By Patricia Lee, Owner Destinites.com
As most of us know, the National Park Service (NPS) has jurisdiction over Crab Island as part of the Gulf Islands National Seashore. They are developing a Commercial Services Strategy and Environmental Assessment. The plans have potential to change how vendors operate and what services or products would be allowed.
Destin Mayor, Bobby Wagner, has expressed his concern over the implementation of the proposed changes. He stated the plans could be “detrimental” to the vendors and there could be safety risks to the visitors. Relocating the space for the vendors would force the visitors into an area with deeper waters and where the currents could be worse, thus, causing more drownings.
The mayor’s other concern is that 88 independent vendors could be replaced by a single concessionaire contract. This would hurt the diversity of businesses currently enjoyed on the island. He feels the current family-operated businesses are important, because they not only bring uniqueness, but also the owners who know the area best. These local vendors definitely add to the Crab Island charm.
Local vendors are worried about their livelihood if the current plans go through. Mayor Wagner said via a WEAR TV interview, “The whole industry has tried to come together as best they can to try and regulate what’s best for guests and businesses. So, now that they’re working together, big government is coming in telling us they have a better plan for us.” Mayor Wagner has made it clear that he does not want to give up regional control to the federal government. He doesn’t want locals to lose their voice or freedoms in local matters.
This is what one of our Destinites Facebook group members had to say after reading an interview with NPS on www.getthecoast.com. “I think this shares an important perspective with an interview from the NPS. It’s clear they have been communicating with local government for several years about their plans, but it’s been presented as if this is a new plan and it seems based on this interview that that is untrue. It remains a very heated issue, but Crab Island has been part of the NPS since the 70s. I would like to see a follow-up article regarding the environmental impact the commercialization of Crab Island has had on the ecosystem in that area of the Bay. The sea grass in that area has all but been destroyed and that can have far reaching ramifications for everything from fisheries to erosion of channels during storms, I would infer.”
It remains to be seen what will happen with this situation. Congressman Matt Gaetz has also expressed his concerns about the safety and other issues, should the current plan be implemented. The NPS states that they plan to work with local vendors and officials on a strategy. There will be a 30-day public comment period, and that, probably, will include a public meeting to divulge the details.
If you care about what takes place at Crab Island and want your voice heard, please keep up with the progress of this situation at www.cityofdestin.com. Write letters and attend council meetings.
If you are a Destin resident or in the close surrounding area, I invite you to join our private group at www.Facebook.com/groups/Destinites with more than 8,500 members (Est. Oct. 2018). Check out our monthly newsletter and sponsored local business directory at www.Destinites.com.
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