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Joan Carlson, representing the Humane Society of Vero Beach, <br />stated that her organization hopes that this Commission will be <br />pro -active in supporting the DNR's proposed regulations. They feel <br />that in addition to developing education programs, it is critical <br />to regulate manatee protection on the river. <br />Robert E. King, stated that his family has been in this area <br />since the 1800's and that he didn't think that he had to go to <br />school to know what a manatee looks like as he probably has eaten <br />more than some people have seen. Not too many years ago there was <br />a restaurant in Palm Beach County that served sea cows. He <br />objected to these restrictions because people want a place to water <br />ski without having to worry about fishermen and fishermen want a <br />place to fish without having to worry about water skiers. In <br />addition, when he wants to go to Sebastian, he doesn't want to take <br />3 hours to get there. He felt that most boaters slow down when <br />they see congestion and shallow water ahead. He doesn't want all <br />this regulation, and he doesn't want to be harassed. Mr. King felt <br />that people should just operate their boats with common sense. <br />John R. King, 135 9th Avenue, stated that his parents live out <br />in Vero Shores and he grew up there. He likes to water ski and <br />cannot see regulating water skiing to just two areas in the county. <br />People are going to die; forget the manatees. <br />Jack Jackson, 3030 Par Drive, supported the Board's approval <br />of the compromises made in the latest MANWAC recommendations. He <br />explained that the proposed speed was expanded to 20 mph to areas <br />outside the channel because of an increase in the county of hydro - <br />sliders that need 18-20 mph. The modified recommendations of <br />MANWAC gives them an area outside the channel, providing a greater <br />safety measure. His children hydro -slide in the channel and he is <br />scared to death when he pulls them out there because of the heavy <br />boat traffic. The gruesome score in the last 6 years is 4 manatees <br />to 3 children, and keeping everybody in the channel the way DNR <br />wants will only make those statistics even more lopsided. Mr. <br />Jackson felt that a 20 mph speed limit gives a educated boater <br />adequate time to see the manatee and adequate time for the manatee <br />to move out of the way. <br />Mark Yanno, 5402 Deer Run Drive, stated he has been water <br />skiing since he was a child, but supports the DNR's proposed <br />regulations. He has worked for the DNR and understands the threat <br />that boaters pose to manatees. As educated as he is about manatees <br />and as an experienced boater, he had an unfortunate incident two <br />years ago down by Round Island when despite all his efforts, he hit <br />a manatee. Fortunately, he was using a small 25 hp outboard, and <br />he believed the manatee probably survived. Mr. Yanno stressed that <br />19 <br />