Letters to the Editor: THANK YOU AND GOD BLESS CEDAR KEY PATRIOTIC VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPT.
July 5th, 2012

Letters to the Editor: Letter To Editor
May 17th, 2012

Letters to the Editor: To the voters and citizens of Cedar Key
May 14th, 2012

Letters to the Editor: Thanks To Mandy
May 4th, 2012

Letters to the Editor: Sidewalks & Trash
April 26th, 2012

Letters to the Editor: Response To The Chamber
April 25th, 2012

Letters to the Editor: Oil Spill Claims
April 21st, 2012

Letters to the Editor: RE: Statement in Advertisement
April 20th, 2012

Letters to the Editor: STAND YOUR GROUND
April 13th, 2012

Letters to the Editor: An Ounce of Prevention, is worth…..
April 9th, 2012

Letters to the Editor: Systemic Pesticide
March 18th, 2012

Letters to the Editor: After TNR - What next?
March 10th, 2012

Letters to the Editor: Letter To Editor - Halloween Resolution
February 24th, 2012

Letters to the Editor: Presidential Politics in the New South
January 17th, 2012

Letters to the Editor: Letter To Editor - Cedar Key Oysters
January 9th, 2012

Letter to the Editor

Mike Hodges

Thu, Jul 4th 2013 Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor,

I am writing this letter in regards to the Clam Lease Expansion Proposed by the Department of Aquaculture and Consumer Services (DACS).

Last week DACS decided to shelve the High Density Portion of The Proposed Clam Lease Expansion, we unanimously applaud this decision, however, we still have grave concerns about DACS allowing Lease Applications to be submitted for 5 acres per person. If the first of these applications are approved it will open PANDORA`S BOX, and set a precedence for all other applications which could tally into the hundreds.

Approximately 15 years ago, we had a similar situation with the Pelican Reef Expansion, many of the lease applicant`s had no intention of planting clams, selling their leases to make a quick profit. It was like an old fashioned land grab. After that, DACS stopped accepting lease applications. During that time the clam market could absorbed the added production, clam prices were double what they are today. Making the same mistake now, with the shape we are in, would be disastrous. We have been over producing for some time now, causing prices to plummet. More clam leases means more clams. What we need now is a marketing plan.

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