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F, <br />UW pdu 02 <br />a chance to work, and if it doesn't work after a period of time, we <br />can consider increasing the restrictions. Commissioner Wheeler <br />felt a message has been sent to the boaters in this county and <br />neighboring counties to be more careful and more cautious. <br />Commissioner Bowman felt it was unfortunate that we have some <br />very discourteous boaters in this county. She has first-hand <br />experience as she has taken about 750 people out in a pontoon boat <br />during the last year and they will swamp you if they can and then <br />make an obscene gesture. She wondered how much change Commissioner <br />Wheeler and MANWAC will tolerate in the track record before being <br />willing to tighten down the regulations. She also wondered how <br />they would decide whether the manatee is becoming more and more <br />endangered. Commissioner Bowman disputed statements made tonight <br />and at prior meetings that there is an increase in the manatee <br />population. The animal is not out of danger. While a low <br />fatality count is cited for this county, we don't know where the <br />manatees were actually hit. <br />Chairman Eggert stated she is very caring about the manatee, <br />but did feel the MANWAC has come to a good compromise in the <br />latest revisions to their recommendations. <br />THE CHAIRMAN CALLED FOR THE QUESTION. The Motion <br />was voted on and carried 4-1, Commissioner Bowman <br />dissenting. <br />Chairman Eggert announced that the County will be sending <br />appropriate staff and Commissioners to Tallahassee to present our <br />position and that they will be there ahead of time to get the lay <br />of the land. Earlier in this meeting she had asked the County <br />Attorney whether it would be possible to pass a local ordinance <br />requiring boater education, and it was his answer that it probably <br />is not. He has researched this and the DNR agrees that changes are <br />needed in the State Statutes, but we could be a test case. <br />Chairman Eggert felt we could give some thought to that. She <br />encouraged those interested in mandatory education to get very pro- <br />active and get out a grass roots effort by sending letters to the <br />Governor and Cabinet. <br />Commissioner Bowman was very much in favor of licensing and <br />hoped the fees would go towards enforcement of the manatee <br />protection plan. She suggested that it might be less expensive to <br />hire the Sheriff to do it rather than the DNR increasing their <br />staff, boats, etc. <br />22 <br />r-7 <br />