FEDERAL MANAGED AREAS In FLORIDA
Status of Management Plans
Peggy Mathews July04

Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary (FKNMS)
FKNMS Management Plan Revision
According to staff the Draft Revised Management Plan would be released in the fall 2004. The release of the draft plan will be followed by a 60 day written comment period, public hearings, and submission of the Final Revised Management Plan to the Governor and Cabinet for approval. After approval by the State of Florida, NOAA can begin the NEPA process to amended or develop new federal regulations.

NOAA is sponsoring a conference titled "Connectivity: Science, People and Policy in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary". The conference will be held August 19-21, 2004 in Key West.

Gulf Islands National Seashore (GINS)
General Management Plan Environmental Impact Statement
The GUIS held a public scooping meeting at the Park Headquarters on June 8, 2004. In the GUIS newsletter, boating is described as an "influence" that is impacting resources. It continues to say, "Without strategies to address these influences, it will be difficult for the national seashore staff to protect this ecosystem."

Nina Kelson, GUIS staff, stated the November newsletter would outline the process and time line for the development of the Plan.
To get on the mailing list:
Email: guis_superintendent@nps.gov

or mail:
Superintendent
Gulf Islands National Seashore
1801 Gulf Breeze Parkway
Gulf Breeze, FL 32562
850/934-2600

Follow the planning process:
http://planning.nps.gov/plans.cfm

Personal Watercraft Environmental Assessment
The National Park Service’s schedule for GUIS PWC rule making:
After a conversation with Nina Kelson, Assistant Manager of GINS, it became apparent that GUIS would be closed to PWC next year, 2006 and beyond. Nina stated that the NPS would (possibly) release a draft rule by the end of 2004. The release would be followed by a 60-day comment period. Notice in the Federal Register of the Final Rule with an effective date follows "consideration of the comments" on the draft rule, however no time frame was mentioned.

The Preferred Alternative is unacceptable. In Mississippi, the Preferred Alternative creates a Flat Wake Zone (undefined) one-half mile around the offshore islands. One half mile is an excessive distance to idle when you are 10 miles offshore in the Gulf of Mexico.

The Flat Wake Zone in Florida is 300 yards from any seashore boundary. In some areas 300 yards would put PWC out of the GUIS and into the ICW. In addition, the Flat Wake Zone creates safety issues requiring PWC to go slower than other vessels in the same area. Also the alternative states a PWC cannot approach a person in the water within 200 feet. This eliminates towing by PWC and technically being able to pickup a PWC passenger.

With Blue Water Network opposed to the "weak" Preferred Alternative and the PWC industry citing the opposite position, the Final Rule will be challenged. The legal challenge could prolong the closure for years to come. GUIS already has been closed to PWC for 2 ½ years.

Biscayne Bay National Park
General Management Plan
Biscayne Bay National Park released Five Draft Management Alternatives developed for the General Management Plan Revision. All of the alternatives include very complex management zoning schemes, except the No Action Alternative #1.

The public comment period on the Alternatives is closed. Currently, the NPS is developing a draft management plan. The release date is known.

Here some concerns from a preliminary review of the Preferred Alternative:

Seven of the eight management zones states, "Vessel type, size and speed could or might be regulated". The eighth zone is a No Entry Zone.

All of the draft action alternatives propose a Non-Combustion Engine Use Zone that extends ~½ to 1 mile from shore or to the 3’ depth contour.

The Park has identified Alternative 4 as its preliminary preferred alternative. There are two large areas identified as Non-Combustion Engine Use Zones that measure ~ 2 1/2 miles by 4 miles or 10 square miles.

In addition, a Slow Speed Zone (not a manatee zone) is 7 miles long and extends ~ ¾ mile from Elliot Key bay side shoreline.

Other concerns included, marking and enforcement of the proposed zones.

To monitor the planning process:
http://www.nps.gov/bis/gmp/newsletter.htm 

click on Newsletter 3 for the map of the Alternatives, also click on the Management Zone Descriptions.

Everglades National Park (ENP)
General Management Plan
The ENP Newsletter #2, stated motorboats weren’t going to be banned but managed by restricting visitor use levels and access to the park. You can access the ENP Newsletter #2, through http://www.nps.gov/ever/gmp/gmp_newsletter_index.htm

ENP management prescriptions and preliminary management alternatives will be published for public review in the fall 2004.

Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge
Comprehensive Conservation Plan
The draft CCP plan will be released for public comment by December 2004. http://merrittisland.fws.gov