Sign up to save your podcasts
Or
Share Proposed Manatee County cruise port draws concerns from environmental groups
Share to email
Share to Facebook
Share to X
Share to email
Share to Facebook
Share to X
Or
Proposed Manatee County cruise port draws concerns from environmental groups
Listen:
A cruise company wants to build a new cruise port adjacent to the Sunshine Skyway Bridge that’ll take in ships that can’t fit under the bridge.
Environmental groups are expressing concern about the Manatee County project.
The cruise company, SSA Marine, is working with Tampa-based Slip Knott LLC on plans to develop the port that would be built on a 328-acre tract in Manatee County.
The company’s website states that the bridge will support tourism and create over 31,000 jobs.
But environmental group Suncoast Waterkeeper said it will threaten the health of watersheds, disrupt a key recreational and fishing area, and could be built too close to a key aquatic preserve.
“A change to our ecosystem, as proposed by this port, would significantly alter our way of life. So our economy, our environment, and also the communities that live nearby.” Abbey Tyrna told WMNF.
Tyrna is the executive director of Suncoast Waterkeeper and started a petition against the project.
“This proposal is talking about a very direct net loss of 300 acres of mangroves, which just cannot be afforded if we’re going to deliver on water quality and habitat goals for Tampa Bay in the surrounding area.” Tyrna said.
A representative for the project declined an interview and directed WMNF to the website of the proposed port, where they write that environmental stewardship is central to this project.
The proposal is still in its early stages and must go through various approvals from Manatee County.
The post Proposed Manatee County cruise port draws concerns from environmental groups appeared first on WMNF 88.5 FM.
View all episodes
By Listen:
A cruise company wants to build a new cruise port adjacent to the Sunshine Skyway Bridge that’ll take in ships that can’t fit under the bridge.
Environmental groups are expressing concern about the Manatee County project.
The cruise company, SSA Marine, is working with Tampa-based Slip Knott LLC on plans to develop the port that would be built on a 328-acre tract in Manatee County.
The company’s website states that the bridge will support tourism and create over 31,000 jobs.
But environmental group Suncoast Waterkeeper said it will threaten the health of watersheds, disrupt a key recreational and fishing area, and could be built too close to a key aquatic preserve.
“A change to our ecosystem, as proposed by this port, would significantly alter our way of life. So our economy, our environment, and also the communities that live nearby.” Abbey Tyrna told WMNF.
Tyrna is the executive director of Suncoast Waterkeeper and started a petition against the project.
“This proposal is talking about a very direct net loss of 300 acres of mangroves, which just cannot be afforded if we’re going to deliver on water quality and habitat goals for Tampa Bay in the surrounding area.” Tyrna said.
A representative for the project declined an interview and directed WMNF to the website of the proposed port, where they write that environmental stewardship is central to this project.
The proposal is still in its early stages and must go through various approvals from Manatee County.
The post Proposed Manatee County cruise port draws concerns from environmental groups appeared first on WMNF 88.5 FM.