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FWC sponsors online anchoring survey

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britinusa
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USA
5404 Posts

Initially Posted - 11/24/2014 : 14:21:57

I have been actively responding to requests to get involved in the ongoing debates about changes to the Florida Anchoring ordinances.

But I must say this is the most professional survey that I have seen on this subject.

Florida is probably setting the base line for most other states regarding anchoring restrictions and also is one that has the most to forfeit if only local municipalities (owned by the 1%'ers) are allowed to set the rules.

FWC sponsors online anchoring survey working with partners

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is sponsoring an online public survey as part of its continued partnerships with local governments and boaters. The survey, which is accessible at MyFWC.com, discusses anchoring issues in state waters within local jurisdictions and potential ways to resolve conflicts.

After analyzing input from public meetings held in Tallahassee, Vero Beach and Bradenton, staff at FWC produced a survey to solicit widespread feedback on this complex subject.

“The survey will provide an invaluable opportunity to gauge public sentiment,” said Maj. Richard Moore, leader of FWC’s Boating and Waterways Section. “The feedback provided will be of value to any potential legislative process in the future.”

To take part in the survey, visit http://publish.fwc.state.fl.us/boating/anchoring-mooring/
For more information on boating in Florida, visit MyFWC.com/Boating.

Please consider taking the Survey.

Thanks.

Paul

Edited by - on

Davy J
Master Marine Consultant

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1511 Posts

Response Posted - 11/24/2014 : 15:03:49

quote:
To take part in the survey, visit http://publish.fwc.state.fl.us/boating/anchoring-mooring/

Link doesn't work for me........

Edited by - on

Davy J
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Response Posted - 11/24/2014 : 15:55:47

I found the survey at the FWC site. The responses to the questions were very similar to the questionnaire at the meetings. I think that they are worded in a way that leads the respondent to pick certain answers.

They keep bringing up derelict boats and boats that are a "danger" to launch ramps and such. However, as I travel around I rarely see that as the case. Certain municipalities just want to be able to shoo you away.

In the comments section I tried to relay my thoughts that any anchoring restrictions should be state-wide, set by the state and not by local governments.

ETA: good link:
http://myfwc.com/boating/anchoring-mooring

Edited by - Davy J on 11/24/2014 16:00:35

Dave5041
Former Mainsheet Editor

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3758 Posts

Response Posted - 11/24/2014 : 20:58:59

Paul, I agree that Florida appears to be leading the way in waterway management. I commend their ongoing effort. As a winter resident I try to stay up to date through FWC's website and mailing list. The survey seemed well structured with adequate opportunity for feedback.

Edited by - on

Davy J
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1511 Posts

Response Posted - 11/25/2014 : 02:31:51

My comments left at FWC you tube page:

Major Richard Moore and others at the FWC continue on with the agenda of restricting your anchoring rights. Even though 98% of all attendees at the workshops spoke up and voiced their opposition to local anchoring restrictions, they continue on with “concepts” that are designed to take your rights away. If you own a boat, in Florida or elsewhere, my recommendation is that you “strongly disagree” with these “concepts” and tell the FWC that anchoring restrictions should be set at the state level not by local municipalities. Otherwise, homeowners in Miami Beach and elsewhere will just call the FWC to tell you to move your boat when you anchor in “their “ view.

link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7sC2aaZvzcw

Edited by - Davy J on 11/25/2014 02:37:53

britinusa
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Response Posted - 11/25/2014 : 04:35:35

IMHO The FWC Survey provided the option for us to recommend that the restrictions should be set statewide.

I'm not sure that any restrictive laws should differ between states, but they certainly should not differ between municipalities.

Among the other questions in the survey, the FWC is asking if we felt that any statewide restrictions should be available via a smart phone app that indicated those restrictions. I think that is a service that should be available now! Certainly the statewide restrictions data should be made available to the GPS mapping device manufacturers. There are areas of restriction right now, for example protected sea grass beds, and they are not clearly marked on charts or GPS chart plotters.

The main point in my opinion is that as many boaters as possible respond. You can be certain that every marina, waterside resident, municipal office, and more will participate, so it's really important for boaters to respond.

As indicated by this past election, Apathy is worth more than millions of dollars in TV ads to those that want to squeeze their agenda into legislation.

Here is the direct link to the survey
https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/AnchoringSurvey

Paul

Edited by - on

Davy J
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1511 Posts

Response Posted - 11/25/2014 : 05:04:46

quote:
The main point in my opinion is that as many boaters as possible respond. You can be certain that every marina, waterside resident, municipal office, and more will participate, so it's really important for boaters to respond.

I agree with this.

The problem is that they are not listening. I attended two of the Anchoring Pilot program workshops back in '08 or '09 and I also attended the last anchoring work shop in Bradenton.

Person after person got up, spoke and voiced their opposition to the restrictions. In the Pilot programs, time limits for boats at anchor were strongly opposed, yet they showed up in some of the areas in the pilot program.

At the Bradenton workshop, almost everyone in attendance opposed local governments restrictions. But the FWC has changed very few of the "concepts" that were presented there. And seem to want to continue with allowing local governments to impose restrictions.

If they would just focus on derelict and abandoned boats that would be justified. However, they keep trying to throw in restrictions on boats that are cruising around the state.

Edited by - on

Dave5041
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3758 Posts

Response Posted - 11/25/2014 : 08:39:21

Keeping in mind that not all boaters are considerate and responsible, I can accept some restrictions. Statewide uniformity is laudable, but there can be situations justifying some local variation. Requiring comprehensive impact studies and and state level review of applications for variance is probably all we can get. Included "safe harbor" requirements overriding local restriction offers boaters some protection. Nighttime anchoring can infringe on the privacy of land owners, and I don't consider 150 feet to be to onerous. One of my neighbors built their house about 150 feet from ours with pine trees between. That is as close as I want even though we are friends with them. Having strangers park an RV that close for 60 days would be unsettling. One of the responsibilities of having rights and entitlements is honoring the rights and entitlements of others. Look at congress if you don't believe that society functions by compromise. As for derelict boats, designating and removing derelicts is a cumbersome, environmentally unsound and expensive process and is managed much more effectively by prevention. I am not interested in arguing these points, just offering my thoughts on a few points to reflect my general position on the concept; I lay no claim on truth.

edit, added thought: If congress had chosen to fund the Coast Guard instead of just increasing the scope of their responsibility, waterway management might still have been a federal issue.

Edited by - Dave5041 on 11/25/2014 08:43:03

Davy J
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Response Posted - 11/25/2014 : 08:49:57

quote:
and I don't consider 150 feet to be to onerous

One of the problems with set-backs is that it will make some safe anchorages either unusable, or the amount of boats that will try to fit into the "useable area" will make the anchorage then unsafe. Most people will try to anchor farther away than that anyway. BTW, the original language was using 300'. My neighbors across my canal are certainly closer than those numbers.

Edited by - on

jduck00
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313 Posts

Response Posted - 11/27/2014 : 06:41:29

Survey taken

Edited by - on

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