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We feel that the impact on the sensitive environment of the St. <br />Sebastian River is tremendous. From close residents' and other <br />members' accounts the noise will drive out every living thing if <br />airboat traffic is permitted there. The noise can conservatively <br />be heard for a half -mile. As the river narrows, the sound becomes <br />horrendous. <br />It was agreed unanimously to stand up and protect an ecosystem <br />that is priceless and non-renewable. We hope you will do all <br />you can to help us preserve it. <br />Very Sincerely, <br />Joan Reed, President <br />Association of Roseland <br />Property Owners <br />Ms. Reed stated that the Association of Roseland Property Owners has resolved to <br />support the ordinance banning use of the airboats and hoped the Board will do all within its <br />power to help them preserve their neighborhood. <br />Lynn Stieglitz, Riverview Drive, Micco, property owner and on the Board of <br />Directors of Friends of the St. Sebastian River, asked that all airboats be banned. These <br />boats do not belong in the St. Sebastian River. There are not many places where canoes and <br />kayaks can go except in this area and airboats create great damage, along with the noise. He <br />emphasized the quality of life in the area and the birds being chased away by the noise. <br />Warren Dill, Attorney and property owner on Roseland Road, asked for regulation <br />of watercraft. He believed that sufficient time has not been spent on the other alternatives <br />to banning all airboats and requested that the Board instruct staff to look further into the <br />matter and develop a responsible plan to regulate all watercraft. The County recently <br />purchased about 90 acres from Dr. Fischer as a measure to preserve and protect the river in <br />its natural state. Airboats create noise, wind thrust, and have a distinct lack of <br />maneuverability. They are not compatible with the area. <br />Sharon Tyson, 169 Platt Avenue, is considered a manatee expert for the state and <br />federal governments, and believed that the Board will have far more commercial traffic <br />unless the issue is addressed now. She is employed at the buffer preserve and has conducted <br />research for the last 10 years. She believed the river widths are even narrower because the <br />heavy concentration of manatees have only about 35 feet to maneuver. The manatees have <br />JUNE 291998 <br />