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FWC APPROVES “NO-ANCHOR” ZONE FOR
MASTED BOATS IN MONROE COUNTY
December 6, 2006
Contact: Dani Moschella, (772) 215-9459
KEY LARGO - The Florida Fish and Wildlife
Conservation Commission (FWC) passed a new rule Wednesday to
create a no-anchoring zone for masted boats between Big Pine Key
and Little Torch Key south of U.S. 1.
The rule resulted from petitions from the Monroe
County Commission and the Utility Board of the City of Key West
after several incidents involving vessel masts that hit power
lines during storms. Such strikes endangered people on the
vessels, affected power to residents of the lower Keys and
caused property damage.
The rule, which applies to all vessels with
masts, provides that if the overhead power lines are removed,
the zone would no longer be in force.
On July 26, 11 private citizens attended a
public workshop in Marathon on the proposed rule.
Representatives from Monroe County, the power company, the Coast
Guard and FWC staff also attended. Of the seven people who
provided comment, three were opposed to the proposed rule, and
four were in support of it. A notice of proposed rule appeared
in the Oct. 27 Florida Administrative Weekly.
FWC Commissioners passed the rule in a unanimous
vote.
The Commission’s two-day meeting is taking place
Dec. 6 and 7 at the Marriott Key Largo, mile marker 103.8. |
