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Commissioner Ginn and Chief of Environmental Planning Roland DeBlois answered <br />questioning by the Board and further explained the recommendations. <br />Commissioner Ginn added that MANWAC also wants to allow a few trained <br />environmental tour guides who would need to purchase a license or tag. Discussion ensued <br />regarding qualifications for such a license or tag, areas set aside for skiers, and seasonal changes <br />in speed limits. <br />ON MOTION by Commissioner Macht, SECONDED by <br />Commissioner Tippin, the Board unanimously ratified <br />MANWAC's recommendations as presented in the Memorandum <br />and approved out -of -county travel for Commissioner Ginn, as well <br />as MANWAC members, Bill Moody and Jack Jackson, to attend <br />the Florida Fish and Wildlife hearing on September 12, 2002 in <br />Kissimmee, Florida to present the MANWAC recommendations <br />more fully set forth in Attachment 2 to staff's Memorandum, as <br />follows: <br />ATTACHMENT2 <br />Following is a summary of MANWAC concerns and recommendations on the proposed rulemaking <br />by the FWC regarding changes to the manatee protection speed zones in Indian River County. <br />Vero Beach Power Plant <br />As presented by FWC staff at several meetings, property owners within the proposed `Restricted <br />Entry' area of the westem most canal just north of the Vero Beach Power Plant will be allowed <br />unrestricted entry into this area for the purpose of accessing their property. This access will be <br />controlled by the use of some sort of identifying sticker or tag. The MANWAC, on a unanimous vote, <br />expressed the following concerns. <br />How many stickers or tags will be issued? The concern is that if one sticker or tag is issued <br />for each property and then several each for guests or friends, soon the purpose of the restricted <br />entry area will be moot as large numbers of boats will be authorized to be in the restricted <br />entry area. <br />Will other boat operators such as environmental tour providers be issued stickers or tags <br />in much the same manner as they are issued exemption from some speed zone <br />requirements? The concern is that eco -tourism is gaining in popularity and there are a <br />number of these operators in the area who routinely navigate in this area for the purpose of <br />environmental education. <br />SEPTEMBER 10, 2002 <br />48 <br />