N. Cook
06-08-2006, 06:25 AM
The meeting today was dominated by the manatee issue....fun to watch the antics, yellow banners, stomping on a symbolic manatee....when the speaker did that the people up front all ducked....a just before the vote emergency alarm sending all into the parking lot....(the hotel said it was a false alarm from the kitchen). All just to change the status from endangered to threatened.
Obviously, with several more thousand manatees reported by the biologists, the Commissioners bravely passed the new rule.
Then, just as often happens, in the fine print I see "PROPOSED SAFE HAVENS". And what is listed? Big Mud and Little Mud Creeks in St. Lucie Ct.
Now Big Mud is already off limits next to the atomic power station, but Little Mud Creek runs to a bridge where there is an unimproved boat ramp many use to access the Indian River. It is the only ramp on the east bank between the two causeways.
I did a quick "off the floor" conference with Nick Wiley, FWC Director of Hunting, and he came back with assurances "staff" did not support a "change at this time", Just to be sure, I was able to speak to the Commission during Public Comments and put on record our strong opposition to any change.
The area now is Slow No Wake, the possible SAFE HAVEN rules could run to NO MOTORS or even a ban on access.
The meeting today has a presentation by Nick Wiley on the FUTURE OF HUNTING IN FL. I will be speaking following him in support of the program and outline the many groups such as UW-F who are on the commitee.
DUCK HUNTING NEWS....very little, but the paper normally distributed at this meeting says that the state FWC expects no changes in the Federal framework for next season and the season, bag limits, etc. should be the same.
Obviously, with several more thousand manatees reported by the biologists, the Commissioners bravely passed the new rule.
Then, just as often happens, in the fine print I see "PROPOSED SAFE HAVENS". And what is listed? Big Mud and Little Mud Creeks in St. Lucie Ct.
Now Big Mud is already off limits next to the atomic power station, but Little Mud Creek runs to a bridge where there is an unimproved boat ramp many use to access the Indian River. It is the only ramp on the east bank between the two causeways.
I did a quick "off the floor" conference with Nick Wiley, FWC Director of Hunting, and he came back with assurances "staff" did not support a "change at this time", Just to be sure, I was able to speak to the Commission during Public Comments and put on record our strong opposition to any change.
The area now is Slow No Wake, the possible SAFE HAVEN rules could run to NO MOTORS or even a ban on access.
The meeting today has a presentation by Nick Wiley on the FUTURE OF HUNTING IN FL. I will be speaking following him in support of the program and outline the many groups such as UW-F who are on the commitee.
DUCK HUNTING NEWS....very little, but the paper normally distributed at this meeting says that the state FWC expects no changes in the Federal framework for next season and the season, bag limits, etc. should be the same.