5/26/1992 - Laserfiche WebLink

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thousands of boaters enjoyed the river without killing one manatee. Discussion ensued on whether there would be sufficient funding for signage and enforcement. Rev. Jack Diehl, 3035 Field Court, felt that Indian River County has been doing a good job in regard to protecting the manatee. Our youngsters have been learning about the manatee through various programs and he strongly believed that education is going to make the difference. He felt the State's slow speed plan will not do any good because the manatees do not know where the slow areas are in the river. In fact, he has seen just as many manatees in the Intracoastal Waterway as he has seen in other parts of the river. Commissioner Bird didn't know that the fishermen or water skiers could win here, because if these restrictions are adopted and the manatee count increases, the State will say that it is due to the restrictions. However, if the count goes down, the DNR will want to impose more restrictions. The discussion turned to the damage being done to the seagrasses, the manatee's habitat, and Commissioner Bowman strongly cautioned that if the seagrasses go, the manatee will decline to point where there aren't any. Food is the ultimate factor. Rick Giteles, 12415 Roseland Road, chairman of the Sebastian Inlet Taxing District, asked that more consideration be given to the restrictions as they relate to the Sebastian Inlet. He objected to the slow speed areas in that area because a boat needs to be able to attain headway to get in and out of that dangerous corridor. Mr. Rose advised that they have received some fairly interesting comment on that and are looking at what to do there. They have received differing opinions on what would be safer for boaters in that area. Everyone agrees, however, that there needs to be a good high speed corridor through there for boaters to get in and out of the inlet. He hoped that they would receive more 48