Revealed: Restoration Blueprint specifics for Middle Keys

One proposal is to make a ‘no motor’ zone from Vaca Cut to Tingler Island

On Sept. 30, staff from the Florida Keys National Wildlife Marine Sanctuary presented region-specific details of its Restoration Blueprint in the Marathon High School auditorium. The plan outlines the details of the management plan itself, changes to the boundary of the sanctuary, sanctuary-wide regulations and changes to marine zones and zone regulations. The sanctuary has said there are four alternatives for every spot and the first is the status quo option, or “no change.” However, in many instances the blueprint only offers two alternatives. Below are five zones in the Middle Keys that may see changes in the way they can be accessed, used, or made off limits — however, they are NOT the only proposed changes to Middle Keys waters.

Sara Matthis thinks community journalism is important, but not serious; likes weird and wonderful children (she has two); and occasionally tortures herself with sprint-distance triathlons, but only if she has a good chance of beating her sister.