Letters to the Editor: Crime Pays Big in Levy County
October 5th, 2006

Letters to the Editor: Letter About Taxes
October 2nd, 2006

Letters to the Editor: Another Tax Letter
October 2nd, 2006

Letters to the Editor: Skyrocketing Property Taxes
September 6th, 2006

Letters to the Editor: Another Letter to the Editor
September 2nd, 2006

Letters to the Editor: Letter to the Editor
September 1st, 2006

Letters to the Editor: Letter of Gratitude
August 18th, 2006

Letters to the Editor: Letter from Hawaii
August 3rd, 2006

Letters to the Editor: Thankful For Cedar Key`s Honest, Good, Caring People
July 28th, 2006

Letters to the Editor: Letter to the Editor
July 5th, 2006

Letters to the Editor: Answer to Mosquitoes: Integrated Management
June 2nd, 2006

Letters to the Editor: Letter to the Voters
April 30th, 2006

Letters to the Editor: Letter to the Chief
April 28th, 2006

Letters to the Editor: Letter to the Editor April 25
April 26th, 2006

Letters to the Editor: Enforce Noise Laws
April 18th, 2006

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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