To Study, Or Not To Study?

That is the burning question among civically- minded residents of Key West this summer.  The upcoming referendum questionof whether or not to proceed with the feasibility study for widening Key West Harbor Channel has the town abuzz and camps divided.  The vast range of misinformation, smoke and mirrors, modus operandi and emotion surrounding this topic could fill a book.  Do you consider yourself well- informed on all the angles of a “yes” or a “no” vote on October 1st?

Proponents of the study refute that performing this study will in fact lead to a green light on the dredging to widen the shipping lane for a larger, more easily navigable port.  In fact, a study will simply afford local leaders an opportunity to make a more informed decision regarding a decision to dredge.  A larger, more navigable channel increases Key West’s attractiveness from a business perspective.  Indeed, the improvement upon an outdated infrastructure would be a welcome facelift, would it not?

Whereas the feasibility study is “just a study,” as impressed upon local environmental leaders at a recent local meeting, many environmentalists disagree.  Research studies on dredging channels are available all over the internet.   Rather than a study yielding science, opponents view the “feasibility study” as a crack in legal protection where a weed can grow, a weed that will inform local policy makers on how to make the dredging happen from a legal standpoint, from a permitting standpoint.  This is seen as a slippery slope, an opportunity to further infringe upon an already compromised ecosystem in a federally protected National Marine Sanctuary.  Corals on the endangered species list and corals on the edge of endangered designationwould be the immediate victims if dredging were to become a reality.

In the spirit of community and informed discussion regarding this critical referendum question, the Florida Keys Environmental Coalition has organized an open public forum for this very debate on Sunday September 8, 2013 from 6:00- 8:00 p.m. at the Tennessee Williams Fine Arts Center on Stock Island, located at the Florida Keys Community College Key West Campus.  Panelists on both sides of the debate will take the stage to answer your questions, moderated by U.S. 1 Radio’s own Ezra Marcus.  Scheduled speakers are Jennifer Hulse and  Dr. Robin Lockwood on the “just a study” side, and on the “just say no” side, panelists Jolly Benson and Mark Songer.  Make an informed decision on voting day. This event is free and open to the public.  For more information, visit www.fkec.org.