SARASOTA, Fla. ( WWSB ) - The 30 members of the Florida congressional delegation sent a letter to President Trump Thursday expressing opposition to plans to resume offshore drilling in the Gulf.

While the letter cites the potential harm to the environment, it also takes a new tack, suggesting new drilling could harm U.S. military readiness.

The Dec. 4 letter says the region being considered for new drilling would encroach on a military testing area called the Gulf Test Range.

“The Gulf Test Range is the largest multi-domain military training and testing complex in the country, and its unique geographic characteristics enable critical preparation for real-world contingencies,” the letter says.

“Protecting this range from encroachment, including oil exploration, is essential.”

The let

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