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MAY 26 199 f�:uty <br />be an official public hearing and whatever information is received <br />is part of their process for amending their proposed rule that they <br />have out now. <br />Jack Jackson, 3030 Power Drive, stated that as a recreational <br />fisherman and a fishing guide, he has the highest regard for the <br />protection of the manatee. He wanted to address the proposed <br />restrictions for limiting public access to canals in Vero Shores <br />because he believed that removing water areas from public domain is <br />a mortal sin. If we limit access to Vero Shores, the restrictions <br />could be extended to the Moorings, Johns Island, Grand Harbor, <br />etc., where there are a greater number of manatees. We would lose <br />a tremendous amount of water in Indian River County and that would <br />put most of the fishermen and boaters right back in the channel. <br />Mr. Jackson stressed that public safety is paramount. He believed <br />public safety is more important than the life of the one manatee <br />that was killed in this county last year due to a collision with a <br />boat. <br />Dean Luethje, 6 Tarpon Drive, Vero Beach, expressed his strong <br />objection to the basic fact that the State would be slowing 80% of <br />the river down to a speed of 5-8 mph, which is the definition of <br />slow speed. He believed that idle speed probably is not much <br />slower than that. He stressed the importance of public safety, and <br />noted that the State's plan would put the sports fishermen back <br />into the Intracoastal channel in order to move from one spot to <br />another where they would be in danger of being swamped by 50 -ft. <br />boats barreling down the Intracoastal Waterway. He felt we have to <br />consider the safety of humans. He could live with a slow speed <br />restriction of 15-20 mph, and he suggested limiting the length of <br />boats allowed in certain parts of the river in order to minimize <br />the danger of congested waters. Mr. Luethje pointed out that many <br />boaters do not realize that this proposal would slow down 80% of <br />the river, and he hoped that the Press Journal will print a notice <br />of tomorrow night's 7:00 meeting at the high school. He felt that <br />46 <br />