Kissimmee Chain of Lakes Management plan on WRAC agenda for 11/6

[Converted]

Sorry for the late notice. I've been swamped.

The on going saga of the KCOL management plan takes its next turn at the full WRAC tomorrow morning in WPB at SFWMD HQ. It is the second presentation item on the agenda. There is a public comment period. The land owners are expected to show. We could use a good turnout.

[N. Cook]

I will be there.

[Converted]

The "staff recommendation" passed the Water Resources Advisory Commission with a unanimous approval. It will be on the Governing Board Agenda on Dec 2nd and if approved will go to FWC for rule making. FWC has indicated that they will get the rules passed in time to have the areas open for the '09/'10 hunting season.

A few bullet points on what was approved;

Property will be established by FWC as a managed hunt area
Designated hiking and kayaking trails
Adopt statewide hunting seasons
Hog hunting to be permitted 24/7/365 using legal methods
Hog dogs and retrievers permitted/deer dogs not permitted
Prohibit harvest of antlerless deer
West shore and East shore open to small game, turkey, waterfowl, and hog hunting with shotgun only (no deer)
Northwest shore open to all hunting but shotgun only
Rough Island open to all hunting
Maintain permit area of Rough Island and closed area of Ike Hammock
Maintain mitigation tract as no hunting
Johnson Island open to hunting.
Airboat use permitted +/- 90% of the Johnson island marsh (only during hunting season)
Durasdo open to small game, turkey, waterfowl, and hog hunting (no deer)

[N. Cook]

Folks....UW-F has been in this "negotiation" between competing stakeholders, including land owners who wanted no hunting along their fences on public land they just sold to the SFWMD at great profit and anti-hunters, ie the SIERRA CLUB, for two years. We had a seat on the original KISSIMMEE CHAIN OF LAKES RECREATION CONFLICT RESOLUTION CMTE. where we helped deadlock the final vote to prevent the anti-hunting forces from prevailing on several issues.

This sent the issue to the SFWMD Recreation Cmte. where UW-F has good representation and after a combative couple of meetings with those opposing hunting in one way or another on up to the WRAC where David did a good job of representing all recreators and several of us spoke to the hunting issue, once again with "all the usual suspects" on hand.

The "hunting" contingent gave up some hard points to "move" the major portion of the project along. Despite further opposition from those opposing hunting the full WRAC saw the best way as the comprimise the hunters supported and voted it to the SFWMD Board of Governors....

WELL DONE!

The real success is the bringing into some order the hunting regulations around the lake and on adjacent areas, especially some control of the "romp and stomp" that is Gardner/Cobb. Several thousand acres of new hunting area has been gained. UW-F was glad to work with the other hunting sports and airboat groups to obtain this favorable vote.

Now it is on to the SFWMD Governing Board where UW-F will be speaking in support of the WRAC recommendation. You can bet the opponents will "SHOW" again...but we should prevail...

[David B]

Having attended several of the past WRAC meetings witnessing the opposition's rants and illogical wants based on nothing more than feelings. I am amazed to hear things finished up so smoothly.
Here again, they would utilize these lands for the very same purposes they wanted us restricted from.
UWF members (David L. and Newton C.) spent many long hours fighting for us. Thank you for seeing this through. The oppotunites for lots of different types of hunting are now going to be made available.
When UWF asked for small game hunting, it was intially for duck hunting the areas. With the work put forth, members and non-members will now be able to expand their hunting seasons to include many different species throughout the year.

This a major accomplishment that shows the dedication of this hard working organization and all that it does to better the access and hunting opportunities for the people of Florida.

Thank you for all that you do for us. Somehow that just doesn't seem to day it enough.

David Blood

[D Duck]

Nice job! This is a major win over both the anti's and landowners that wanted to lock consumptive users out of a large piece of public land.