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strongly objected to large cruisers going through the channel at 35 <br />mph and throwing a large wake. <br />Robert Haas of Vero Shores supported everything that has been <br />said up to here, but felt the revised recommendations are still too <br />strict. He wondered why no one has considered sanctuaries for the <br />1500 manatees that are left throughout Florida. <br />Charles Webb, 715 Tides Road, felt we have to calm down and <br />recognize that we will have to compromise somewhere with regard to <br />the manatee protection plan. There is no way that everybody is <br />going to be happy with this plan. He believed the water skiers <br />will have to accept being restricted to certain areas and that <br />fishermen will have to accept a slower speed. He agreed there is <br />a lack of information on boat safety and protecting the <br />environment. Mr. Webb believed we have people out there who know <br />these things and people out there who know but don't care. He <br />personally felt there is a lack of courtesy on the part of water <br />skiers, and he has given up on fishing in certain places because of <br />that. He urged everyone to stop being anti -DNR and try to solve <br />this problem with common courtesy. <br />Dean Luethje, 6 Tarpon Drive, apologized for not knowing this <br />plan was coming down the pike until just a few weeks ago. However, <br />he did not feel it is too late to change the minds of the <br />bureaucrats in Tallahassee. He is opposed to the regulations, but <br />realizes we will have to compromise. As a sports fisherman, he <br />doesn't want to be pushed into the Intracoastal Waterway and put in <br />danger of being swamped by large boats. He expected someone would <br />be killed and he certainly didn't want it to be him. He talked <br />with State Representative Charles Sembler today who said he has <br />reviewed the plan and is concerned as he feels that the DNR has <br />used the broad brush technique on the plan. He hopes we can work <br />out something with the DNR on the modified plan and that he will <br />back us to his fullest extent. Mr. Luethje urged the Board to <br />accept the recommendations from MANWAC as modified at yesterday's <br />meeting plus the committee's encouragement for mandatory boater <br />education requirements (and boating registration) with regard to <br />manatee protection and boating safety. He hoped, if it becomes <br />necessary, that we can go all the way to Tallahassee to support <br />what we feel is right. <br />Jason D. Terrell, 3210 62nd Avenue, supported the speed <br />restrictions proposed by the State. He was having a hard time <br />understanding the lack of compassion some people are showing for <br />this species which was here a long time before us. He urged <br />everyone to slow down out on the river and support DNR's efforts to <br />save the manatee. <br />13 <br />!BOOK �t!U , <br />