NEWS RELEASE

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

July 22, 1999

CONTACT: Denise L. Benson, FWC, (407) 752-3115 or Jeff Cole, SJRWMD, (407) 897-4307

KENANSVILLE LAKE TO BE TEMPORARILY CLOSED FOR SAFETY

Kenansville Lake in northwest Indian River County will be temporarily closed on May 2 for safety reasons while a portion of an interior berm is removed to allow easier access to the western portion of the lake.

Blasting agents (explosives) will be used to remove about 30 feet of an existing berm within the lake. The temporary closure is being imposed to keep recreational users away from the blasting site and ensure safety to both the public and those involved in the project.

"Currently, during low water, boaters cannot float across this berm but instead must travel to the eastern portion of the lake in order to access open water," said Denise L. Benson, project biologist for the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC). "Once the section of berm is removed, boaters will be able to navigate to the western portion of the lake with relative ease, regardless of water levels."

This project is a cooperative effort of the FWC and the St. Johns River Water Management District (SJRWMD). For more information call Benson at (407) 752-3115 or Jeff Cole, SJRWMD, at (407) 897-4307.