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40 <br />4D <br />Indian River County, Manatee Protection and Iloaling Safety Comprehensive hlanareartent Pian <br />of the Narrows, speed is limited to 34 m.p.h. during manatee season (November I to April 30), <br />and unregulated the remainder of the year. The portion of the Narrows situated outside the <br />ICW Channel is a designated "slow speed" zone during the season (November 1 to April 30), <br />and "unregulated zone" throughout the remainder of the year. In other words, watercraft may <br />legally proceed at any speed in the Narrows from May I to October 31. <br />This area has traditionally been used as a water ski area. It is one of the few locations in the <br />county where water skiing activities can occur regardless of wind conditions. Limiting water <br />skiing to the ICW, under a more restrictive speed zone configuration, would create a public <br />safety hazard for both the water skiers and non -water skiers alike. Therefore the County <br />should maintain the current speed zones as described above and depicted in Figure 10. <br />Sign Modification and Maintenance <br />FMP staff claim that 60 percent of speed zone offenders are unaware of manatee protection <br />zone signage or do not take time to interpret the posted signs. Thus, enhancing boater <br />awareness of speed zones is important in decreasing the number of noncompliance cases in <br />manatee protection zones. <br />;Based on recommendations from FMP staff, FIND completed a sign modification and <br />maintcnance program for Indian River County in 1997. Forty new speed zones signs were <br />installed in the IR.L, and 25 existing signs were replaced or upgraded. In addition to installing <br />speed zone regulatory signs in the IRI., FIND plans to install speed zone informational signs <br />at the most popular public boat ramps. Wabasso Causeway Park will be the first boat ramp to <br />receive the informational sign. There is no conclusive evidence at this time as to whether or <br />not the FIND's sign modification and maintenance program has increased speed zone <br />compliance. <br />Community Development Department Page 45 <br />