State announces new manatee speed zones

ST PETERSBURG, Fla. -- Sept. 24, 2004 -- Waterfront homeowners in parts of Pinellas, Manatee and Hillsborough Counties hope that new boat speed restrictions imposed by state wildlife commissioners will convince federal Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) to approve a backlog of dock permit requests.

The new speed zones won't become effective until the state posts signs along the waterway, which should be completed by early 2005.

But federal officials say the new rules may not be enough, which means waterfront homeowners may still have to wait for dock permits to be approved.

The FWS must sign off on new dock permits, and in many areas along the Gulf Coast, FWS has been sitting on the applications recently, waiting for the state, county or local governments to create protective rules for manatees.

While the central Gulf Coast does not have as many frustrated waterfront homeowners as some cities in Southwest Florida, such as Cape Coral, at least dozens of homeowners are waiting for dock approvals. According to the Fish and Wildlife Service's response, however, it appears that even more protective measures must be put into place before these homeowners can expect an approval for dock construction.

Slow-speed zones announced Wednesday include:

• Pinellas: Near Safety Harbor from April 1 to Nov. 15. Zone runs from the Courtney Campbell Parkway to Oldsmar.

• Hillsborough: The northern edge of the Courtney Campbell Parkway April 1 to Nov. 15; and Rocky Point south to the Gandy Bridge year round.

• Apollo Beach: South of the Tampa Electric Co. power plant for a seasonal idle-speed zone, and a slow-speed zone next to it. The Little Manatee River will be a 25-mph speed zone, with slower limits near the mouth of the river.

• Manatee County: Slow-speed zones exist throughout the county at different locations, but a few unregulated areas remain to accommodate water-skiers.

Source: St. Petersburg Times, Sept. 23, 2004

Linda Reynolds

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