The primary purpose of this final workshop meeting/workshop was to give County Staff an opportunity to make their final arguments to the County Commission members. Their goal was to justify their recommendations for the plan update. We citizens also had…

The following is my address to the BOCC for this final meeting… Good morning – my name is Jack Coletti and this is my colleague, Eilia Coletti. Eilia has been camping on Shell Key since she was 1 year old…

Congratulations to the Audubon Society for their hard work in acquiring”Bird Island” near Coffeepot as Pinellas County’s newest nature preserve. Here is the story.

  For those of you who have not heard, the County was prepared to cut funding for the LIMA unit (the Sheriffs officers who patrol Shell Key and other environmentally sensitive areas) due to 2008 budget constraints. Funding would have…

The 4th meeting of the Shell Key Advisory Committee was a lively event designed to give the general public and advisory committee members a final chance to provide input for the 2007 Plan update. Commissioner Ronnie Duncan chaired the meeting…

We are currently reviewing the recently released draft version of the 2007 Management Plan update. Major change include camping restrictions, alcohol and pet bans. See the full draft plan here.

After hearing the reports of a Shell Key wildfire on Thursday morning, we went to the area to investigate. There was no fire or smoke on the island. There was evidence that a small fire has occurred and caused a small patch…

We received a call from county personnel to inform us that the county is currently working on a plan to allow camping by license on Shell Key. Our contact did not wish to elaborate on the plan until it has…

We went out on Saturday and canvassed the island with garbage bags in hand. We thought it would be a good idea to do a cleanup while the crowds were still on the island so they would be inspired to do he…

Campfires are currently prohibited on Shell Key due to drought conditions. Law enforcement is issuing $88 fines for violators. We will keep you posted on this issue. Presumably, the prohibition will be lifted once the summer rains finally arrive. New…