WE CAN'T HAVE BOTH. THE CHOICE IS OURS!
Reprinted from Prime Times, May, 2000, Vol 12, Issue 2, Pg. 20

RESULTING FROM A JOINT financing venture, the Marine Resources Council of South Florida and the St. Lucie County Waterfront Council would like to introduce a study conducted by the Florida Institute of Technology which testifies to significant direct impacts of shipping on the environment. This study comes at a very auspicious time as Fort Pierce industrial port expansion has recently come to the forefront!

GIVEN THAT THERE is wide acceptance in the scientific community of the fact that the Indian River is the "most diverse marine estuary in North America" , and that the Fort Pierce inlet is the richest area of the entire lagoon, it is improper that the ongoing Port of Fort Pierce expansion debate is not based on scientific findings, but instead on opinions. We suggest a shift of debate criteria to that information which is verifiable, credible and pertinent. We challenge proponents of port expansion at Fort Pierce to provide any qualified written information from any source that disputes the fact that shipping creates adverse environmental impacts.

MAY THOSE WHO proclaim that our Fort Pierce inlet region is the focal point of much marine research, and can continue to be well into the future, attracting many additional research related jobs, be reminded that the subject of said research (The Lagoon) needs the best possible protection, that our stewardship should be well thought out, and that talk is cheap! 

GREG CHELIUS of the Trust for Public Lands recently stated that, "Fort Pierce and St. Lucie County stand poised to create a breathtaking vision of the future for its residents and visitors." Let us not find ourselves lamenting "the saddest word of tongue and pen are these few words 'it might have been.'

Copies of the F.I.T study can be provided by calling our office at 461-9757, or fax us at 468-8688. Also please see our web site at: www.stlwaterfrontcouncii.org

We are a 501-C3 organization and composed of 100% volunteers. Contributions are appreciated and tax deductible.

Paid for by the St. Lucie Waterfront Council
P.O. Box 4143
Fort Pierce, FL 34948