HomeMy WebLinkAboutDocumentation_Workshop_Tab 01_10/31/2016 Jupiter Narrows "No Wake" Extension
A community led project to extend the "no wake" zo�e in the India� River Lagoon 4,350 ft from the bridge at S. Beach
Road (County Road 707/S.R. 707) where the current No Wake Zone ends, to the northern boundary of Coral Cove Park.
Background
A"No Wake Zone" is an area within a body of water where a boating ��' �`
speed limit is applied that requires vessels to operate at or below idle ;�� -
speed; the minimum speed that allows the operator to maintain steering ' r ., �� ,
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and make headway. No wake zones are established for many different `.-� ",;-
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reasons from public safery to wildtife, resource and infrastructure '''`�� `. w �
protedion. Currently a no wake zone exists for the Jupiter Narrows f ' !:
stretch of the Indian River Lagoon from the S. Beach Road (C.R. 707/S.R. �
707 brid e south and be ond the confluence with the Loxahatchee River• �,'�`° "' �-� � �
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the Inter-coastal watervvay channel is exempt from this restriction but .,
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limited to "minimum wake". North of the S. Beach Road bridge the `�"- .
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boating speed restrictions change to "minimum wake" outside the y,� ,��: ;' `�,
channel and "25 mph" within. These restridions are established in Florida � .�s�` �
Law at Section 68G22.009(1) and 68D-24.017. � `�'� �
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Issue i �' � '
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E3oat acceleration and dec�aration between the boating restriction zones, ��'
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along with the accompanying boat wake presents issues for public safety, �,�;: __-.„� �
especially given the popularity of �`��'� � E� `� :�
swimming, snorkeling, kayaking and ��� '`� '
paddelboarding from the Indian River �' �
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Lagoon side of Coral Cove Park and from
the Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse Outstanding $� _ ���
'? �R�M�N Natural Area. In addition to this principal '�,,r� � �
SLOW SPEED concern, boat wake contributes to ��,.�
NINiMt7k WANE ' �
-�i accelerated shoreline erosion, loss of ���� �'
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mangrove islands, adverse impacts to � ��' �'�'" °
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special status species (lohnsons seagrass, `�c; �' "
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= West Indian manatee etc.) and negative
�`" .; � impacts to community infrastructure and ' + '� ��
�:... - ro ert e. �.
p p y( g., condominium docks and �
privately owned boats). �,�,: '
Proposed Solution
Extend the existing no wake zone from S. Beach Road bridge to the
northern boundary of Coral Cove Park, an extension of approximately 4,350ft (0.8 miles). In addition, extend the
rninimum wake in channel speed restriction for the Inter-coastal Waterway the same distance. This extension requires
either modification of the existing Florida Law by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission or may potentially be
achieved through implementation of local ordinances.
Benefits of the Project
The primary benefit of the project is increased safety for users of the Indian River Lagoon, especially those non-
motorized users accessing this stretch of the Jupiter Narrows from Coral Cove Park, the lupiter Inlet Lighthouse
Outstanding Natural Area and local residences. The benefits extend to motorized boaters who often have to deal with
boat traffic, non-motorized use of the waterway, and waiting for bridge openings while other boaters are potentially
operating at speeds of up to 25 mph. In addition to the primary benefit the reduced speed and wake would aid efforts
to stabilize the shorelines of the Indian River Lagoon, protect mangroves — specifically the heavily eroded islands on the
east side of the channel, improve critical habitat for special status species and protect property and infrastrudure along
this section of the lagoon. Furthermore, this projed may facilitate future projects for paddling/snorkeling water trails
connecting park/natural areas.
Interested Parties
The following interested parties are, or potentially need to be engaged in this effort;
Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission - Responsibility for rulemaking needed to modify the boating restriction
boundaries, shared responsibility for enforcement, and interest in Wildlife and Habitat protection and boater/user
safety.
Polm Beach County — Different divisions responsible for management of Coral Cove Park and shared managed of the
Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse Outstanding Natural Area including protection of resources and visitor safety in these locations.
Also share responsibility for enforcement.
� Bureau of Land Managemenr— Shared management responsibility for management of the Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse
Outstanding Natural Area.
Village of Tequesta — Project area and impacted residents within municipal boundaries. Also, shared responsibility for
enforcement.
Other Municipalities — Jupiter Inlet Colony and the Town of Jupiter adjacent to project area.
Condominium Associations — Residents/private property directly affeded by the projed included The Cliveden, LaMar,
Sea Mist and Island House.
The Beoch Road Association — Group representing private property interests along South Beach Road, including the
management and maintenance of some elements of the right-of-way (e.g., landscaping etc.)
Morine Industry Association — Representatives for the marine industrial including recreation boaters.
Additional Information
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For additional information about this project proposal,
please contact: " €
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Doug Frazer, Island House Condominium Association `s � 1 ��
President by phone at (561) 252-4914 or by email at F� a �� '
frazersales@earthlink.net or Peter De Witt, Program "1�"�°"`�~~�� +`�}
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Manager, Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse Outstanding Natural �•'
Area at (561) 295-5955 or by email at pdewitt@blm.QOV. ` `" °° -
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