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F_ FEE 6 199® 1-scussed with you, the protection measures of county with designated the comments below, we measures are needed to Bou 43 Department supports the interim channel -exempt slow speed throughout the water recreation areas. As addressed in believe the following additional better protect manatees in the county: -Since manatees have been observed along both sides of the spoil islands located east of the Intracoastal Waterway (ICW) channel in the Sebastian water recreation area, it is recommended that this area be roved easterly into the Indian River and a 300 -foot slow speed shoreline buffer be designated along the spoil islands. The water ski area could be expanded easterly to use a larger portion of the Indian River. however, a 300 -foot slow speed shoreline buffer should also be designated along the eastern shore of the indian River in the vicinity of the exempted zone. -The additional water recreation area indicated southwest of Sebastian is located in a manatee travel corridor. Numerous manatees have been observed along the spoil islands west of the ICW channel. Therefore, this area is not recommended for exemption from slow speed. Similarly, the ,jungle Trail Narrows are heavily used by manatees travelling through the county. The Department supports the recommendations of the ad hoc Manatee Protection. and Boating Safety Committee to use the area west of Pine Island for water recreation in lieu of the Jungle Trail Narrows. In addition, the Department supports the Marine Advisory/Narrows Watershed Action committee's recommendation for a 25 -mph speed limit for the marked channel of the ICW from the Wabbasso Bridge south to marker 120. For boater safety, a maximum speed restriction in the marked channel of the ICW under bridges and extending 100 -feet on either side is also recommended. -The water recreation area east of the ICW channel between Prang island and Porpoise Point does not go all the way to the ICW channel or all the way to the shoreline as currently mapped. A designated 300 -foot slow speed shoreline buffer is recommended extending easterly from the ICW channel and extending westerly from the eastern shore of the river. Skiers could be allowed straight travel out to the recreation area from the ICW and the shore. -The Department concurs with the Manatee Protection and Boating Safety Committee's recommendations to designate the St. Sebastian River.as a slow speed channel -included zone for the entire river to allow only electric trolling and paddle vessels into the C-54 canal, and to allow commercial fishermen the opportunity to apply for exemptions to the slow speed regulation through our Department's exemption process. However, a 200 -yard "shoal clearance" exemption to slow speed in an area of the Sebastian River is not recommended unless navigation will not be possible without going faster. if possible, this area should be marked so that boaters can navigate this area at slow speed. -Additional consideration needs to be given to the best way to protect manatees around the Sebastian Inlet. It is our understanding that the inlet is presently being dredged. More information on boat use around the inlet will need to be obtained before a final determination can be made. 37