Monroe County Council Unanimously Urges BOEM to Block Florida Offshore Drilling

Monroe County’s governing board took a unanimous stand on Jan. 13, passing a resolution that urges the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) to exclude new offshore oil and gas leases off the Florida coast. Council members framed the action as a defense of the Keys’ coastal economy and fragile marine ecosystems, voting 5-0 to oppose further offshore drilling near the state.

The resolution asks BOEM to prioritize protection of coastal economies and ecosystems by excluding new oil and gas leasing in federal waters off Florida. “It was refreshing to see the Council and the public in full agreement about the importance of taking a stand by telling the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) to prioritize the protection of coastal economies and ecosystems by excluding new offshore oil and gas leases off the Florida coast. The resolution passed opposing the offshore oil drilling with a unanimous 5-0 vote!” the council noted in its statement.

For Monroe County residents, the vote carries immediate symbolic weight. The Keys’ economy depends heavily on tourism, recreational and commercial fishing, and dive and charter industries that rely on clear water, healthy coral reefs and abundant marine life. Local leaders say even the prospect of new lease sales can increase the risk of industrial activity, shipment traffic and potential spills that would threaten beaches, reefs and the hospitality businesses that line the Overseas Highway.

The county’s resolution adds a local voice to broader state and municipal opposition aimed at influencing BOEM’s federal planning process. BOEM sets the agenda for offshore lease sales and environmental review, and it accepts input from states, local governments and the public when shaping its leasing programs. While a county resolution cannot directly change federal policy, it formalizes Monroe County’s position and signals the economic and environmental stakes for the Lower Keys and wider Florida reef tract.

Environmental groups and business owners in Monroe County have frequently emphasized the interdependence of healthy ecosystems and tourism revenue, framing reef protection as an economic necessity as much as an environmental priority. County officials framed their objection in those terms, highlighting the risk to jobs and to the natural assets that distinguish the Keys.

What comes next is continued attention to BOEM’s federal schedule and any opportunities for public comment during planning and environmental review. For residents and businesses in Monroe County, the resolution represents a clear position by local government and a call to federal decision-makers to factor in the unique value of the Keys’ waters before moving forward with new offshore leasing.