MANATEE COUNTY – State and local lawmakers reacted to the proposed development of a cruise ship terminal in northwest Manatee County on the Knott-Cowen tract of land located north of Rattlesnake Key and seaward of the Sunshine Skyway Bridge.
The proposed cruise port, a collaboration between cruise ship terminal operator SSA Marine and Tampa-based Slip Knott LLC, was recently announced on the knottcowencruise. com website.
On Friday, Jan. 23, State Rep. Will Robinson expressed his opposition in a message he posted shared at his personal Facebook page.
“I cannot think of a worse place to put a cruise ship terminal. I’ve tried to build a legacy with my family with the Robinson Preserve on environmental protection and keeping things pristine for future generations. We are at a point now where there is a proposal that would disrupt that,” he wrote.
“To me, this area is in no shape or measure compatible with cruise ships, so economic benefits don’t matter if they’re not compatible. It would permanently change the character of that area to our region’s detriment,” Robinson stated.
SEAPORT MANATEE
On Jan. 23, Florida Senate President Jim Boyd shared on his Facebook page a statement from the Manatee County Legislative Delegation about House Bill 4073 – legislation that pertains to Manatee County’s governance of SeaPort Manatee. That bill, sponsored by Rep. Bill Conerly, sought to restructure the Manatee County Port Authority into an independent district.
Since it opened as Port Manatee on county-owned land in 1970, Port Manatee (now SeaPort Manatee) has primarily been utilized by cargo ships. But Regal Cruises did sail from the cruise terminal’s Berth 9 from 1993 to 2003, according to the SeaPort Manatee website.
“We support the conversation of an independent board to govern and advance a long-term vision for SeaPort Manatee. Under the leadership of experienced, business-focused and community-minded board members, Seaport Manatee will be better positioned to modernize, compete and reach its full potential as an enterprise while prioritizing environmental stewardship and maintaining public accountability. We believe that the filed HB 4073 was well-intentioned. During the Manatee County Delegation hearing, we requested that the public reach out to us with their concerns as the bill progressed through the legislative process. Many of you have contacted our offices, and we appreciate your input,” the delegation’s statement says.
“The proposed cruise terminal on Rattlesnake Key has understandably created public angst. While HB 4073 has no direct relationship to a cruise terminal, there are concerns about proposed changes to control and jurisdiction at this critical time. Therefore, we believe it is prudent to pause and withdraw the local bill from further consideration this legislative session and allow for continued dialogue with all stakeholders.”
The delegation stated its goal is to protect the coastal lands along Tampa Bay.
“It is also important to set the record straight on Rattlesnake Key. The island and surrounding wetlands are some of the last remaining undeveloped coastal lands in Tampa Bay and it was our goal to protect them,” the delegation’s statement said.
The delegation’s statement notes there were previous attempts made to purchase the property for conservation.
“In 2022, we successfully secured $23 million in state funding to purchase the property for conservation. Unfortunately, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) did not approve the purchase based on the FDEP appraisal,” the delegation’s statement says.
“In 2024, we again secured approximately $8 million, with the county prepared to contribute additional funds, but negotiations fell apart when the property owner believed the land was worth more. The property has since been sold to a private entity, which is now pursuing a cruise terminal,” the statement says.
“There will be no commercial development or construction on Rattlesnake Key. The intended purpose of the acquisition is to protect its wetlands, wildlife habitat and the natural character of the property in perpetuity,” the Knott-Cowen Cruise website says of the property owned by its subsidiary entity, Rattlesnake Key Preservation Company LLC
MORE REACTION
Holmes Beach resident and charter fishing captain Scott Moore said, “We need Manatee County to buy that Rattlesnake Key property and the Knott-Cowen property too. And the other counties, Hillsborough and Pinellas, need to help because they use that land and that estuary too. We also need the state to help, and we need to revisit this.”
Manatee County Commission Chair Tal Siddique represents District 3, which includes Anna Maria Island. He’s now gathering information from environmental groups about the potential impact of a cruise port.
“I’ve reached out to both Sarasota Bay Estuary Program and Tampa Bay Estuary Program to get some data-driven input on what the environmental impact could be. There will be environmental impact,” Siddique said.
He said his position is “neutral” on the proposed cruise ship port.
“Right now, it’s just in the pre-application stages,” he said.
Siddique characterized the economic benefit of the port as “incalculable.”
“I know in my district, many businesses are struggling,” he said.
Siddique also addressed the withdrawal of HB 4073.
“I’m on the board of Port Manatee and I want to stress, this (proposed cruise port) is distinct from that bill (HB 4073),” Siddique said.
As of Jan. 27, a change.org petition, “Stop the Proposed Cruise Ship Port,” had gathered more than 12,000 signatures.
