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Due to the complexity of the issue, there are insufficient data to support a finding that wildlife is being
<br />adversely affected by airboats on the river. Moreover, airboats are allowed to operate in other environmental
<br />sensitive areas, such as the SL Johns Upper River Basin, and it would be difficult to justify prohibiting
<br />airboats on the St. Sebastian River due to wildlife impacts while at the same time allowing airboats to use
<br />the upper basin.
<br />Boating Safety
<br />Another issue raised concerning airboats on the SL Sebastian Riva is boating safety. The SL Sebastian River
<br />is a popular canoeing and kayaking area, and the issue is the compatibility of airboats and canoes,
<br />particularly in the narrow sections of the river. Airboats do not have `reverse," and the prop wash from an
<br />airboat attempting to tum or negotiate a narrow turn of the river could adversely affect someone in a canoe.
<br />This is a particular concern if the canoeist is a novice and is not an accomplished swimmer. Staff's position
<br />is that this is a legitimate concern, particulary relating to large boats with limited maneuverability in narrow
<br />portions of the river.
<br />A review of blueprint aerials of the south prong of the SL Sebastian River reveals that the river is relatively
<br />wide (±250 feet or wider) north of Dale Wimbrow Park (off Roseland Road). South of Dale Wimbrow Park,
<br />the river ranges from 100 to 250 feet wide for approximately 1 S (linear) miles, to the vicinity of Shiloh
<br />Youth Ranch and Boy Scout Camp Oklawaha. South of that point, the river narrows to approximately 50
<br />feet It is staff's position that, from a boat safety stand point, prohibiting all boats over a certain length (i.e.,
<br />25 feet) in the portion of the river ± 50 feet wide is justifiable.
<br />Enforcement
<br />In response to numerous complaints about the subject airboats violating speed zone regulations, the Florida
<br />Marine Patrol (FMP) and Sheriff's Office have increased on -water patrols of the St Sebastian River. On
<br />April 1, 1998, the FMP issued a citation (#U183387), fining one of the Wilderness Tour airboat operators
<br />S50 for operating on a plane (watercraft are not allowed to plane in slow speed zones). However, since only
<br />two FMP officers are assigned to a combined area of South Brevard County and Indian River County, and
<br />the Sheriffs Office has only two officers dedicated to on -water patrols, there is not adequate personnel to
<br />patrol the SL Sebastian River on a regular basis. Staff contacted FMP staff for an estimate of what it would
<br />cost to fund an additional marine patrol unit, and it was estimated that it would cost approximately $100,000
<br />for start-up costs (staff and equipment), and approximately $75,000 per year thereafter (staff, equipment
<br />maintenance, and fuel).
<br />Prohibition of Airboats vs. Other Boats
<br />If the County is to consider prohibiting airboats from using the SL Sebastian River, while allowing other
<br />types of boats to remain, the County needs to justify adverse impacts specific to airboats vs. other types of
<br />boats. In researching the matter, staff did not find any empirical data to conclude that an airboat has any
<br />more adverse impact on wildlife than other boats. Regarding noise, an anboat, traveling at the required slow
<br />speed, does not violate the noise limit of 90 -decibels measured at 50 feet Concerning large boats in the
<br />narrow section of the river, all large boats (not just airboats) are a safety issue from the stand point of
<br />compatibility with canoes and kayaks.
<br />Alternatives
<br />There are a number of action alternatives that the County can consider, including the following:
<br />No action (status quo)
<br />• '. Adopt the attached draft ordinance prohibiting the operation of all airboats in the SL
<br />Sebastian River.
<br />• Adopt a modified version of the ordinance to restrict all watercraft that exceed a designated
<br />size within the narrow portions of the St Sebastian River (i.e., prohibit all vessels 25 feet
<br />long or longer in portions of the river ±50 feet wide, south of Shiloh Youth Ranch and Boy
<br />Scout Camp Oklawaha).
<br />• Cooperate with Brevard County, the FMP and GFC to increase enforcement of existing
<br />regulations, including budgeting for additional Sheriffs marine patrol units.
<br />Staff s position is that there are insufficient data to justify prohibiting airboats (only) from the St Sebastian
<br />River, notwithstanding auboat size and speed zone compliance. Based on safety factors, however, it appears
<br />justifiable to prohibit all vessels over a certain length (25 feet) in the narrow (50 foot wide) portion of the
<br />river. Moreover, an increased enforcement presence is needed in the river to enforce existing slow speed
<br />zones, which will in tuna abate noise nuisance.
<br />Staff recommends that the Board of County Commissioners not adopt the attached proposed airboat
<br />ordinance. Instead, staff recommends that the Board adopt an ordinance prohibiting all vessels 25 feet or
<br />more in length on the portion of the river ±50 feet wide or less (south of Boy Scout Camp Oklawaha).
<br />Moreover, staff recommends that the Board direct staff to coordinate with the Sheriffs Department, to
<br />determine the cost of funding an additional marine patrol unit for the SL Sebastian River area, and report
<br />back to the Board.
<br />JUNE 2,1998
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