[Coral-List] FLORIDA GOVERNOR, CABINET INCREASE PROTECTION FOR CORAL REEFS

Heidi Schuttenberg Heidi.Schuttenberg at noaa.gov
Wed Sep 3 13:50:58 EDT 2003


The following is posted on behalf of Paula Allen and the Florida
Department of Environmental Protection


August 26, 2003


GOVERNOR, CABINET INCREASE PROTECTION FOR CORAL REEFS
--Incentives safeguard reefs and reduce process for laying cable off
Florida's coast--

TALLAHASSEE -- Governor Jeb Bush and the Florida Cabinet today
unanimously
approved a plan that increases protection for North America's most
extensive
living coral reef system and ensures South Florida remains an
international
gateway for worldwide communications and
e-commerce.  The plan, proposed by the Department of Environmental
Protection
(DEP), encourages companies to safeguard sensitive reef systems by using

designated gaps in the coral reefs to install and connect cables to
information networks in South America and the Caribbean.

"Providing North America's sensitive coral reef system with the greatest

protection is critical," said DEP Secretary David B. Struhs. "By using
designated reef gaps, this plan protects precious natural resources,
reduces
regulatory burdens and ensures our state receives high quality
communications
services.  The plan protects the environment and benefits the economy."

Previously, requests for laying undersea cables in offshore state waters

required approval by the Florida Cabinet.  Under the new plan,
telecommunication companies that lay fiber optic cables in one of five
identified corridors off the coast of Broward and Palm Beach counties
will be
eligible for an expedited approval process by the Department.  Proposals
that
use alternative undersea routes will still require approval and
oversight by
the Florida Cabinet.

The plan also prohibits laying cables in the Biscayne Bay Aquatic
Preserve
and in the coastal waters of Monroe County, home to the Florida Keys
National
Marine Sanctuary and the only barrier reef in the continental United
States.


"This is a significant milestone for protecting marine life in Southeast

Florida," DEP Deputy Secretary Bob Ballard. "This common-sense approach
safeguards reefs, while reducing the time and cost of permitting for
both the
State and businesses.  Florida is protecting a natural treasure and
streamlining the regulatory process."

Fiber optic cables, which provide telephone and computer links to
Florida
homes and businesses, are essential to the state's economy and
technology
capabilities.  Governor Bush and Cabinet members directed the Department
to
develop the new guidelines in last December.  The rule will go into
effect
twenty days after filing with the Department of State.

- 30 -

Deena M. Wells
Press Secretary
Florida Department of Environmental Protection
Phone: 850-245-2112
Fax: 850-245-2117
deena.wells at dep.state.fl.us
www.floridadep.org

--
Heidi Schuttenberg
Environmental Policy Specialist
NOAA Ocean Service
Office of Response and Restoration

ph:  301-713-2989 x224
fx:  301-713-4389





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