spoke in support of a core area where only non-consumptive uses would be 

 permitted. The majority of those testifying spoke of the importance of the 

 reef, although there was disagreement as to the best way of protecting its 

 unique and significant value for future generations. Most emphasized that 

 effective coral protection depended upon the onsite presence of enforcement 

 personnel . 



Following the workshop, the South Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico Regional 

 Fishery Management Councils requested that NOAA delay further steps until 

 the Councils' coral reef study was completed. NOAA agreed to the delay. 

 Upon later recommendations of the Councils, NOAA resumed the evaluation of 

 Looe Key as a Marine Sanctuary candidate. To determine the desirability 

 and feasibility of proceeding with the designation, NOAA began preparation 

 of a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) on October 1, 1979. 



In October 1979, NOAA printed a Notice of Intent to Prepare an Environ- 

 mental Impact Statement in the Federal Register and held a scoping meeting 

 on the proposal. NOAA gathered and analyzed information and consulted 

 with other Federal agencies. State agencies, the Gulf of Mexico (GMFMC) 

 and South Atlantic Regional Fishery Management Councils (SAFMC), and local 

 interest groups. 



In May 1980, NOAA issued proposed regulations and the DEIS for public 

 review. NOAA held public hearings on the DEIS in Miami, June 17, and in 

 Key West and Big Pine Key, June 18. The comment period on the DEIS ended 

 July 15 and the comment period on the regulations, July 21. Reaction to the 

 proposed sanctuary has been mixed. In general many local residents, mostly 

 fishermen, opposed the designation; while regional, state, and national civic 

 and environmental organizations, including the State of Florida, support the 

 designation. 



At the public hearings, the majority of those testifying spoke against 

 the proposal. At all three hearings a number of individuals and environmen- 

 tal and civic organizations, such as the Marine Wilderness Society, Tropical 

 Audubon, the Sierra Club, and National Audubon supported the designation. 

 Members of OFF and a number of individual fishermen and private citizens 

 spoke in opposition. At the Big Pine Key hearing members of OFF presented 

 NOAA with a petition of over 500 names opposing the proposal. Other organi- 

 zations such as Newfound Harbor Marine Institute, the Lower Keys Chamber of 

 Commerce, and the Big Pine Key Civic Association supported a smaller (1 sq 

 nm) sanctuary (for a detailed summary of the public hearings see Appendix E). 



Over 100 written comments were received in response to the DEIS. In con- 

 trast to the reaction at the public hearings, the written comments were 

 overwhelmingly in support of the NOAA proposal. Approximately 82 comments 

 were received representing membership in national, regional and local 

 conservation organizations, civic groups, recreational diving associations, 

 boating groups, and including Federal agencies and individuals. These 

 commentors either supported the proposal, or suggested an enlarged boundary 

 and/or more restrictive regulations. Approximately 10 written comments 

 were received that advocated a smaller area or opposed the proposal (see 

 Appendix E for a compilation of letters and NOAA responses). 



