| MYTH #11: The boating industry and boating public did not have any input into the proposed additional protection measures. |
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FACT
The marine industries was allowed by the court to intervene in the federal lawsuit that Save the Manatee Club et al brought against the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Representatives from the National Marine Manufacturer’s Association, the Marina Operators Association of America, Association of Florida Community Developers and the Marine Industries Association of Florida participated in negotiations with the plaintiffs and the government agencies (defendants) in this case and signed off on the negotiated settlement agreement. The USFWS has held a series of hearings on their proposed rules and will hold more in the future.
Although the marine industries was denied the ability to act as intervenors for the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWCC) in Save the Manatee Club vs. Allan Egbert, (Executive Director of the FWCC), the FWCC is in the process of holding public meetings and hearings on the proposed protection measures and will continue to hold hearings on any future measures proposed.
Further, every manatee slow speed zone rule that has ever been adopted in the state of Florida has undergone a rigorous review by the general and boating public. This review has included noticed public workshops and hearings. |
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