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h ,; M• ii .,., r I d��pJ Li Lee Skinner,12800 82 d Court; Roseland, just moved to the area from California and believed that responsibility is inherent in freedom. She felt that one man is destroying other people's ability to operate airboats and other people's peace and quiet. The airboats start next door to her and she believed that Mr. Taylor is operating his business out of his home. She asked the Board to please protect one of few remaining quiet areas in the world. Frank Wegel, 8060 142 Street, of Friends of St. Sebastian River, presented the following Memorandum of May 18, 1998: 4vDso� RECEIVED JUN - 3 1998 friend,s of St. Sebastian Diver CLERK TO THE 80ffi%1e1mt)m P. O. Box 284 . Roseland, Florida 32957 Com. ; bnnrs RECEIV ��n'su"'- �9 A� MAY 2 2 1998 Rfts c ne rks May 18, 1998 BOARD OF COUNTY ��Community DCI. � TO: Indian River Conary Commissioners COMMISSION Rnance FROM: Board of Directors, Friends of St. Sebastian River OMB RE: Proposed ordinance regarding airboats on the St. Sebastian River Emsf& SM. R!Wr ; gt OiliGl _ The Board of Directors of the Friends of St. Sebastian River have passed the folio resolution, by unanimous vote on April 14, 1998: Resolve, the FWends of St Sebastian River oppose and request the banning of the operation of any and all airboau on the St Sebastian River, as a totally inappropriate use of the river. The Friends are in full support of an ordinance to prohibit the use of airboats on the St. Sebastian River, except for the purpose of law enforcement. The operation of airboats on the St. Sebastian River is contrary to the established character of its riverfront communities, as a tributary to the Indian River Lagoon National Estuary system, as a State of Florida Aquatic Preserve, and as a designated year-round manatee slow speed zone. Considering the proximity of the surrounding communities and wildlife preserves, and the significance of the St. Sebastian River to the aquatic ecosystems, we feel that appropriate usage of the river requires minimal impact. We view the negative impacts of the operation of an airboat on the St. Sebastian as 1) excessive noise level, 2) speed inappropriate to the manatee slow speed zone, 3) speed and lack of maneuverability that could endanger the use of small and unpowered boats on the river, such as canoes, 4) speed that produces a wake resulting in excessive erosion, and 5) disturbance and harassment of wildlife on the adjoining Buffer Preserve. The use of airboats on the St. Sebastian River for wildlife viewing seems especially inappropriate. The Friends certainly encourage the use of the St. Sebastian for passive recreational activities and the appreciation of the riverine ecosystems and its wildlife. Therefore, we strongly oppose the use of 2.irboats and encourage the use of watercraft more compatible with wildlife habitats. JUNE 211998