Laserfiche WebLink
• <br />The Chairman opened the public hearing and asked if anyone wished to be heard in <br />this matter. <br />Sandra Clinger, KaliffAvenue, Cocoa, spoke as East Central Coordinator for "Save <br />the Manatee Club" and as a native of Vero Beach. The club is working on manatee <br />protection in three nearby counties and strongly endorsed the education concept and boating <br />safety. In Brevard County, when boats are registered, the owners receive educational <br />materials such as a waterproof map indicating the location of the manatee protection boat <br />speed zones. Brevard County has begun the process of putting in educational kiosks at all <br />the boat ramps. Indian River County has a similar map available in many boating -related <br />places. Boat rental facilities are a very important place to get the message out to people <br />who are not familiar with the area. She suggested manatee protection notices be posted in <br />marine -related businesses. <br />Ms. Clinger advised that the Club has reviewed the plan, supports many of the <br />provisions, but has some concerns. Some recommendations they cannot support. She <br />distributed charts of three zones that concern the Club. These charts pinpoint watercraft - <br />related manatee deaths and sightings of manatees by aircraft in 63 overflights. (Clerk's Note: <br />The charts have been placed with the backup for the meeting.) She explained their concerns <br />with the zones at Jungle Trail Narrows, Gifford Cut, and the Barber Bridge. She stated that <br />the criteria for expansion of a marina is not clearly defined and is not carried over into the <br />action plan as a whole. Zone 7 was of particular concern because she thought there should <br />be some way to exclude the warm water at the power plant from the speed zone. The club <br />strongly advocates increased law enforcement on the water throughout the state and hoped <br />the County would take immediate action by demanding, through the Legislative Delegation, <br />increased on -water law enforcement. <br />Ms. Clinger stated that necropsy results of the 20 manatee deaths in Indian River <br />County reveal that the vast majority are impact -related as opposed to propeller -related. <br />It was determined that no one else wished to be heard and the Chairman closed the <br />public hearing. <br />Commissioner Stanbridge recommended the Jungle Trail Narrows not be used for <br />water-skiing. <br />AUGUST 17, 1999 <br />45 <br />• <br />