Current unmanaged mooring area near Wisteria Island off Key West.

COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ASK MARINE RESOURCES TO PURSUE ADDING 100 MOORINGS NEAR WISTERIA ISLAND

KEY WEST, FL – After looking at several alternative locations, the Monroe County Board of County Commissioners directed Monroe County Marine Resources to pursue permitting 100 moorings near the Wisteria Key area off the island of Key West.

A Preliminary Feasibility Study explored potential mooring field sites within one mile of the Key West Bight City Dock, which is required to make Florida Statute 327.4108 effective. The statute designates Monroe County as an anchoring limitation area.

Data used for choosing the area included preliminary benthic and bathymetric data, existing shoreside services, and coordination meetings with the City of Key West, Florida Dept. of Environmental Protection, Army Corps of Engineers, and the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. Permitting will be required from the state and federal agencies before moving forward.

“The City of Key West has been an excellent partner, and we look forward to further coordination,” said Marine Resources Senior Administrator Brittany Burtner. “The shoreside and upland services they operate meet mooring field permitting requirements, including existing dinghy dockage and shower facilities that could use additional upgrades to make the facility more user-friendly.”

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