Residents urge Port St. Joe to challenge proposed test drilling in Apalachicola Bay

Deborah Mays, representing the Gulf County Citizens Coalition for a Healthy (as stated in the record), told the Port St. Joe City Commission on May 7 that Clearwater plans test drilling in Apalachicola Bay and that the Florida Department of Environmental Protection had issued an intent‑to‑permit. Mays said the company proposes to drill to about 1,400 feet, potentially through the aquifer that connects to the city's freshwater intake, and that downstream communities have a limited time to file administrative challenges after public notice is published in the Calhoun County newspaper.

"They're the name of the company is Clearwater. They wanna go down 1,400 feet, which is further than any company has tried before, through the aquifer," Mays said. She urged the commission to act quickly, noting stakeholders have about three weeks from the public notice to file an administrative challenge or submit a letter of concern or opposition.

City officials responded that they were not yet able to find the public notice on the Calhoun County website and that staff would research the posting timeline and the legal steps necessary to file a challenge. The mayor instructed staff to put the item on the next meeting agenda so the commission could decide whether to file a letter of concern or a formal administrative challenge.

Why it matters: Speakers warned the proposed test drilling could cross an aquifer that feeds into Port St. Joe's water system and that the administrative‑challenge window after public notice is short. Commissioners directed staff to investigate the notice timeline and next legal steps.

What happens next: Staff will research the permit notice, confirm whether the city qualifies as an affected party, and bring the item back for commission direction at the next meeting. The transcript records strong public concern and a request for letters to state officials including Senator Simon.