by Bradley Parsons
Staff Writer
The Jacksonville Waterways Commission delayed action last week in creating slow–speed zones on the Cedar River. Pushing the decision back to next month gave temporary relief to several waterfront homeowners and boaters who protested the zone, but some commission members worried that more delays could eventually bring down federal restrictions.
The Commission will decide next month whether to recommend that the City Council re-impose boater–safety zones on the River. The zones expired earlier this year. The zones are less restrictive than manatee zones, and offer a middle ground, protecting an area that has been identified as a manatee–birthing zone while allowing boaters more freedom.
The move was moderately well received by a group of about 20 citizens who spoke against the zones. Many in attendance hoped to nix the zones altogether, fearing they could lead to mounting restrictions on the river’s use.
However, several Commission members expressed concern that their failure to act could convince federal regulators to impose their own, far more restrictive, measures.
Councilman Art Graham spoke for several commission members who thought the safety zone could forestall federal imposition of a sanctuary. A manatee death following local inaction, Graham said, could lead to a boating moratorium on Cedar River, a northern tributary of the Ortega River.
“If we don’t show we can take even little steps to control our own situation, we run the risk of having bigger regulations crammed down our throat,” said Graham. “We’re setting ourselves up for big problems if we show the State we can’t take care of our only birthing area.”
Dr. Quinton White, a Jacksonville University professor of marine science, said 10 years of research showed manatee birthing activity in the Cedar River. Fast–moving boats on the river could separate mothers and calves, causing the offspring to die, he said.
Commission member John Lowe moved to postpone establishing the zone, stretching from 1,000 feet south of the San Juan Bridge through the headwaters of the Ortega River about three miles away. Lowe proposed a year’s delay to allow for more study.
If the City caught wind of State or federal regulators preparing to act, then the zone could be quickly approved, he said.
However, commission member Carter Bryan opposed that motion on the grounds that once the regulatory machinery was in motion, it could be impossible to stop.
“We’re playing with some very serious fire there,” said Bryan. “It’s ridiculous and irresponsible to say, if we get a notion that the feds are going to act, that we’re going to jump in and do something.”
Councilwoman, and commission chair, Lynette Self agreed. The City had already displayed its awareness of manatee activity on the river, she said.
“We’re on the record at two different State meetings saying that we’re aware of this and that we’re going to be proactive,” she said.
A compromise suggested by Lowe to install seasonal zones seemed to satisfy most of the commission. The plan called for the zones to be removed from Dec. 1 to March 31, a period when research shows manatees vacate the region. The commission will decide whether to recommend the compromise at next month’s meeting.
City Assistant General Counsel Greg Radlinski questioned the legality of using the boater safety zones to protect manatees. The boater zones, he said, kept speeds slow to protect boaters. It would be difficult to justify seasonal enforcement, he said.
However, Graham said installing a manatee zone could cause other problems. The zones require Florida Wildlife Commission approval, and Graham said he feared losing local control of the zones. The zones would also be more restrictive on boat traffic.
Bryan said he supported Lowe’s compromise. He suggested a novel rationale for applying the boater safety zones seasonally.
“There’s a legitimate basis for removing the zones in the winter,” he said. “We’ll tell them there’s less fools on the river during that time.”