Oyster farmers invite DeSantis to sign bipartisan 'Kill the Drill' bill in Apalachicola
Gov. Ron DeSantis has been asked to sign a proposed ban on oil and gas drilling near the Apalachicola River and Bay alongside local business owners and elected officials.
Oyster farmers are inviting the governor to sign a proposed ban on oil and gas drilling near the Apalachicola River and Bay at a local seafood restaurant.
Earlier this week, the Florida Shellfish and Aquaculture Association sent a letter to Gov. Ron DeSantis asking him to join local elected officials, oyster farmers, fishermen and other local business owners at a signing ceremony in Apalachicola after the bill reaches his desk.
“It would afford us the opportunity to formally recognize your dedication to the economic wellbeing of the Forgotten Coast and the preservation of our way of life,” wrote Adrianne Johnson, the association’s executive director, in a letter that was sent on Monday.
The measure — HB 1143 — would ban drilling for exploratory and extraction purposes within 10 miles of the Apalachicola National Estuarine Research Reserve, which covers 52 river miles and the entire bay.
The legislation doesn’t specifically name the Apalachicola reserve, but instead protects rural, cash-strapped counties located within 10 miles of any “national estuarine research reserve.”
Right now, every county within 10 miles of the Apalachicola reserve — Franklin, Gulf and Calhoun Counties — are “designated as rural areas of opportunity.”
That designation is for counties that have no more than 125,000 residents and have certain indicators of “economic distress,” such as high unemployment or underemployment, high levels of poverty, limited year-round job opportunities and low per-capita taxable values.
After the legislation is sent to the governor, he has seven days to take action on it if lawmakers are still in session. If it’s sent to his office before they adjourn, then he would have 15 days to sign or veto the measure.
DeSantis’ office hasn’t said which action he’ll take. But the bill’s primary sponsor state Rep. Jason Shoaf (R-Port St. Joe) told The Panhandle Press in a text message that he’s “confident” it has the governor’s support.
“I’m confident Governor DeSantis will continue to lead in protecting our environment and that he will sign this bill to protect Apalachicola Bay from the threat of future oil spills.”
DeSantis has backed increased funding to restore Apalachicola Bay’s oyster habitat and improve water quality.
Several local elected officials who support the legislation are listed in the invitation to the signing ceremony, including Franklin County Sheriff AJ Tony Smith, County Commissioner Ottice Amison, Apalachicola City Commissioner Anita Grove and Mayor of Port St. Joe Rex Buzzett.
Others who plan to attend the proposed event include: Captain TJ Saunders, owner of LuckyFly Charters and Florida Guides Association Big Bend Regional Director; Jeff Wren, owner of Rattlesnake Cove Oyster Co. and Guy Harvey Foundation CEO Steve Roden.
The ceremony would likely take place at the Half Shell Dockside, located at 301 Market Street in Apalachicola.
Urging the governor to accept their invitation, the letter states: “Nothing would give us greater pleasure than to celebrate, with you, the protection of the years-long investment the state of Florida has made under your governorship in the future of the Apalachicola Bay, its cultural heritage, and the working men and women who depend upon it for their livelihoods.”