Pensacola News-Journal: Editorial -- Protect the Waters We Cherish At Gulf Islands National Seashore

We believe that the last thing most boaters and others who love the waters in and around Gulf Islands National Seashore want is to see damage done to what are some of the last remaining healthy seagrass beds in Pensacola Bay, Santa Rosa Sound and Big Lagoon.

Due to the effects of pollution and long abuse of our bays as dumping grounds for stormwater, industrial waste and effluent from wastewater treatment plants, an estimated 90 percent of the original seagrass is gone. Much effort has been put into cleaning up the water and restoring these important grasses.

The park is for people to enjoy, and must remain open to them. But that doesn't mean ignoring the fact that damage has also been done by boaters, fishermen and others who have had a tendency to "love to death" the natural resources they enjoy, whether that's sand dunes, seagrass or a variety of nearly exhausted fish species now returning under the shade of regulation, including mullet, speckled trout, red fish and snapper.

The days of everyone being allowed to do whatever they want wherever they want, without regard to protecting the very resources they want to enjoy, are long gone, if for no other reason than it tramples the rights of others who wish to enjoy them. As population continues to grow, and the number of boaters with it, it would be all too easy to destroy what we love.

More importantly, if we want our children and grandchildren to be able to enjoy the same clean water, fishing and healthy barrier islands that we have, we must protect them.

That said, we also agree with Robert Turpin, Escambia County's marine resource manager, that national seashore officials must clearly define how these shared resources will be protected. That should include public education and posted signs that clearly define where grass beds are.

Many boaters no doubt drop anchor or run too shallow in areas that they would avoid if they were aware that sensitive grass beds were just below the surface. Unfortunately, many people who enjoy the outdoors are not fully aware of the impact they can have.

So education and signs that tell them where they need to be most careful can be powerful tools to help prevent damage in the first place. We'd all rather see the grass beds remain healthy, rather than have to be closed and nursed back to health.

We understand the fears of boaters worried that areas long used for camping, boating, swimming and fishing could be closed to them. We also believe that the vast majority of them understand the importance of protecting these resources, and will work with the seashore to do that.