establishing "channel-exempt" boat speed restrictions in broad 

 areas. This approach, which applies to waters outside desig- 

 nated channels, would afford greater protection adjacent to 

 channels in the shallow areas often used by manatees for feeding 

 and resting. Also, since shallow waters may prevent manatees 

 from diving beneath oncoming boats, such an approach may 

 decrease the number of collisions with boats. The Commission 

 believes that the "channel-exempt" approach to boat speed 

 regulation merits further examination. Therefore, it was 

 pleased to learn at its December meeting that the Florida 

 Department of Natural Resources was making such an effort 

 along part of the Caloosahatchee River in southwest Florida 

 and also was considering applying the approach elsewhere in 

 the State. 



Development of Marinas and Other Boating Facilities in 

 Manatee Habitat — Development of new marinas, boat ramps, 

 docks, and other boating facilities in or adjacent to essential 

 manatee habitats increases the likelihood of collisions between 

 manatees and boats and could alter critical habitat components 

 such as sea grass beds and water quality. The Fish and Wildlife 

 Service and the Florida Department of Natural Resources review 

 Federal and State applications for permits to build such facili- 

 ties in navigable waters to ensure that adverse effects on 

 manatees and manatee habitat are avoided. However, the number 

 of permit applications exceeds the ability of agencies to 

 review them. 



During the Commission's December 1987 meeting, represen- 

 tatives of the Fish and Wildlife Service and the Florida Depart- 

 ment of Natural Resources discussed two approaches being con- 

 sidered to improve the review process for permits for boating 

 facilities in manatee habitat. First, under the Florida Growth 

 Management Act of 1985, counties and municipalities in Florida 

 are required to develop local growth management plans which 

 incorporate measures to control new boating facilities and 

 protect wildlife. The Florida Department of Natural Resources 

 and the Fish and Wildlife Service are providing local govern- 

 ments with relevant information and advice on planning provi- 

 sions for protecting manatees, including guidance on the 

 development of new marinas. It is hoped that these planning 

 requirements, when fully implemented, will reduce the number 

 of boating facility proposals that pose threats to manatees 

 and their habitat. 



The second approach to strengthening the review of permit 

 applications is development of a computer-based geographic 

 information system. Such a system would facilitate review by 

 integrating, mapping, and making readily available information 

 on a local geographic area. Such a system might include data 

 on: manatee distribution and habitat use patterns; the loca- 

 tions and numbers of boat-related manatee mortalities; vessel 



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