Subject:
Title
Addition of Section 122-29 - Use of Vessels on the St Johns River, to Chapter 122 - Waterways of the Code of Ordinances of Brevard County to allow for the implementation of new slow-speed and idle-speed zones.
End
Fiscal Impact:
FY 20-21 Up to $5,000 for the installation of waterway markers
FY 21-22 None
Dept/Office:
Natural Resources Management
Requested Action:
Recommendation
Approval of the included ordinance, amending Chapter 122 Waterways by adding Section 122-29, Use of Vessels on the St Johns River, to allow for the implementation of new slow-speed and idle-speed zones along the St. Johns River.
End
Summary Explanation and Background:
Brevard County Code of Ordinances, Chapter 122 Waterways, provides for watercraft safety and slow-speed zones within the County’s waterways and along the Atlantic coast. Brevard County presently has over 34,000 registered vessels with over 900 of those listed as airboats. Mr. Curt McKinney, the owner of Camp Holly Airboat Rides, operating on the St. John’s River at the intersection of Hwy 192, has requested that the County consider placing a boating safety zone at the intersection of HWY 192 and the St. John’s River.
On April 19, 2018, Mr. McKinney presented his safety concerns and the concerns of the boating public in this area to the Brevard Marine Advisory Council (BMAC). The BMAC motioned in favor of creating a boating safety zone in this area and asked staff to pursue the necessary actions at the state and local level to implement the appropriate zones.
On July 11, 2018, staff attended a membership meeting of the Brevard County Airboat Club and presented options for slow-speed and idle-speed boating safety zones along the St. John’s River in the Camp Holly area. A variety of options were presented to the club at that meeting. On December 5, 2018, the Brevard County Airboat Club formally approved the draft zones as proposed and shown on the attached maps.
On August 6, 2019, the Board approved legislative intent and permission to advertise amendments to Chapter 122 Waterways to allow for the implementation of new slow-speed and idle-speed zones along the St. Johns River.
On June 18, 2020, the Brevard Marine Advisory Council, at their regular meeting, reviewed the proposed changes and recommended approval of the St. Johns River ordinance amendment.
Per Florida Statutes, formal boating safety zones must be created locally and then brought before the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) for final approval and adoption at the State level. Approval at the State level will provide enforcement authority to the State in addition to local law enforcement. Staff has been working with the FWC Waterway Management Section in Tallahassee and local FWC Law Enforcement on the development of this ordinance. State and local law enforcement agree on the boating safety concerns in the Camp Holly area.
Clerk to the Board Instructions:
Provide one signed and certified copy for filing with the State.