As part of the selected remedy for the Passage Key Air-to-Ground Gunnery Range Formerly Used Defense Site (FUDS), the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) installed signs at two boat ramps. The 649-acre Air-to-Ground Gunnery Range is located offshore approximately one mile west of the Sunshine Skyway Bridge in Tampa Bay.
In coordination with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Manatee County, and Pinellas County, USACE identified the boat ramps where the majority of people going to the Passage Key area would launch their boats. With the counties’ permission, USACE installed signs at Kingfish Boat Ramp (Manatee County) and Fort De Soto Park (Pinellas County). The signs were placed where they would be clearly visible to those launching boats at Kingfish Boat Ramp as well as those using the pay stations and washout area at Fort De Soto boat ramps.
USACE is also mailing letters with a fact sheet and a safety poster to local businesses, such as charter boat companies for fishing, diving, and snorkeling; and marinas.
The Land Use Control Implementation Plan (LUCIP), project fact sheet, and safety poster are attached.
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the project manager, Wendell Hardwick at (904) 232-1804 or Wendell.M.Hardwick@usace.army.mil.
Click here for the site fact sheet.
For the Passage Key Air-to-Ground Gunnery Range Land Use Control Implementation Plan click here.
Original source can be found here.
