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HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution_07-89/90_02/08/1990 RESOLUTION NO. 7 -89/90 A RESOLUTION OF THE VILLAGE COUNCIL OF THE VILLAGE OF TEQUESTA, PALM BEACH COUNTY, FLORIDA, REQUESTING THE PALM BEACH COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS TO REJECT THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE INTRACOASTAL WATERWAY SPEED ZONE COMMITTEE TO EXPLORE THE POTENTIAL OF PROVIDING AN EXEMPTED SPEED ZONE FOR JET SKIS IN NORTH JUPITER SOUND; AND REQUESTING IMPLEMENTATION OF AN IDLE /NO WAKE SPEED ZONE WITHIN A 300 FOOT BUFFER ZONE ON EITHER SIDE OF THE INTRACOASTAL WATERWAY WITHIN THIS AREA APPLICABLE TO ALL WATERCRAFT TO EFFECT BOATER SAFETY, PROTECT MANATEES, OTHER THREATENED SPECIES AND VITAL SEAGRASS BEDS. WHEREAS, it has come to the attention of the Village Council of Tequesta that on February 1, 1990, the Intracoastal Waterway Speed Zone Committee, an advisory citizen's committee to the Palm Beach County Board of County Commissioners, voted to recommend reviewing the potential of providing an exempted speed zone for jet skis in North Jupiter Sound, north of Coral Cove Park, provided that an area containing no seagrasses could i be found therein; and WHEREAS, the Intracoastal Waterway Channel will remain available to all watercraft for a myriad of boating activities; and WHEREAS, this same citizens committee has voted to recommend the implementation of an Idle /No Wake Speed Zone in a 300 foot wide buffer zone on either side of the Intracoastal Waterway channel within this same area for all watercraft, exempting non -motor driven sailboats under 25 feet in length; and WHEREAS, the exemption of jet skis from this same Idle /No Wake Speed Zone within a 300 foot buffer zone on either side of the Intracoastal Waterway within the Jupiter Sound would create confusion, compliance and enforcement problems for boaters and enforcement officials granting special treatment to jet skis; and WHEREAS, providing said exemptions for the North Jupiter • Sound area would be contrary to the designation given by Martin County for this same area within its jurisdiction by the Martin County Vessel Control, Water Safety and Manatee Protection Ordinance creating further confusion, compliance and enforcement problems; and WHEREAS, the unregulated and uncontrolled usage of water- craft, including jet skis, within this specific geographic area is one of the primary reasons for the destruction of shoreline and bottom vegetation critical to a viable aquatic habitat necessary for the continued survival of the Manatee and other threatened species; and WHEREAS, the area designated herein from the C -707 Bridge to the Martin County line lies within the Indian River Lagoon Aquatic Preserve which has not yet been substantially altered by development projects except for the aforementioned diminishment of vital seagrass beds warranting efforts to enhance and protect this aquatic environment; and WHEREAS, seagrasses are a vital food source to Manatees, a species designated as endangered; and WHEREAS, Palm Beach County, within the Conservation Element of its 1989 Comprehensive Plan, has stated its intention to protect listed plant and animal species and habitat of significant value to existing populations of listed species and to further amend all existing codes, ordinances and regulations Page 2 - associated with development, redevelopment and commercial . agricultural activities to ensure that endangered and threatened species and species of special concern and their habitats are adequately protected; and WHEREAS, many modern day recreational pursuits, including jet skis, can and do have a potentially deleterious environmental impact on plant and animal life; and WHEREAS, Palm Beach County within the Recreation and Open Space Element of its 1989 Comprehensive Plan has designated Coral Cove Park, located within this same geographic area, as a Passive Recreational Beach Park wherein the user is to interact with nature and natural resources as opposed to destroying the same; and WHEREAS, the Department of Natural Resources, the custodian of those State lands which will constitute the vast majority of Coral Cove Park upon its scheduled expansion has recommended prohibiting jet skis north of the Jupiter Inlet - -to the- - Intracoastal Waterway Speed Zone Committee; and • WHEREAS, to accept and implement an exempted speed zone for jet skis in North Jupiter Sound would be in contravention of the stated objectives and policies of Palm Beach County relative to protection of endangered and threatened species. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY the Village Council of the Village of Tequesta, Florida: Section 1. The above recitals are hereby confirmed and ratified. Section 2. The Village Council of Tequesta, Florida urges the Board of County Commissioners of Palm Beach County to reject any recommendation to provide an exempted speed zone for jet skis in North Jupiter" Sound, in that such a policy would be confusing and unenforceable while being in contravention of stated Palm Beach County intentions to protect and enhance endangered and threatened species and their habitat of significant value, specifically seagrass beds vital to the survival of the endangered Manatee species. . Section 3. The Board of County Commissioners for Palm Beach County is urged to designate all of Jupiter Sound from the C -707 Bridge to the Martin County line as an Idle /No Wake Speed Zone within a 300 foot wide buffer zone on either side of the Intracoastal Waterway, exempting only the boat channel. Section 4. The Board of County Commissioners for Palm Beach County through the appropriate agency thereof is requested to expeditiously increase enforcement of rules and regulations relative to operation and launching of watercraft within the area of Jupiter Sound lying north of the C -707 Bridge to the Martin County Line in order to provide for proper boater safety and to mitigate negative environmental impacts to vital aquatic habitats necessary for the continued survival of the endangered Manatee species. Section 5. The Village Clerk is hereby directed to provide the Palm Beach County Board of County Commissioners, Palm Beach County Department of Environmental Resources Management, Palm Beach County Parks and Recreation Department, staff members of the Department of Natural Resources assigned with oversight of Coral Cove Park and Manatee protection, and the Beach Road Association with copies of this Resolution for their review and consideration. Page 3 - THE FOREGOING RESOLUTION was offered by Councilmember William E. Burckart , who moved its adoption. The Resolution was seconded by Ron T. Mackail and upon being put to a vote, the vote was as follows: FOR ADOPTION AGAINST ADOPTION Joseph N. Capretta Earl L. Collings Edward C. Howell William E. Burckart Ron T. Mackail The Mayor thereupon dec ar the Resolution duly passed and adopted this day of A.D. 1990. MXYOR OF TEQUESTA o PA N Joseph N. Ca etta P T'1I'�c;ST: ' Village C rk