Agenda

Minutes Packet Return

DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT Escambia County Central Office Complex 3363 West Park Place Pensacola, FL 32505 MARINE ADVISORY COMMITTEE DRAFT Meeting Minutes - December 11, 2017


1.				Call the Marine Advisory Committee Meeting to Order The Meeting was called to order at 5:34 p.m.

2.				Attendance Roll Call - Quorum present. MRD was notified by Walt Woodfin and Joe Denmon regarding absence.

3.				Approval of Minutes - No Minutes for November 2017 were available for approval at this time.

4.				10836 Lillian Highway Public Boat Ramp MRD Update: FWC Funding extension until 31 March 2018 in process. Additional testing of Herron Bayou sediments reveals high likelihood for on-site disposal.

5.				Natural Resources Damage Assessment - Oil Spill Restoration & Recovery MRD Update: Phase 1 completed (Casino Reef Site); Phase 2 bids received and Selection Committee reviewing submittals.

6.				New Inshore Reefs at Pensacola Beach MRD Update: Casino Beach Snorkeling & Kayak-fishing/diving Reefs permits are in-hand. Proposals for construction funding submitted for next round of NRDA funding.

7.				Proposed Boating Regulatory Areas in Bayou Garcon, Bayou Grande, Kees Bayou, Old River, and Innerarity Point Park MRD Update: Recommendations for Public Hearings for proposed ordinances for Bayou Garcon, Bayou Grande, Kees Bayou and Innerarity Point Park (as recommended by MAC) will be submitted to Board of County Commissioners in January 2018.

8.				Lionfish Issues/Developments MRD Update: Recent reports of lesions on lionfish throughout the Florida panhandle and elsewhere provide encouraging news regarding natural system control of invasive species.

9.				Navy Point Living Shoreline Project MRD Update: Permit issues have been resolved to allow oyster reefs to be placed at maximum distances offshore. MRD and Water Quality Division staff have conducted thorough site analysis and incorporated public comments into new design (see 3 diagrams, below). Areas with seagrasses and public use have been delineated and no oyster reefs will be installed at these sites.

10.				Vessels Anchored in Bayou Chico MRD Update: Comments and complaints from Bayou Chico residents and business owners/operators indicate potential problems from increased numbers of boats anchored in Bayou Chico. Unattended vessels may sink or break loose and damage other vessels and property. Persons living aboard may be discharging human waste into the degraded waters of the bayou, causing additional water quality problems. MRD has notified FWC and Escambia County law enforcement agencies.

11.				Old Business - None

12.				New Business: Boats Anchored in Bayou Chico MRD Update: MRD has observed and received complaints regarding a sailboat apparently using the dock at Mahogany Mill Public Boat Ramp as “marina” to tie vessel. This blocks public use and can cause safety issue when public is blocked from securing vessels and offloading passengers during the launching and recovery of trailered vessels. Other issues are swimming, fishing and cleaning fish at boat ramps, which create safety hazards, user conflicts and water quality degradation. Parking at boat ramps is limited, therefore parking of vehicles not engaged in boat launching and storage of vehicles and/or trailers at boat ramps prevents access for boating public. Although signage at site informs the policy for authorized use for parking and launching/recovery of vessels, law enforcement can only enforce ordinances (not policies). More research into the specifics of ordinances involving boat ramps needs to be investigated to deal with the boat ramp issues listed above and will be added to the agenda for the next MAC meeting. Other New Business: Artist proposal for artistic reef materials. MRD will provide copies of state and federal permits and guidance regarding materials, stability, and other design issues.

13.				Adjournment Eilene Beard made the motion to adjourn. Kerry Freeland seconded the motion. All voted in favor. The meeting was adjourned at 7:46 p.m.