FLORIDA KEYS 



The Florida Keys extend about 130 miles from the southern tip of the 

 Florida mainland to Key West. There are 97 small low-lying islands in the 

 chain. Key Largo is the largest, over 72 km (45 mi) long, and Key West is the 

 best known. Thirty-five of the islands are connected by U.S. Hwy. 1 from Key 

 Largo to Key West. 



Factors that led to multiple-use conflicts in the Keys were a rapid popu- 

 lation increase, a limited supply of public services, especially fresh water, 

 intense and divergent land-use demands, historical preservation, a potential 

 for oil and gas exploration and development, and a vulnerable natural envi- 

 ronment. The Keys are the home of many unusual animal species and plant 

 communities. The living coral reefs are a unique and valuable feature. 



Before completion of the Overseas Railroad (now U.S. Hwy. 1) in 1913, 

 nearly all of the intensive land use in the Keys was concentrated around Key 

 West. The railroad, followed by the Overseas Highway and Navy pipeline, stim- 

 ulated development throughout the Keys. In 1974, much of the developed land 

 was either single family residential, or under site preparation and construc- 

 tion (Table 1). 



The population of Monroe County, which includes the Keys, rose from 

 47,921 in 1960 to 52,586 in 1970 and to 61,562 in 1980. Population projections 

 for Monroe County are reported in the chapter on population and demographic 

 characteristics. Key West's population in 1960-80, however, showed little 

 increase. Its population was 26,433 in 1950, 33,965 in 1960, 29,312 in 1970, 

 and 30,252 in 1980. These fluctuations were a result of a change in the num- 

 ber of military personnel stationed near Key West. The population is much 

 higher during the tourist season. For example, the tourist and resident popu- 

 lation combined was approximately 80,000 in Key West in March 1974 (Florida 

 Department of Administration 1974). 



Economic Factors 



The major sources of income in the Keys are tourism, commercial and sport 

 fishing, residental construction (including second homes and retirement 

 homes), and the military. Approximately 550,000 out-of-state tourists and 

 400,000 Floridians living outside Monroe County visited the Keys in 1972. 

 (See the chapter on Recreation and Tourism for additional tourist informa- 

 tion.) The gross income generated by tourists in 1972 ranged from 100 million 

 and 150 million dollars (Florida Department of Administration 1974). 



Various factors contributed to the economy of the Keys. The largest 

 single element of the Monroe County economy is military. In 1972 the Key West 

 Naval Air Station provided 29% of all employment and 36% of all personal 

 income in Monroe County. Its impact on Key West is even greater (Table 2). 



The construction of second homes and retirement homes have contributed 

 substantially to the economy of the Keys. In 1970, about 28% of the house- 

 holds were temporary winter residences. The influx of retired people increased 

 the population and demand for residences. About 13.3% of the County's popula- 

 tion was 60 years old or older. The Florida Department of Commerce reports 



235 



