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State Approves Tougher Rules For Use Of Shell Island

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By CARLOS MONCADA | The Tampa Tribune

Published: December 27, 2007

CLEARWATER - The state has given its blessing to Pinellas County's new management plan for Shell Key, which bans dogs and alcohol and restricts overnight camping at the popular Bay area boating destination.

An arm of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection unanimously approved the plan this month, county officials said. The plan aims to protect nesting shore birds and the fragile ecology of the undeveloped barrier island off the southern tip of Florida's most densely developed county.

The plan takes effect immediately, but county officials say there will be a grace period of about two months before they actually begin enforcing the regulations. The county plans to put up signs on the preserve's boundary informing boaters about the new rules, which also will be publicized through brochures and mailings.

The rules prohibit dogs at all times, as recommended by the state. Since 2002, the island has been closed to pets only during the annual bird nesting season, April 15 through June 15. Possession of alcohol also is banned anywhere within the preserve, including the 2.6-mile-long barrier island and surrounding waters.

Camping on the island now will require a permit and is restricted to certain areas.

Boaters who frequent Shell Key, which attracts thousands of people annually, have criticized the rules as unnecessary and argued that more stringent enforcement of existing rules would have resolved problems.

But county environmental staff and the Audubon Society of Florida said the restrictions were needed to protect nesting shore birds and to keep people and pets from leaving trash and excrement on the ecologically fragile island.

Reporter Carlos Moncada can be reached at (727) 451-2333 or cmoncada@tampatrib.com.

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