The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink AboutDocumentation_Workshop_Tab 01_10/31/2016 Jupiter Narrows "No Wake" Extension A community led project to extend the "no wake" zone in the Indian 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 ��'' J ,� � speed limit is applied that requires vessels to operate at or below idle • � . �: � speed; the minimum speed that allows the operator to maintain steering ';,,�. ��,;�-; and make headway. No wake zones are established for many different � .'�� '"� .. reasons from public safety to wildlife, resource and infrastructure `''�:°� ti ° � protection. Currently a no wake zone exists for the Jupiter Narrows � � ," a stretch of the Indian River Lagoon from the S. Beach Road (C.R. 707/S.R. � uth and be ond the confluence with the Loxahatchee River• � A ` �+ 707) bndge so y , � � the Inter-coastal waterway channel is exempt from this restriction but "` '�� ,,'' ; • }� � 2: ,,,.:.`�x ..� limited to "minimum wake". North of the S. Beach Road bridge the �° • ,� x s�°r., 6 .. . Y � boating speed restrictions change to "minimum wake" outside the ,; ;�� „� channel and "25 mph" within. These restrictions are established in Florida ,��` '� Law at Section 68G22.009(1) and 68D-24A17. � ' � � ,;� -,.� . � � -_ Issue " � � ` � � E3oat acceleration and declaration between the boating restriction zones, r �"� �.` alon� with the accompanying boat wake presents issues for public safety, �,�; �` especially given the popularity of � ' � �� -�� swimming, snorkeling, kayaking and ' �* , . . � . .h . . �� paddelboarding from the Indian River `_ r � r�,; f �, Lagoon side of Coral Cove Park and from _ the Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse Outstanding � s � . M�H Natural Area. In addition to this principal s�ow s��ec, concem, boat wake contributes to �� M�HiMUU ;ar,r ��- s _—�i accelerated shoreline erosion, loss of � ;: .� mangrove islands, adverse impads to � F �,`�'� ,� special status species (Johnsons seagrass, ��y F �,�•'��' "�� - West Indian manatee etc.) and negative �'�� .:� .s. impacts to community infrastructure and t � f � property (e.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 �chieved 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 Jupiter 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 proted property and infrastructure along this section of the lagoon. Furthermore, this project may facilitate future projects for paddling/snorkeling water trails connecting park/natural areas. Intereste� �arties 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. Palm 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. eureau of Land Management— Shared management responsibility for management of the Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse Outstanding Natural Area. Villoge of Tequesta — Project area and impacted residents within municipal boundaries. Also, shared responsibility for enforcement. Other Municipalities — Jupiter Inlet Colony and the Town of lupiter adjacent to project area. Condominium Associations — Residents/private property directly affected by the project 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.) Marine Industry Association — Representatives for the marine industrial including recreation boaters. Additional I nformation For additionat information about this project proposal, � please contact: :�€.�� , Doug Frazer, Island House Condominium Association t ', � f� President by phone at (561) 252-4914 or by email at �'� ` x . f �sWi e�., 'y':.�-< i".l'...... � � fr azersales@earthlink.net or Peter De Witt, Program ``'� �� '� � �, . � � Manager, Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse Outstanding Natural �. �� ; � I i, R Area at (561) 295-5955 or by email at �dewitt@blm.�o_v. ~ ' ~ , � � • '