Issue in Depth: Water Quality -- The Keys are in our hands

Phosphate Ban
REEF RELIEF provided the County Commission with an ordinance limiting the use of phosphate-laden
cleaning products. It was unanimously passed and went into effect throughout the Florida Keys on October
19, 1991. Prior to passage, more than three dozen Keys hoteliers voluntarily converted to no-phosphate
cleaning products under our guidance. We are currently monitoring enforcement of the ban.

It is now the law that phosphate-laden detergents may not be sold in this country. Nutrients such as
phosphate promote algal blooms, which reduce water clarity resulting in the "greening of canals and
near shore waters. At the reef, such nuisance algae compete successfully with corals for habitat.

10 Year Ban On Offshore Oil In The Keys
Several years ago, the U.S. Department of the Interior leased 73 tracts to 9 oil companies to explore and
develop offshore oil for areas as close 25 miles from Key West and the Dry Tortugas. REEF RELIEF has
worked hard to support legislative measures to provide temporary one-year moratoriums on such offshore oil
development. Our goal is permanent protection from offshore oil for Florida's fragile marine environment.
President Bush announced a ten year ban on leasing activity in this area as a result of years of pressure from
local petitions, hearings, and other efforts spearheaded by REEF RELIEF and others at the local and national
level. Drilling is banned in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary and in South Florida waters until
2002.

On June 15, 1998, President Clinton extended the current offshore oil drilling ban that expires in 2002 another
ten years, to 2012 and included a permanent end to offshore leasing in all national marine sanctuaries.

Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary
REEF RELIEF encouraged the development of a comprehensive management plan for the entire reef of the
Florida Keys. We supported legislation to create the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary by testifying
before the committees of both houses of Congress and through grassroots efforts to increase local support
for this legislation. Since passage of this important legislation, we have participated in planning efforts to
create a zoned management system for the new Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. We launched
"The Keys Are In Our Hands" water quality awareness campaign to support improved sewage treatment in
the Keys through the Water Quality Protection Program of the Sanctuary.

When the Sanctuary submitted its Draft Management Plan, we issued recommendations that would make it
do the job of saving the reef. Among other things, we were alarmed that none of the monies budgeted were
to go into direct actions to improve water quality, no educational patrols were planned for the reef and no
educational efforts were underway. We sent out an "Action Alert" that advised members about the plan and
our position. We publicized our view-point in the papers and on the radio. We urged everyone to attend the
public hearings about the plan and forwarded letters of approval of our position from the public to
congressmen, senators, the Sanctuary, the EPA and to NOAA. We will continue to monitor the sanctuary as
it develops. It is essential to the coral reef that the sanctuary puts forth strong, effective programs that will
protect and save this invaluable eco-system for all time.

Other Issues
REEF RELIEF approached the state in 1996 and succeeded in upgrading the rules governing what can be
pumped into shallow injection wells in the Keys. The new rule states that all sewage effluent in the Keys
pumped into Class 5 wells must "meet or exceed state standards for Outstanding Florida Waters."

We have actively opposed the use of fish traps, collection of live rock, and sport lobster weekend. We
support setting a ban on fish collecting. Current limits rob the coral reef of its breeder fish and its
bio-diversity. We support the immediate need to upgrade waste treatment facilities in the Keys, to upgrade
illegal cesspits, leaky septic tanks, and to remove nutrients from the Key West Sewage Treatment Plant.

Coral Reef Coalition
REEF RELIEF was a founder and the first Keys coordinator of the Coral Reef Coalition, a loose affiliation
of over one hundred conservationists, activists, and organizations dedicated "To secure comprehensive lasting
preservation of the biological diversity and productivity of Florida's coral reef eco-system and wise use of its
resources."

REEF RELIEF was one of the sponsors and organizers of the First Coral Reef Coalition Conference held
March 19-22, 1992 in Key West. The event focused on grassroots recommendations for the comprehensive
management plan of the new Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. The final panel discussion, co-hosted
by REEF RELIEF featured representatives of NOAA, the EPA, the Florida governor's office, the Monroe
County Commission, the scientific community, and the conservation community. It was aired on local radio
and videoed and provided specific recommendations for adoption of the new sanctuary management plan.
The final report is available through REEF RELIEF.

Blueprint For Action Seminar
In February, 1990, REEF RELIEF co-hosted a seminar along with the Monroe County State Attorney's
Office, entitled "Blueprint for Action". Forty experts representing regulatory agencies, conservation groups,
elected officials, and user groups collaborated to develop a policy aimed at preventing freighter groundings on
the reef. The final report is available through REEF RELIEF.

Hospitality Industry Symposium
A symposium for the hospitality industry was held in February, 1991, in cooperation with the Cheeca Lodge
in Islamorada. The event featured speakers, a mini-trade show and panel discussions that covered a wide
range of subjects from water conservation and xeriscaping to energy conservation, recycling, recycled paper
products, and water sport activities. Over 90 hoteliers participated and learned how to make their operations
environmentally friendly. A booklet is available (see Printed Educational Materials) on the subject entitled
"Creating the Resort of the Future." A copy of the final report is available through REEF RELIEF.