After the state reviews the report and determines its future involvement with the Sanctuary, a full-fledged federal review and update of the final management plan will begin. To ensure continuity through the state review process, the Sanctuary has asked current SAC members to serve through July 2002. Sanctuary staff anticipate that these seats will be filled by the current alternates. Monroe County Mayor George Neugent unanimously won reelection as chair, and Fran Decker, who holds the Middle Keys citizen at large seat, will serve as vice-chair. The SAC also heard from Dr. Sydney Bacchus, who expressed her concerns about the effects of wastewater injection wells on the health of the coral reef.
Sanctuary staff plan a special meeting to fully discuss the issue with a panel of experts.
They also serve as liaisons to the community regarding Sanctuary issues. The Council acts as a conduit, relaying the community's interests, concerns, and management needs to the Sanctuary. The Sanctuary was established in 1990 in recognition of the special resources found in and around the waters of the Florida Keys. NOAA and the State of Florida jointly developed a comprehensive plan to protect and manage Sanctuary resources.