N. Cook
02-04-2006, 02:11 PM
The meeting was in Basinger Sat. am. There was a large crowd, several times the normal number.
The airboat group expressed a grievance of signing blocking them from shallow water and a way to get to the bank while regular motor boats could go right to the bank. This will be reviewed.
Dog hunting was opposed by all groups, including some who hunt with dogs elsewhere. The consensus was the property is too small and narrow. A landowner said he had shot several that had bothered his animals.
Fred Davis reviewed the agreement to keep the Lake Kissimmee Shady Oaks boat ramp open while at least one additional ramp will be constructed. He estimated the Shady Oak ramp would reopen within two months. Access was being prepared.
A new ramp will be constructed just east of 98 at the Istokpoga Canal.
The consensus among the enforcement officers, biologists and hunters was that duck season had been a success, with good and bad periods, but overall good, and that very few violations were reported.
UW-F supported the need to reveiw signage on the river and lake and to take into consideration the Sovereign Lands rulings......basically: do not place marshes along the lake or river banks off limits to the public. Move the signs back.
Fred Davis made an announcement that will not be well received but there seems to be no recourse. The need for a parcel of land on the river crutial to the restoration owned by Lykes could be settled only by giving Lykes a deed to the Nicodemas Slough property. This means Nicodemas Slough will revert to private property and will not be public land. This may be effective as early as next month.
The management of the upper chain of lakes marshes and land will be discussed in a series of public workshops. The purpose is to determine the status of Gardner/Cobb and other areas. There is concern for the resource under the current hands off management. Interested parties are asking for some protection.
There are three basic positions: 1. Leave it as it is, no management. 2. Convert the area into a PUBLIC USE AREA with a minimum of regulations to preserve the resouce. No quotas or special hunts. 3. Convert the area into a WMA with tight restrictions.
UW-F has been in the preliminary discussions of what to do with the areas and has lobbied for number 2.
Fred Davis announce an action that will be well received. The District is doing an inventory of lands not open for public use....hunting included....and hopes to open more. A lot of these lands are in Broward and Dade county and are abandoned farm land. Small Game Areas are possible, especially for dove. It is understood these lands are to be used for other projects in the future, but the idea is to use them while they are available.
The next meeting is in 90 days.
The airboat group expressed a grievance of signing blocking them from shallow water and a way to get to the bank while regular motor boats could go right to the bank. This will be reviewed.
Dog hunting was opposed by all groups, including some who hunt with dogs elsewhere. The consensus was the property is too small and narrow. A landowner said he had shot several that had bothered his animals.
Fred Davis reviewed the agreement to keep the Lake Kissimmee Shady Oaks boat ramp open while at least one additional ramp will be constructed. He estimated the Shady Oak ramp would reopen within two months. Access was being prepared.
A new ramp will be constructed just east of 98 at the Istokpoga Canal.
The consensus among the enforcement officers, biologists and hunters was that duck season had been a success, with good and bad periods, but overall good, and that very few violations were reported.
UW-F supported the need to reveiw signage on the river and lake and to take into consideration the Sovereign Lands rulings......basically: do not place marshes along the lake or river banks off limits to the public. Move the signs back.
Fred Davis made an announcement that will not be well received but there seems to be no recourse. The need for a parcel of land on the river crutial to the restoration owned by Lykes could be settled only by giving Lykes a deed to the Nicodemas Slough property. This means Nicodemas Slough will revert to private property and will not be public land. This may be effective as early as next month.
The management of the upper chain of lakes marshes and land will be discussed in a series of public workshops. The purpose is to determine the status of Gardner/Cobb and other areas. There is concern for the resource under the current hands off management. Interested parties are asking for some protection.
There are three basic positions: 1. Leave it as it is, no management. 2. Convert the area into a PUBLIC USE AREA with a minimum of regulations to preserve the resouce. No quotas or special hunts. 3. Convert the area into a WMA with tight restrictions.
UW-F has been in the preliminary discussions of what to do with the areas and has lobbied for number 2.
Fred Davis announce an action that will be well received. The District is doing an inventory of lands not open for public use....hunting included....and hopes to open more. A lot of these lands are in Broward and Dade county and are abandoned farm land. Small Game Areas are possible, especially for dove. It is understood these lands are to be used for other projects in the future, but the idea is to use them while they are available.
The next meeting is in 90 days.