Editor, Gazette-Journal:

J&W Seafood has petitioned VMRC to place 700 floating oyster cages with 1,400 black floats in Milford Haven. Your readers have seen numerous photos around the county and quite frankly, they are an eyesore. J&W in its application has asked for use of 5.5 acres of the Haven for the initial project, but they have another adjacent 13 acres which may be developed later.

If VMRC approves this request, then the precedent will have been set; any oyster lease holder can place the same floating cages in any suitable waters around Mathews and Gloucester counties. The decision to benefit one entity will impact homeowners all over our area. Any protected waters with six feet of water will be open to development of the floating eyesores.

For many years, Mathews County has pushed to develop tourism as a major income source. Visitors are encouraged to “Be Here.” Will tourists really want to be here to see these floating cages? Only once, I think.

Food t...