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Introduction
Land use planning and management decisions for the Shell Key Preserve are based on the
dual goals of preserving natural Florida and providing opportunities for public use of the
island.
The general planning and design process begins with an analysis of the
natural resources of the preserve and then proceeds through the creation of a conceptual
land use plan to provide for public uses. Input to the plan is provided by experts in
environmental sciences, cultural resources, environmental lands management and operation
as well as representatives from affected industries, environmental and user groups. In
this case, a committee was established (see Addendum 3) in
order to assist with the drafting of a management plan. With this approach, the objective
is to provide a high quality plan that allows for resource-based public uses with a high
level of sensitivity to the management of natural resources on and around Shell Key.
Public Use Description and Assessment
Effective planning requires a thorough understanding of the
preserve’s natural and cultural resources as well as its uses. Past and present uses
are assessed for their effects on the property and compatibility with the natural resource
elements of this plan. Shell Key currently contains approximately 3 miles of natural sandy
beach along it’s outer fringes and points. In addition, there are narrower fringes of
beaches scattered on the leeward side of the island. The island is completely undeveloped
and consequently has a high scenic value as well. It has become an extremely popular
boating destination and receives considerable visitation, especially on weekends and
holidays.
The major human activities at Shell Key are associated with the natural
sandy beaches and include swimming, sunbathing, shelling, picnicking, etc. Boating and
fishing are popular activities in the waters around Shell Key. Most vessels anchor along
the northern tip of the island, however, some boats also anchor on the southern tip and on
the eastern side of the island where there is wave protection. Very few boats anchor on
the western, high-energy side of the island. Opportunities for bird watching, nature study
and ecotourism are excellent and primitive camping occurs mainly on the southern and
northern tips of Shell Key. A number of shuttles and charter boats bring visitors to Shell
Key. Parties are also held on the island and several local businesses (such as hotels and
restaurants) also bring out groups. Other activities in the preserve include the use of
personal watercraft, airboats, and ultra-light seaplanes which offer short aerial tours.
Recreational and commercial fishing (especially shrimp trawling) occur in the waters east
of Shell Key.
There are no sanitary facilities on Shell Key and the only permanent
structures within the preserve house the Pinellas Marine Institute on Panama Key.
There are no known archaeological or historic features within the Shell
Key Preserve.
During the development of the management plan for the Shell Key Preserve, potential
impacts to natural resources from human uses were assessed and the compatibility of
activities with the resource component of this plan were discussed. It is the intention of
this plan to allow for and appropriately manage human uses. These should be low-impact and
must be compatible with resource management objectives. All activities also must be
compatible with appropriate local, state and Federal laws.
Public Use Goals and Actions
PUBLIC USE GOAL 1: Support Passive Public Uses Within the Shell Key
Preserve that do not Conflict with the Natural Resource Objectives of the Management Plan.
Action 1: Maintain public use areas. Recreation
is a legitimate use within the Shell Key Preserve and it will be
maintained for as long as this management plan remains in effect.
The island has traditionally been used by recreational boaters and
the surrounding waters have been used by recreational and commercial
fisherman. In depth discussions were held with representatives of
the public familiar with important wildlife areas and important
public use areas. Very little overlap was found between the two
areas and public use areas were established accordingly. Figure
8 shows those areas set aside for public use in the entire preserve,
and Figure 9 delineates the public use areas
on the island of Shell Key itself. Significant changes to these
boundaries will not be made except in the event of major changes
to the island (such as from storms), in which case the committee
will be reconvened to reevaluate the boundaries of the public use
and wildlife areas.
Action 2: Review future management decisions for impact on public uses.
All management decisions should create the minimum impact necessary on appropriate
public uses within the preserve while also meeting the resource component of this plan.
Action 3: Prohibit liveaboard vessels within the boundaries of the
Shell Key Preserve. These are defined as vessels moored within the preserve for more
than fourteen days in any 30 day period, excluding those at permitted docks. These vessels
can cause environmental damage by mooring in one place for long periods of time and can
cause sanitation problems.
Action 4: Enforce Pinellas County noise standards. In order to
provide for an enjoyable experience for all user groups and to protect nearby residential
properties from excessive noise, all activities within the preserve must comply with the
Pinellas County Code, Article XII, pertaining to noise. In addition, loud and raucous
noise is prohibited within the preserve at any time.
Action 5: Prohibit commercial activities on Shell Key. Commercial
uses on the island of Shell Key are not allowed unless permitted by a concession or other
appropriate permit obtained from Pinellas County for use specifically within the Shell Key
Preserve and consistent with the management plan.
PUBLIC USE GOAL 2: Balance Public Uses of Shell Key With Conservation
of Significant Natural Resources.
Action 1: Provide for overnight
activities on Shell Key. Since the presence of humans near
the core bird protection areas is more disruptive to birds at night
and since enforcement is more difficult after dark, all overnight
activities are limited to the southern and northern extremes of
the island. Visitors to Shell Key between the hours of sunset and
sunrise are allowed only in those areas shown on Figure
8 as "Overnight Use Areas".
Action 2: Prohibit the possession or consumption
of alcoholic beverages on Shell Key. The possession or
consumption of alcoholic beverages is prohibited on the island of
Shell Key. Alcohol use in the remainder of the preserve is subject
to existing laws governing alcohol consumption and safe boat handling.
Law enforcement agencies have indicated that most problems encountered
in managing public uses on public lands are alcohol related.
Action 3: Manage large groups visiting
Shell Key. Groups of 50 or more people visiting the island
must obtain written approval from Pinellas County. Such approval
may include specific conditions such as limiting the duration of
the event, security provisions, sanitation provisions, trash removal
or lighting restrictions to ensure that the activity is consistent
with the resource management component of this plan.
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