by Mike Sharkey
Staff Writer
A rumor started a neighborhood discussion. That rumor became the lead item on Thursday’s Jacksonville Waterways Commission meeting agenda. And, many in that neighborhood attended the meeting for the sole purpose of hearing if the rumor was true.
About 100 residents of the Arlington River/Pottsburg Creek area showed up to voice their disapproval over a rumor they head that the City was looking to impose new restrictions on boating in the area. While most spoke in opposition to any new restrictions, a few did tell the Commission that “boat racing” is an issue in the area.
City Council member and Commission Chair Bill Bishop acknowledged the crowd, saying it was the biggest he’s seen during his year on the Commission. He then quickly moved to put the rumor to rest.
“There is no legislation pending and no decision will be made today,” said Bishop. “This item is a result of residents calling and asking it be put on the agenda. This is only for information purposes.”
For nearly an hour, well over a dozen residents spoke passionately about their neighborhood, property and appreciation of area waterways and boating as a pastime.
“I am opposed to any limits and making any more of the areas a no wake zone. That would be detrimental to boating and our property values,” said Keith Howard, adding it would take an hour to reach the St. Johns River at idle speed from the area.
At the heart of the debate is the safety of those in small boats, using personal water craft, kayaks and fishing and the health of manatees, which are common in area waterways this time of year. Bill Fenwick said the area needs more enforcement, not regulation.
Sgt. Leonard Propper of the Marine Unit of the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office said his unit enforces as much as possible, but he’s short of manpower.
“JSO has five police boats for 125 miles of waterways in addition to some military action,” said Propper, adding the units are deployed based on manatee information provided by marine scientists at Jacksonville University. “The more sightings in the area, the more police resources you get.”
The City does have an ordinance on the books that covers area waterways and boat ramps. However, that ordinance is 10 years old and needs updating. Propper pointed out that in most waterways outside of no wake zones, there isn’t a posted speed limit.
“There are no police boats sitting there to see if a boat is doing 50 or 100 miles an hour,” he said. “A boater can go by a JSO boat at 70 miles an hour in Pottsburg Creek and they haven’t broken the law. It’s legal.”
While the city’s waterways are regulated and governed by the Florida Wildlife Commission, a City ordinance does regulate the area’s boat ramps and other facets of boating and waterways use. Bishop asked Waterways Commissioner Steve Nichols and Waterways Coordinator Jim Suber to meet with and begin initial discussions that may lead to a complete re-examination of the City’s waterways ordinance.
Nichols, the former waterways coordinator, pointed out the current ordinance on the books is 10 years old and a lot has changed since that ordinance was passed.
“I urge this Commission and the City Council to look at the ordinance. I would rather not do this piece-meal and look at the whole thing and see if changes need to be made,” said Nichols, adding over that decade there are new docks and boat ramps and water traffic is up.
“Kayaks and speeding boats both have a right to use the river, but how can we accommodate both?” said Bishop.
Any new ordinance would require a permit from the FWC in order to become enforceable.