Stop the Skyway Cruise Port!
On behalf of The Blue Urban Project, we submit this public comment in strong opposition to the proposed mega-cruise port (Knott-Cowen Cruise Port) and associated dredging south of the Sunshine Skyway Bridge. Although the project site lies within Manatee County, the receiving waters are part of the shared Tampa Bay estuary. What happens in the lower bay will directly affect water quality, habitat, fisheries, and coastal resilience across the wider bay system, including Pinellas County communities where our organization works.
The dredging described, deepening waters from approximately 13 feet to roughly 40+ feet over a substantial stretch, would fundamentally convert shallow estuarine habitat into an industrial navigation corridor. The scientific and agency literature is clear: dredging drives severe, often long-lasting ecological impacts through habitat removal, turbidity, sedimentation, and contaminant resuspension.
Through Our Friends at Suncoast Waterkeeper We Encourage You to Sign the Petition
voice your opposition
When emailing your concerns we ask that you please do it in a respectful manner.
- Manatee County Commissioners
- Manatee County Environmental Planning Section (Email: [email protected])
- Manatee County Planning Commission
- FDEP (Email: [email protected])
from suncoast waterkeeper
The Claims v. The Impact
Supporting local jobs?
SSA Marine claims that the building of this port would add 31,000 local jobs, but this ignores the economic fallout for restaurants, waterfront businesses, homeowners, fishing professionals, and recreational guides. These local entrepreneurs who rely on a healthy bay would suffer devastating losses if this port is built.
Strengthening the region?
Manatee County generates billions annually through tourism, fishing and boating. Building a massive industrial terminal in a key recreational and fishing area would disrupt these industries, stress aging stormwater and wastewater infrastructure, and degrade surrounding lands. Coastal wetlands alone can provide up to $23 billion in coastline protection services. All of these elements that support our region today would be severely compromised with the introduction and operation of this terminal.
Preserving the region’s unique ecology?
Terra Ceia Aquatic Preserve is considered one of the most environmentally sensitive, home to seagrass beds, wetlands, and vital wildlife habitat. Though SSA Marine touts the preservation of Rattlesnake Key as a token of their “commitment to environmental stewardship”, Rattlesnake Key is simply not enough to account for the disastrous impacts of industrial development that would ripple across the entire watershed.
Reflecting the values of West Central Florida?
The beauty and bliss of West Central Florida lies in our natural, wild landscapes. We who live in and love West Central Florida know that clean water defines our way of life. This terminal would be a blaring contradiction to the values and lifestyle we cherish.
In 2020, the Tampa Bay Estuary Program performed a study and released a detailed Habitat Master Plan Update which showed that to deliver on water quality and habitat goals in Tampa Bay, there could be no net loss of mangroves. This assessment included all proposed development tracts. This business proposition is a NET LOSS to the environment, to our water quality, and to our LOCAL economy.
