What, exactly, does this website advocate?
We are formulating a suggestion to county authorities that would regulate camping on Shell Key Preserve through responsible permitting as an alternative to an outright camping prohibition. In addition, we are currently advocating a compromise to the current plan to ban pets year-round.

As avid visitors and campers on Shell Key, why would we be advocating further limits on human activity?
The county will almost certainly ban camping if we do not act now. The current plan is to issue a wholesale camping ban later this year. In addition, we will eventually lose all privileges to visit this island if we do not find sustainable, long term solutions to the problems of increased visitation to Shell Key. Also, as avid campers and nature lovers, we do not believe that our recreational interests are incompatible with preservation requirements.

Are Campers to blame?
Campers are only a tiny fraction of the people who visit the island. This is why banning campers from shell key does not represent a long term solution to the issue of preservation.

Campers plan for overnight trips and bring garbage bags. Many day trippers do not think about this need until they get to the island. Furthermore, day visitors often stay until sunset - and then rush to get off the island before it gets dark. In the process, they leave a lot of waste. Banning camping will not solve the problem of waste on Shell Key.

Short term vs. sustainable solutions
Our point is not to blame one group over another, but to point out that banning camping is not a sustainable solution. In a few years, as our population continues to grow, we will be right back here arguing over how to balance preservation of the island while maintaining the privilege of responsible people to enjoy the island. There are already some who are calling for banning all human activity on the island. We have a plan that provides long-term solutions for preservation while allowing for continued, reasonable access by the public.

Legitimate Evening Activities
Primitive camping is a cherished activity for the many people who enjoy it. But there are also other evening activities on Shell Key including Amateur Astronomy. Due to light polution, the darker skies on Shell Key represent the only location in our county where professional and amateur astronomers can engage in meaningful deep sky observing.

Compelling Interest
The county has a compelling public interest in maintaining some access for boaters and primitive camping on the island because it is the LAST remaining location in the county where this type of access is legally permitted.

Municipalities and the county have systematically blocked off every other location in our county through either development or preservation. The county has an interest in finding long term solutions that will balance public use of this last remaining open resource - with the requirement of preservation.

We need each other
We do not believe that this issue needs to pit recreational visitors' interests against those of the environmental groups. This does not need to be a "boaters vs birders" situation.

Anyone who admires nature appreciates those dedicated individuals who work and volunteer to preserve our environment. At the same time, environmental advocates can't do the job of preservation alone. They need the general public to support their efforts to make a difference. But when natural resources dwindle we find ourselves at a conflict of interest.

An ideal solution?
The best possible solution to the issue of preservation vs. public use is to find meaningful, long term environmental solutions - that foster positive attitudes of the public toward preservation efforts. We may not achieve this ideal to everyone's satisfaction, but that will be the goal for which we strive.

We need to be proactive
If we do not act, we will eventually lose all privileges to enjoy Shell Key. When the county assumed responsibility for maintaining this island, public access ceased to be a right - and became a privilege. We need to show that we do not take this privilege for granted and are willing to accept reasonable restrictions for the goal of continued public access.

We believe that we have the basis for a simple and sustainable solution that will address long term environmental concerns - while limiting the public outrage that would occur if their privilege to enjoy the island were taken away. We are asking for your support for our compromise position...

A fair and sustainable solution...

Our plan is for a sustainable, long term solution for the preservation of this resource. The solution, in a nutshell, is this...

	Allow License based, regulated camping in limited areas to foster stewardship.
	Clarify Pet Restrictions & address waste.
	Generate revenue and accommodate law enforcement

1) Require county permits for all overnight campers.

Pinellas county already has a permitting system in place for groups of over 50 people. This system could be expanded to include all campers. The county may charge whatever reasonable fee they wish for these permits.

After confering with County officials, we have found that Licensing is a more economical alternative to individual permits due to the cost of staffing during a time of tight County budget cuts. We also like this idea since it will allow for more spontanious access for responsible, licensed campers.

Permits/Licenses would need to be displayed prominently and applicants would be required to bring a portable toilet and abide by all the preserve rules.

How will permitting help foster stewardship of Shell Key by campers?
Requiring campers to obtain a permit, provides a great opportunity for public outreach on environmental issues and to reinforce camping rules.

Regulating the numbers
The county would have the ability to limit the stress on the island that occurs at peak visitation during summer nesting seasons and holiday weekends. By placing a reasonable limit on the number of daily camping permits issued, peak numbers can be controlled.

Enforcement:
Camping applicants would be issued a small flag or other marker to be displayed on any vessel with overnight campers. In this way, law enforcement would not be required to get wet to check for compliance. Enforcement of the camping ban on the north end would be easy - as law enforcement could disperse violators with a bullhorn from their vessel. Violators would face stiff fines.

Funding:
Proceeds from the camping permits and fines would go toward the maintenance of Shell Key, preservation of wildlife and enforcement of the park rules. We do not yet have information on how such funds are legally distributed, but at minimum, campers on shell key would be contributing to the county budget from which preservation and enforcement are funded.

Pet Restriction Compromise The current draft plan proposes a year-round, zero-tolerance policy for pets on Shell Key. The county says that existing signs have been ineffective in keeping dogs out of restricted areas - and environmentalists point out that the 2 month ban does not cover the 6 month nesting season. We have a solution...	(Signage Project)
We have a solution... 6 month ban + Effective Signage = Viable Compromise Since the primary complaint about the current 2-month pet ban policy is that it does not cover the full 6 month summer nesting season, we have suggested that the ban be expanded to 6 months as an alternative to a year-round zero-toleance policy. The image above illustrates our design for signs that will clarify the rules for dog owners. The signs in combination with our 6-month compromise - and the planed increase of the restricted wildlife area - should have a significant impact on preservation while still allowing some access to the family dog. It has been pointed out that allowing dogs during the winter months will still pose a threat to wintering shorebirds. However, we still think this is a reasonable compromise since there are far fewer visitors during the winter months - and the consequences of disturbing wintering shorebirds would be less than during the critical summer nesting season - and the proposed new signs would still serve to minimise intrusions by dogs in the protected areas. We intend to have a "mockup" of our proposed signwage solution at the Sept. 11th meeting. If you agree with our compromise position, contact the county to let them know - or come to the county workshop on the 11th to support our ideas.

Dogs are capable of causing significant damage to the nesting shorebirds and sea turtles on Shell Key. We understand and sympathize with responsible pet owners for their desire to have their pets included in their nature experience. However, we are now facing the possibility that all pets will be permanently banned from Shell Key.

Current restrictions include a 2 month ban on pets during the critical nesting season from April 15 - June 15. In an effort to preserve some access for responsible pet owners, we are proposing that this period be expanded to cover the full 6 month nesting season from April to September. We hope that pet owners are willing to make this compromise in order to be allowed to include their pets for the other half of the year.

Human Waste
As more people visit Shell Key, we are beginning to notice the signs of human waste in certain parts of the island. We have proposed that all permitted campers be required to have a portable toilet with them. These toilets are very compact and inexpensive to buy at most mega-stores. Simple "port-a-potties" may be purchased for under $20 while higher end models can be had for under $100.

However, day visitors also relieve themselves in the sand dunes - and there are many more people during the day than at night. We would like to explore the possibility of installing a few low maintenance "pit toilets" on the south end. This type of toilet is currently being successfully used on Anclote Key off Tarpon Springs. (Anclote Key also has a permitting system in place for campers). We will consult with county engineers to see if this type of toilet is practical on Shell Key.

More to come
As we further develop our suggestions for the Shell Key Management Plan, we are asking for input from environmental specialists and recreational boaters to hammer out a deal that will be satisfactory to all interested parties.

We believe that this is a fair, legal and sustainable solution to the balance of public use with preservation.

Our Pledge
Our thanks go to all the folks who have contributed to this site and we pledge to continue our efforts in finding solutions to preserve public access to Shell Key and to foster positive relations between recreational visitors and environmental advocates.

Thanks for stopping by. Please pass the word about this site and let's hear your opinion...

Jack Coletti
Shell Key Advisory Committee
jack@coletti.net

Contributors:

Dr. Brett Mensh MD, PHD

Timyn J Rice (DEP)

Larry Joe Davis, Esq.