Linda Canzanelli, Superintendent

Biscayne national Park

9700 SW 328 Street
Homestead, FL 33033-5634

 

RE: General management plan

 

Dear Ms. Canzanelli:

 

The Marine Council is a community based advocacy group supporting marine interests in Miami-Dade County. The organization is over 45 years old and has members representing all areas of the marine community. We are pleased to provide you with the following comments regarding the proposed revisions to the General Management plan for Biscayne National Park (BNP). The Marine Council and its members have always supported the protection of our marine resources and were some of the early supporters of the establishment of the BNP. We do however, feel that in some cases undue emphasis has and potentially may be placed on the boater/fisherman in the form of rules, regulation, or restrictions. Our comments are centered around the general premise that:

 

Boaters and fisherman must continue to have access to and be able to use the BNP.

 

Our comments follow in no particular order of importance.

 

  1. Public hearings, workshops and rule development must be utilized prior to ANY access or use restrictions being imposed.

 

  1. We support additional protection for grass flats and other important marine resources through the use of signage or markers. We do not support the wholesale closure of areas as a management method.

 

  1. The soundscape plan, if its development continues, need to have significant input from the boating community. Its development and use should not restrict boating in the BNP. A clear understanding of the criteria used to establish any restrictions resulting from the soundscape plan must be scientifically based and make common sense.

 

  1. Stiltsville should be allowed to exist under the control of the existing owners to ensure the home’s upkeep. Ownership by the BNP, in our opinion, will result it their deterioration and ultimate removable.

 

 

  1. Efforts should be made to allow Biscayne Bay traditions, such as the Columbus Day Regatta, to co-exist with the BNP in a more favorable relationship than has existed in resent years.

 

  1. The BNP should be less aggressive in its attempts to influence local land use decisions.

 

  1. Actions resulting from the settlement of the Manatee lawsuits should not result in the establishment of any “critical habitat” areas within the park just because it is the BNP. Critical habitat should only be established within the BNP, actually anywhere, only if it is scientifically justified.

 

  1. Enforcement activities by BNP personnel are perceived by some to be heavy handed at times and therefore efforts should be made to be more user friendly.

 

  1. It was our understanding that the State retained the right to regulate fisheries within the BNP. We are concerned about the development of a fisheries management plan as a complimentary document to the management plan. We believe a statewide perspective is required for fisheries within BNP.

 

  1. We support the effort to have the BNP manage the Miami Circle site. This management should not result in any additional restrictions on, in or around the Miami River.

 

We look forward to an on-going working relationship with you and your staff as the BNP management plan is developed. We would request that the individuals on the attached list be placed on your mailing list to receive updates and meeting notices. If you have any question please contact us at 305-856-0206. Thank you.

 

 

 

Sincerely;

 

 

 

Phil Everingham, President

The Marine Council

 

 

 

Cc:      Senator Bob Graham

            Representative Ileana Ros-Lehtinen

 

           


Phil Everingham

Merrill-Stevens Dry Dock

1270 N.W. 11th Street

Miami, Florida 33125                  

 

Carl Straw

Professional Marine Assoc.

1323 S.E. 17 Street, Suite 613

Ft. Lauderdale, Florida 33316

 

Carl Liederman

Capt. Harry's Fishing Supply
100 NE 11th Street

Miami, FL 33132

 

Ed Swakon

EAS Engineering, Inc.

55 Almeria Ave.

Coral Gables, FL 33134

 

Nancy Morgan, Executive Director

The Marine Council

PO Box 432463

Miami, Florida 33243