6/16/1992 (2) - Laserfiche WebLink

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r JUN I f, '1992 BOOK ' d " 1' Robert Turner of the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service stated that he has spent considerable time fishing and boating in the Indian River in various sizes of boats and currently holds a 100 -ton master's license. With this background, he believed he has a good understanding of the need to protect the manatees as well as an understanding of a cross section of the boaters. Dr. Tom O'Shea, director of the USFWS manatee research laboratory in Gainesville has stated that Sebastian Creek is the most important manatee concentration areas along the east coast. Between wintering in areas in south Florida and coming north to spend the summer in Brevard County, much of the east coast manatee population passes through Indian River County. He believe we should be pro -active and provide protection before manatee mortalities reach the levels of Duval, Brevard and Palm Beach Counties. Applications already have been submitted to the Army Corps of Engineers that would double the number of boat slips in Indian River County. Mr. Turner had no doubt that unless action is taken to impose slow -speed zones, manatee deaths will increase due to the increase in boating traffic. Mr. Turner stated that it is the USFWS's position that if any project they review is likely to result in one additional manatee death, it jeopardizes the continued existence of''the species. With regard to 90% of the river being restricted to slow speeds, he could not understand why that would not encourage more families to enjoy the river. Carol Johnson, public affairs administrator for the Vero Beach/Indian River County Chamber of Commerce, wished to thank county staff and MANWAC for coming up with some compromising proposals. She read into the record the following letter stating the Chamber of Commerce position: 14 _I