Public Workshops/Meetings/Notices

County Boating Restricted Areas

None at this time

Local Boating Safety Zones Proposed

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that on August 23, 2018, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (Commission) received a complete application from City of Tampa requesting approval of an ordinance to establish a Slow Speed Minimum Wake boating restricted area within Old Tampa Bay adjacent to Courtney Campbell Causeway at Ben T. Davis beach, pursuant to Section 327.46(1)(c), Florida Statutes (F.S.) and Rule 68D-21.004, Florida Administrative Code (F.A.C.).

The Slow Speed Minimum Wake boating restricted area would be within Old Tampa Bay adjacent to Courtney Campbell Causeway at Ben T. Davis beach (see attached map for details).  The City of Tampa contends that the boating safety area is needed for controlled and safer boating conditions within the existing narrow natural fairway adjacent to Ben T. Davis beach.  The City of Tampa is required to provide competent substantial evidence that the ordinance establishing the boating restricted area is necessary to protect the safety of the public.

The Commission has reviewed and approved the City of Tampa’s ordinance application based upon the supporting documentation provided which the Commission has determined meets the required substantial competent evidence threshold.

As required by Rule 68D-21.001(3), F.A.C., the City of Tampa has published as provided by Sections 50.011-.031, F.S., once a week for two consecutive weeks, notice of the public hearing on their ordinance in a newspaper of general circulation in the area affected by the ordinance.

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION: Pursuant to Rules 68D-21.002, and 68D-21.003, F.A.C., comments regarding this request will be accepted no more than 21 calendar days from the date of publication/distribution of this public notice.  Public may provide written comments, recommendations, requests, inquiries, or other correspondence to the Boating and Waterways Section at 620 South Meridian Street, Tallahassee, FL 32399-1600; or by email at waterway.management@myfwc.com. The Commission will conduct a public hearing within the City of Tampa if a written request for such a hearing is received within 21 days following this notice.

DUE DATE: Monday, October 22, 2018 (5:00 PM EST)

ATTACHMENT: Courtney Campbell Causeway City of Tampa

A COPY OF THE APPLICATION CAN BE OBTAINED BY EMAIL (IN PDF FORMAT) OR BY US MAIL.  Please submit your request directly to waterway.management@myfwc.com or contact Boating and Waterways Section at (850) 488-5600.