Port St. Joe commission agrees to send letter opposing oil exploration in Apalachicola River Basin

The Port St. Joe City Commission on May 21 approved drafting and sending a letter expressing the city's opposition to proposed oil exploration in the Apalachicola River Basin.

Staff presented the draft letter discussed at a previous meeting and said the commission’s input was requested. A community organizer who addressed the commission said the city’s letter would count even if submitted after the public‑comment deadline and said local groups and neighboring counties are pursuing extensions and legal challenges. “Your letter will give ammunition,” the organizer told the board.

Commissioners approved preparing a strong opposition letter and asked staff to coordinate with the correct county contacts to ensure the letter reaches the appropriate recipients. One commissioner said the city would likely not have staff resources to mount a legal challenge itself but would offer a formal statement of opposition.

What happens next: Staff will prepare and route the final letter to the designated agency contacts and notify commissioners when it has been submitted.