Dear Nature Coast Seagrass Stewards,

Nearly two years ago, the Nature Coast Aquatic Preserve was signed into law. Since that time many of you have been involved in the community-driven process to develop a management plan for the new preserve. More than 80 of you attended the first public meeting held late last year and many other members of the Nature Coast community stepped up to fill formal roles on the Management Plan Advisory Committee as well. Your contributions are investments in the long-term health of the NCAP and prosperity of Citrus, Hernando, and Pasco counties and we thank you greatly for your involvement to date.

Later this month on Thursday, May 19 and Tuesday, May 24 the Florida Department of Environmental Protection is hosting two final public meetings to gather input on the draft management plan that your input helped shape. Both meetings are scheduled for 6 to 8 p.m. EDT; the May 19 meeting will be held virtually online (see link below to register) and the May 24 meeting will be held in-person at the Plantation on Crystal River, Crystal River, FL. Details for each meeting are linked to below. We encourage you to participate in these meetings.

We hope this new Pew blog will be helpful as you review the management plan and prepare to provide your local insights whether in-person or virtually later this month. Importantly the blog offers up questions to consider as you think about important aspects of the plan, such as protection and management of seagrass and other submerged resources, water quality, sustainable human use, and rising seas and temperatures impacting preserve resources. We hope you find it useful and encourage you to share it with other members of the community.

Attend the Nature Coast Aquatic Preserve Public Meetings May 19 and 24 for approving Draft Management Plans

• Public Meetings:
  • Thursday, May 19 Virtual Public Meeting 6-8pm EST: Meeting info https://floridadep.gov/rcp/aquatic-preserve/content/33254-nature-coast-aquatic-preserve-mgt-plan-public-meeting . Please register for the meeting here http://floridadep.gov/ncap-meeting2/
  • Tuesday, May 24 In-Person Public Meeting 6-8pm EST at the Plantation on Crystal River, 9301 West Fort Island Trail, Crystal River, FL 34429
• Draft Management Plan – The plan is packed with a wealth of information. If you can’t read it all, one area to focus your attention is Chapter 4, which details specific management programs, goals, and pathways to achieve those goals that preserve staff will work to implement in collaboration with local stakeholders. Link to the plan: http://publicfiles.dep.state.fl.us/CAMA/plans/Nature-Coast-AP-Management-Plan-DRAFT.pdf
• Link to Pew blog: https://www.pewtrusts.org/en/research-and-analysis/articles/2022/05/03/florida-seeks-public-input-on-managing-new-aquatic-preserve

I look forward to seeing you all at the virtual meeting and in-person in Crystal River. In the meantime, please reach out if I can be of any assistance.

Thanks and see you soon!

Best Wishes,

Cam

Cameron Jaggard
Principal Associate, Conserving Marine Life in the United States, Southeast 
The Pew Charitable Trusts