uninterested in preserving the quality of life of our citizens.

We cannot continue to allow our environments to be torn apart for the sake of profit. The delicate balance that must be maintained so our string of tiny islands can remain viable will be put in jeopardy, if you remove these life sustaining parcels from the protected list.

The Florida Keys are an “Area of Critical” concern. Please demonstrate that you are willing to perform the duties, as implied by the nature of your position, that you have sworn to uphold.

Please stand firm in your resistance to any and all weakening of the laws, policies and ordinances that will place are land at risk.

I earnestly request that you do not place any conservation properties on the proposed surplus lands list in Monroe County.

I ask that you consider this communiqué when making your decision and that you also make it a part of the record. Thank you.

Respectfully,

John Donnelly

Key Largo, Florida