Latest news with #BoaterFreedomInitiative
Yahoo
14-04-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
'Save Our Boating Rights Florida' spearheads fight to strengthen criteria for Springs Protection Zones
The Brief One group is spearheading the fight to strengthen the criteria for Springs Protection Zones. East coast-based group, Save Our Boating Rights Florida formed last fall in an effort to prevent SPZs in Silver Glen Springs in Marion, Lake, Volusia, counties. A Springs Protection Zone bans vessels from anchoring, mooring, grounding, and beaching. FLORIDA - A local grassroots group is spearheading an amendment to Governor DeSantis' 'Boater Freedom Initiative' to strengthen the criteria for Springs Protection Zones (SPZs). Last Summer the Weeki Wachee River became the first spring to adopt SPZs and remains the only to have them. The area spans 5.5 miles between the Rogers Park Boat Ramp and State Park Spring Head. A Springs Protection Zone bans vessels from anchoring, mooring, grounding, and beaching. A vessel is defined as a boat, houseboat, airboat, paddleboard, canoe, or kayak. Violators could face a $140 fine. It's an effort to preserve vegetation and protect wildlife like manatees. REALATED: New Springs Protection Zones aiming to protect manatees in Weeki Wachee River East coast-based group, 'Save Our Boating Rights Florida', formed last fall in an effort to prevent SPZs in Silver Glen Springs in Marion, Lake, Volusia, counties. Kris Wake Co-Founded the group. She said since being adopted Weeki Wachee, the FWC and HCSO have issued more than 200 warnings for SPZ violations, but no citations. "There's still a lot of community advocates over there [in Weeki Wachee] that they believed that the spring protection zones were going to be the answer, but now they have realized that the problem is still there," she says. Wake said SPZs point the finger at the wrong group. She said, "One of the things they did in Weeki Wachee was they did an impact study, and they found that a majority of the degradation at that time was in-water use. Feet trampling was the issue in Weeki Wachee." Wake cited a 2022 Florida Department of Environmental Protection impact study. The group has since partnered with lawmakers to add an amendment to Gov. Desantis' 'Boater Freedom Initiative', also known as SB 1388. "We are aware that there are multiple layers of degradation, there's multiple things that have caused harm to our springs. In the way that this particular law was written, the only harm that we are addressing at all is harm by vessels," she explained, "We in no way want to remove the spring protection zones off of the toolbelt of FWC. We just wanted to make sure the law isn't so narrow." The amendment more clearly specifies the criteria for future Springs Protection Zones. She said, "One blade of eel grass could be constituted harm. So we need to make sure it's very clear what harm is." The amendment states 'severe harm' to wildlife, water quality, and wetlands predominantly by vessels would qualify for a SPZ. Wake said the bill has one more senate committee to go through before it makes its way to the House floor. CLICK HERE:>>>Follow FOX 13 on YouTube The Source Information for this story was gathered by FOX 13's Jennifer Kveglis. STAY CONNECTED WITH FOX 13 TAMPA: Download the FOX Local app for your smart TV Download FOX Local mobile app: Apple | Android Download the FOX 13 News app for breaking news alerts, latest headlines Download the SkyTower Radar app Sign up for FOX 13's daily newsletter
Yahoo
21-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Florida governor wants Boater Freedom Initiative to ban FWC vessel safety checks
Gov. Ron DeSantis wants to prohibit law enforcement officers from stopping boaters without probable cause, a practice that currently helps them uncover crimes such as impaired boating and fishing violations. Officers currently can stop boaters without probable cause to conduct routine safety checks on equipment such as flares, air horns, life preservers and fire extinguishers. While aboard, officers can make sure drivers are sober and anglers are complying with fishing regulations such as bag limits, size limits and seasonal restrictions. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission would be prohibited from making random stops under the Boater Freedom Initiative, which DeSantis announced in a Feb. 12 news release on his website. But he needs a legislator to file a bill for the 2025 legislative session that begins March 4. "We do not want to have our boaters be unnecessarily interfered with by sometimes well-meaning law enforcement," DeSantis said at the Miami Boat Show on Feb. 13. "There has to be a reason. You can't just do it for kicks." DeSantis said if someone is breaking the law, they will be held accountable, but he didn't explain how. Florida leads the nation in boat ownership, with 1.04 million registered vessels in 2023. It also led the nation in boating crashes, with 712 in 2023, including 56 fatal. Of those, 83% of drivers had no formal boater education, the FWC said. DeSantis wants the FWC to work with local tax collector offices to create a Florida Freedom Boater decal that's good for five years, which boaters would get when they register their vessel. Basically, it works on the honor system. "This decal will indicate to law enforcement that the boater has taken the necessary steps to maintain proper safety requirements," the news release says. FWC currently gives boaters a one-year decal if their vessel passes the officers' safety inspection conducted during a random stop. The governor's office did not return TCPalm's multiple emails and telephone messages seeking details, including which legislator would file a bill for DeSantis. The Legislature would have to pass the Boater Freedom Initiative to make it law. Florida voters last year approved Amendment 2 to the state constitution, making Florida a right-to-hunt-and-fish state, with nearly 6.93 million residents voting yes (67.4%) and 3.35 million voting no (32.6%). FWC board Chair Rodney Barreto said the agency hasn't vetted nor publicly discussed DeSantis' proposal. "It's the agency's policy not to comment on proposed legislation," he said. "There's obviously a lot of public input from both private sector and public officials." Indian River County Sheriff Eric Flowers said safety stops have been a useful tool, but he supports banning them because he is concerned about Fourth Amendment violations of unlawful search and seizure. He equated it to his sheriff's deputies stopping a car just to see if the driver had a working jack or spare tire. "I understand the concern," Flowers said. "It's something we have never abused. I could see other agencies may have done that. I get both sides of the argument. There's no difference. Both are vehicles." Flowers said he supports voluntary inspections resulting in a decal. Amendment 2: Florida voters add 'right to hunt and fish' to state constitution Boating decal: Ends repeated safety checks "There's plenty of reasons for us to pull over vessels" if deputies suspect a crime or violation," Flowers said. "Pulling anyone over and at anytime, that's not right." St. Lucie County Sheriff Richard Del Toro and Martin County Sheriff John Budensiek did not return TCPalm's texts and telephone messages seeking comment. "If there a mandatory vessel safety equipment inspections say every two years, and a compliance decal with an expiration date is issued, than that should eliminate the need for safety compliance stops," said Chapman School of Seamanship instructor Mike Kmiotek, who's also a Port St. Lucie charter fishing captain. "However, I feel that enforcing boating while under the influence laws and fishing regulations is an entirely different subject. Random stops only to check fishing regulation compliance and people boating under the influence should be permitted." Tim O'Hara is TCPalm's environment reporter. Contact him at This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: DeSantis wants Boater Freedom Initiative, Florida Freedom Boater decal
Yahoo
18-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Gov. DeSantis pushes to end random boat safety checks
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis wants to prevent law enforcement from randomly stopping boaters in the name of safety. A proposal called the 'Boater Freedom Initiative' will prohibit boat inspections without probable cause, which were previously conducted as safety compliance checks. >>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<< To this end, the bill will direct the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) to work with tax collectors to proactively provide a 'Florida freedom boater' decal at registration. This decal will indicate to law enforcement that the boater has taken the necessary steps to maintain proper safety requirements. This initiative is something long-time boater James Dowdee supports. [DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks] 'I think it's a good idea because you can't stop a car without probable cause, so why should you be able to stop a boat,' said Dowdee. Local boater Andy Busch said he has mixed feelings about the proposal. 'I like the fact that they are out there for our safety. Of course, make sure everyone is good, but it gets to the point where it is bothersome,' said Busch. [SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter] He said he gets stopped by law enforcement pretty often when he is out on the water. 'Busier times of the year you can count on it,' said Busch. 'You can see them at the boat ramp and you know it's coming.' DeSantis is hoping this proposed law will come up in the legislative session that starts in March. Click here to download the free Action News Jax news and weather apps, click here to download the Action News Jax Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Action News Jax live.
Yahoo
13-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Governor DeSantis seeks to limit 'intrusive' boater safety checks
The Brief Gov. Ron DeSantis wants state lawmakers to pass what he calls the Boater Freedom Initiative. The proposal seeks to prevent local bans on vessels based on fuel type, restrict random FWC safety inspections and establish a new safety inspection decal program. The Florida Legislature is expected to pass it despite concerns from Democrats over public safety and environmental protections. MIAMI, Fla. - Gov. Ron DeSantis has introduced a legislative proposal aimed at safeguarding Floridians' access to boating while limiting certain regulatory measures. Big picture view The proposal, announced Wednesday, seeks to prevent local bans on vessels based on fuel type, restrict random safety inspections by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), and establish a new safety inspection decal program. The initiative, touted by the governor's office as the Boater Freedom Initiative, is designed to protect boaters from what DeSantis describes as overreach by local governments and regulatory agencies. What they're saying "Florida is proud to be the fishing and boating capital of the world," DeSantis said. "The Boater Freedom Initiative ensures we follow suit as the Free State of Florida on our waters with protections for boaters from unwarranted searches or heavy-handed local governments." Dig deeper One key provision of the initiative would prohibit local governments from restricting the sale or use of boats based on fuel type. While some municipalities have explored environmental regulations encouraging electric-powered vessels, the governor's plan would prevent such policies from limiting gas-powered boats. The initiative does not alter existing environmental regulations regarding wake zones, manatee protection, or seagrass habitats. The proposal also seeks to eliminate random vessel safety inspections conducted by FWC unless officers have probable cause. Instead, the plan introduces a Florida Freedom Boater decal, which would be issued upon vessel registration. The decal would serve as proof of compliance with safety regulations, reducing the likelihood of stops for boaters who have met state requirements. Additionally, the initiative includes funding for increased public access to Florida's waterways, with investments in new boat ramps, marina infrastructure, and expanded parking facilities. What's next The proposal will be introduced to state lawmakers during the upcoming legislative session, where it is expected to pass under the Republican supermajority despite concerns from Democrats over public safety and environmental protections. The Source Information for this story was gathered by FOX 13's Matthew McClellan. STAY CONNECTED WITH FOX 13 TAMPA: Download the FOX Local app for your smart TV Download FOX Local mobile app: Apple | Android Download the FOX 13 News app for breaking news alerts, latest headlines Download the SkyTower Radar app Sign up for FOX 13's daily newsletter
