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O El Indian River County Manatee Protection and Boating Safely Comprehensive Management Plsiis Recreational Use Areas Although there are numerous speed zone areas where water skiing is permitted throughout the year or on a seasonal basis, there are only a few preferred water ski areas. One such area is located near St. Edwards Upper School. This area may not always have ideal skiing conditions, but its location is convenient for students. A well -protected ski area known as "Gifford Cut" is located just north of the Hero Beach Municipal Marina and east of Joe S. Earman park. The ICW is located on the west side of the islands and allows the skiers some relief from boat traffic. Another favorite ski location, the "Jungle 'Trail Narrows", is a congested and haz-ardous area. Wabasso Causeway Park can be best described as the County's premier multi -use area. Swimming, fishing, canoeing and boating are regularly observed at the park. Sailboarders are known to congregate toward the west end of Wabasso Causeway park. Also, PWC users are often found utilizing Wabasso Causeway, since the causeway is one of only a few places in the County where PWCs have public access to a launching site. A watercraft testing area is located in an unregulated zone near the south county line between Channel Markers 149 and 156. Proposed Modifications to Existing Speed Zones Notwithstanding the herein expressed concern of inadequate speed zone enforcement resources, the Brevard County boat speed compliance study found that posted speed zones influence boat operator behavior, and result in reduced speeds, both inside and outside the ICW. The boating speed zones established in 1992 by the State and County were done so with careful consideration of manatee protection in the context of boater use, and do not warrant substantial change. However, the following minor modifications to existing manatee protection speed zones are warranted based on an assessment of manatee mortality data and boating safety issues since the zones were originally established. Gifford Cut The VBPS and FMP have concluded that the unregulated speed zone referred to as "Gifford Cut", located due east of Joe S. Earman County Park, is a boating safety hazard due to its current boundaries. Water skiers and PWC users utilize this unregulated area for recreational purposes. The current situation, however, forces a skier to turn around in a small cove. if the unregulated zone is expanded north and west toward the 1CW, water skiers would have sufficient space to turn without hindering other boaters. Currently, the zone changes to "slow speed for all year" southeast of the 1CW. To prevent boating accidents, the FMP and the VBPS recommend that This year round "slow speed zone" be changed to a year-round "unregulated zone" in an area of sufficient size to allow for the safe maneuvering of ski boats. This proposed modification is depicted in Figure S. Community Development Department Page A0