STATE SLOWS BREVARD BOATERS TO PROTECT MANATEES Palm Beach Post -- Thursday, May 24, 2001 By: Joe Brogan, Palm Beach Post Staff Writer PALM BEACH GARDENS -- In a preview of what might lie ahead for the Treasure Coast and Palm Beach County waterways, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission voted Wednesday to slow boat traffic in Brevard County to protect endangered manatees. The actions were the first in what are expected to be a series of decisions that pit recreational boaters against animal activists. Although the commission probably won't take them up until next year, slow or safe haven zones are proposed for the Big Munyon Island area in North Palm Beach and waterways in St. Lucie and Indian River counties. Save the Manatee Club Inc. sued the state last year alleging that it inadequately regulated state waterways and failed to protect the sea cows. The state has agreed to a settlement with the club and in Brevard County actions Wednesday: Added a slow-speed zone in the southern and eastern sections of Turnbull Basin, except for a 25 mph zone in the Intracoastal Waterway channel. Changed 25 mph zones to slow speed in the Canaveral Barge Canal and Sykes Creek. Expanded slow-speed zones in the Banana River north of State Road 528 in the Port Canaveral area, added an idle-speed zone in the Banana River adjacent to the Canaveral sewage treatment plant and dropped boat speeds in the Cocoa Beach area from 35 mph to slow. At Wednesday's public hearing, state Rep. Bob Allen, R-Merritt Island, asked that action be deferred until more scientific study and additional marine law enforcement are available. "Slow-speed zones aren't the answer," said David Ray of the Marine Industries Association of Florida." There need to be narrow travel corridors where people can go from place to place." But environmentalists had their say too. "Manatees are an endangered species," said Donna Melzer of the Martin County Conservation Alliance. "That's why we're here." Copyright (c) 2001, The Palm Beach Post

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