This blog is dedicated to the environmental well-being of our Florida coastal habitat.

This blog is
dedicated to the environmental well-being of coastal habitat.

Friday, June 12, 2009

Manatee Protection Alert

Sarasota County and FWC are holding a series of public meetings on reducing
speed zones in Sarasota Bay for manatee protection.
Unfortunately the people who are attending these meetings and signing up to
speak only represent boaters who do not want speeds reduced. There are very
few voices speaking out for non-motorized boaters and manatee protection.

Please attend the next manatee meeting called on Monday, June 15th at 4:00pm
in the large conference room on the 1st floor of the Federal Building (111
South Orange Ave, Sarasota).
Attend the meeting and sign up to give YOUR public comment about protecting
manatees in Sarasota Bay. Slow speed zones protect human life and wildlife.
Let the government officials know YOUR thoughts for balance in the plan.
Please see public comments from last meeting attached as well as a map of
zones to be considered. Zones b5-c6 through the heart of Sarasota will be
voted on at Monday's meeting.
Please pass this along to anyone else who may be interested in attending the
meeting or interested in speed zone issues.

If you can not attend the meeting please consider writing a letter as your
public input and send Rachel Herman via email rherman@scgov.net or snail
mail to:
Rachel A. Herman
Project Scientist, Resource Protection
Sarasota County Natural Resources
1301 Cattlemen Rd., Bldg. D
Sarasota, FL 34232

Regards,
Julia Burch
Public Outreach Coordinator
Sarasota Bay Estuary Program