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r JUL 071992 nut necessary north of the bridge because there is no development in that area. Mr. Edwards agreed it is necessary to have the speed restriction between the fenders of the bridges for safety reasons and because there is deep water there and manatees will travel through that as they travel up and down the coast. He felt there is no reason for idle speed between the bridges on the west side of the river because there is no grass there and no manatee habitat. He suggested that particular area should be slow speed during the manatee season. Mr. Edwards felt that the Moorings needs a corridor of 30 mph to go from the shallows to the ICW, and he felt that the area of Round Island has the same situation and needs a 30 mph corridor also. Mr. Edwards was concerned that Indian River boaters would not have a representative in Tallahassee during the hearings and suggested we ask for a postponement of the hearing until September. Commissioner Bird advised that the process involves the DNR setting an agenda, and then presenting that agenda before the Governor and the Cabinet, so any postponement would involve two meetings. Dean Leuthje, 6 Tarpon Drive, came before the Board to contribute his perspective. He confirmed that no one has gotten everything they want. In his opinion, the first plan basically was slowing down 80 percent of the river. The current plan, from November through April, slows down 60 to 70 percent of the river, and during the summer months, 40 to 50 percent of the river will be slowed down. He approved the modifications presented by Allen Edwards and agreed that representatives of the boaters of Indian River County should be there when this plan is presented to the Governor and Cabinet. Patty Thompson, staff biologist for Save the Manatee Club, came before the Board to express the disappointment of her group with MANWAC's recommendations. The members of Save the Manatee Club believe that the plan is woefully inadequate to address the future problems and needs for manatees in Indian River County. They are concerned with the attitude that it can be fixed later when it becomes a problem, and they ask how many manatees have to die before it is considered a problem. Ms. Thompson stated that Save the Manatee Club supports the DNR -proposed rule because the MANWAC proposal has nothing for manatee protection. She urged the Board to support DNR's current recommendation and get it on the July 21 agenda. She hoped the Governor and Cabinet will adopt it as scheduled, and she stated that her group will continue their work until the rule can be readdressed. 28