Coral City Camera fans, we need your help! Coral City is slated to be turned into a cruise ship docking berth if the permit is approved by the Army Corps of Engineers (at the federal level) and Florida Department of Environmental Protection. We still have time to submit our comment against this development. Please feel free to write your own (polite) letter, or copy and paste what we’ve prepared below to BOTH of the recipients below

(Megan Clouser) Megan.L.Clouser@usace.army.mil

AND

(Zach Boudreau) William.Boudreau@FloridaDEP.gov 

This is an urgent matter because we are beyond the 30 day public comment window, but they are graciously still allowing us to submit comments since a determination on the permit approval has not yet been made by the Army Corps or Florida DEP! Please be polite to them, they are our best hope to stop or delay this project!

Thanks!

Colin, J.D, Glenn, LG, Kat Mowle, Cbugurl and everyone that loves the Coral City Camera!

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{Name

Address

Date}

Dear Megan (for Army Corps)/Zach(For Florida DEP),

I am writing to you to express my concern and opposition regarding the development of Berth 10 at PortMiami on the northeastern tip of Dodge Island in Miami-Dade County.

I am an avid watcher of the Coral City Camera (www.coralcitycamera.com), an underwater camera that has been streaming publicly since February 6, 2020. It has just come to my attention that PortMiami’s plan for the addition of Berth 10 will directly develop the location of this Camera, and remove what is clearly a thriving coral reef ecosystem. By watching the CCC, I have been amazed to learn that more than 125 species of fish, numerous reef invertebrates, federally-protected corals such as Orbicella sp., and manatees make their home here. Many charismatic fish such as ‘Oval’ the tailless doctorfish are truly ‘residents’ of Coral City and not just passing transients. Removal of the heavily colonized riprap habitat to be replaced by a seawall bulkhead for more cruise ships does not seem prudent given the uncertainties of the cruise line industry post-COVID19.

The Coral City Camera has provided me, along with people from around the world, with a wonderful source of nature, education, and community during the past 6 months of social distancing and quarantine. During a time when fish kills in North Biscayne Bay have been making media headlines, it is more important than ever to celebrate and protect the biodiversity that has naturally colonized this riprap shoreline along the northeast end of PortMiami. Please consider delaying the issuance of this permit until it is clear that commercial viability for additional cruise ship berths is warranted, and when a better plan for relocation of the corals and marinelife at the site can be developed.

Thanks for your consideration,

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