Upcoming Events
Poll
Dean, Smith seek Congress’ help in stopping King’s Bay rule
Two Citrus County legislators are moving along a resolution that asks Congress to direct its wildlife agency to back off rules that would strengthen manatee protection in King’s Bay.
Sen. Charlie Dean and Rep. Jimmie T. Smith, both Inverness Republicans, have filed legislative “memorials” that have no authority other than requesting action from Congress.
Dean’s resolution this week passed the Senate Committee on Environmental Preservation and Conservation, of which he is chairman. It now goes to the full Senate for a final vote.
Smith’s resolution has passed the Federal Affairs Subcommittee and requires approval from the State Affairs Committee before a vote before the full House of Representatives.
Unlike proposed laws, however, a memorial does not require final approval by the governor.
Dean and Smith offered the memorials at the behest of Crystal River residents who oppose the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s proposed King’s Bay rule. The rule, which has not been finalized, would expand the manatee refuge into all of King’s Bay, restricting boat speeds and issues other mandates the federal government says is necessary to protect manatees.
Opponents to the rule fear a loss of private property rights and the impact the rules could have on fishing.
The memorials ask Congress to direct the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to reconsider the proposed rule and instead work with state and local governments in seeking joint long-term solutions to protect manatees.
Smith said he realizes the resolution lacks enforcement but it’s the best the Legislature can do.
“I can’t make somebody listen to me,” he said. “It’s our due diligence to have that voice and speak to Congress. Even though they may not listen, it’s still my duty to speak up.”
While it’s uncertain what Congress would do with the request, U.S. Rep. Rich Nugent supports it.
Nugent, R-Brooksville, has tried to remove funding from the agency’s budget to enforce the rule. He said Wednesday he would welcome a state request to intervene.
“All people are asking for is to slow down, pay attention to the stakeholders, be open and transparent,” Nugent said. “We’ve been on it, and this adds more pressure for them to do the right thing.”
Chronicle reporter Mike Wright can be reached at 352-563-3228 or mwright@
chronicleonline.com.
Add new comment
Read and share your thoughts on this story
Ad Gallery
Copyright © 2012
ChronicleOnline is your source for local news, sports, events, and information in Citrus County, FL and the surrounding area.
smarter then a manatee?
The slow speed zone on King's Bay Drive is for the safety of all the people that hang out by the bridge to view the manatee....if you were as smart as one you would realize that...
Sanity on King's Bay
Recently ,there was a terrible accident on I-75 where 10 people were killed, does that mean the speed limit should now be reduced to 25 mph for the entire freeway? What about US 19? Accidents happen all the time...do you want to drive 10 mph all the way down to Howard's Flea Market? Wake up and smell the coffee! This is not about speed, boats, or the manatee...this is about the federal government stepping in and taking over a body of water under the jurisdiction of the state of Florida and imposing more regulations when there are already plenty in place. On top of that, there isn't enough funding for enforcement, unless, of course, you want to impose more taxes on the county....which can't happen if the tax base decreases because of the economic harm this rule will cause. Call your elected officials and thank them for doing the right thing!
They have a 15 MPH speed zone on a part of KINGS BAY DRIVE!
There is a portion of Kings Bay Drive where the palatial homes are and the SPEED LIMIT is 15 MPH on that portion of the DRIVE (street)! You wouldn't want these SPECIAL Homeowners to be hit or injured. We must protect them even if it means we have to slow down to FIFTEEN MILES PER HOUR in front of their large homes.
That's the same safeguard 15 mph protection we give our school children in a School Zone.
What does the City call the 15 MPH zone on Kings Bay Drive, the Rich Zone? If it is a matter of safety, cars can blow their horns to warn those folks living there that there's a car approaching.
The day will come when the tourists who come to spend their money here will realize all those cuts, severed paddle tails and orphan calves are caused by speeding boats.
If you can only do 15 mph on THE SPECIAL section of Kings Bay Drive where the SPECIAL PEOPLE LIVE you can certainly go slow speed in Kings Bay where there are canoeists, kayakers, folks fishing, row boats, big boats, little boats, pontoon boats, people swimming, divers who pay a guide service to take them out there to swim, manatees and submerged plants. Aren't they as important?
Strengthen Manatee Protections!
I have six words for boaters: slow down and enjoy the scenery.
Shame on you, Sen. Dean and Rep. Smith! In 2011, 88 manatees were struck and killed by boaters in Florida’s waters. Would it really kill boaters to slow down a bit to avoid injuring and killing endangered manatees?
Here’s what’s really happening to the manatees of Kings Bay as the result of human selfishness:
http://www.savethemanatee.org/ta_ws_zone_7-09.html
I urge everyone to write to your senators and congressmen in support of strengthening manatee protections. Check out the link below to learn how to help.
http://www.savethemanatee.org/ta_harassment_2-08.html
Thank you for your compassion.
Save the Manatees of Crystal River
https://www.facebook.com/SaveCrystalRiverManatees
Republicans Always Up To No Good!
All the republicans are supporting this! Why? Dean has to go...he is useless in the state legistator and does nothing for the betterment of this county. Under the guise of stopping regulations in Kings Bay to favor more regulations statewide for Wildlife FEE's. Charge more for fishing licenses and more for boating licenses, etc.....That's what Charles Dean & Jimmie Smith want to do. Fee us to death. They say they don't want to raise taxes but, they want to Fee us to death. Samething as raising taxes, just another name. Do these politicians really think we are that stupid?
Please help me VOTE these state leaders out of office!
Brealistic
Save Crystal River
The US Fish and Wildlife Service is seeking to impose excessive NEW regulations in Citrus County that, if allowed to happen by the state of Florida, could allow the expansion of this level of federal control throughout the state of Florida. They are seeking to regulate boating, fishing, swimming, diving, and other activities in the entire Kings Bay region to protect the “take” of a single manatee through the application of the Marine Mammal Protection Act. If successful in our small community with our exceptional record of manatee protection, this could easily be applied to any county in Florida that experiences the death or “take” of a single manatee. This could expand the economic and negative jobs impact throughout our state. Most people seem not to be aware of exactly what this rule spells out idea. EDUCATE yourselves beyond the radical environmentalist agenda, visit www.savecrystalriver.com and get the real deal, no-spin story about these regulations....you will thank your elected officials
US F&WS Territory Power Grab
The USF&WS proposal is a bureaucratic power grab which runs rough shod over the Cooperative Agreement between the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission and the USF&WS dated 2003 and still in effect. This is what Sen. Dean and Rep. Smith know that commentors on here don't - You simply can't have the feds seize Florida Waters and regulate a Florida owned natural resource such as the manatee to pander to a special interest group.
Check out www.savecrystalriver.com
The Proposal seizes control of the entire Bay, even though US F&WS own statistics show the manatee is ready to be downlisted to "threatened" since 2007. See 5 Yr Review. And, there have been only 16 bodies found in King's Bay in 13 years - Zero in the last 3 years. Just as many in slow speed season as the Summer.
US F&WS is just grabbing power as a solution in search of a problem which does not exist. They made it up to expand their refuge. Citrus County Manatee Protection Plan since 1991 has done an exemplary job at protecting the manatee. 4% yearly population growth and 94%-96% adult survival rate. Proof: USFWS Regional Director Cynthia Dohner, August, 2009 "In general, manatees in Florida’s Northwest Management Unit (which includes manatees that winter in the Crystal and Homosassa Rivers) are doing quite well.”
Environmentalists groups - including PEER.Org, government employee group which threatened to sue US F&WS in March, 2010 - have railroaded the Jacksonville Office (renegade office) of US F&WS to write a rule which creates power well outside the Congressional laws of the ESA and MMPA. Look them up and you will see there is no provision for creating a refuge to protect from harassment or take of one manatee. Only authority to assure the recovery of the Species, which is doing just fine.
We don't need the Feds to seize and over-regulate our back-yards for the comfort of a special interest group of radicals.
Ah, they see the need for a Memorial to the Manatees Killed!
I loved the "Slow Down, pay attention to the stakeholders" by Rep. Nugent. Maybe one should point out to him and Dean and Smith that 114,884 people, signing and giving their name and address as persons who care and favor the Rule, makes them a stakeholder.
Only a pitiful 227 did the same against the proposed Rule. Surely he didn't mean that tiny 227 number opposed represented the stakeholders, and that no one else matters. Surely he didn't mean that!
Sen. Dean wants his legacy to
Sen. Dean wants his legacy to be a clean King's Bay. Sen. Dean is Chairman of the Senate Committe on Environmental PRESERVATION and CONSERVATION. A major contributor to the turbidity of the water in King's Bay is fast moving power boats. Sen. Dean wants to allow the continuation of fast moving power boats in King's Bay. Make up your mind Sen. Dean. The King's Bay rule was proposed after much public input over several years. Dean and Smith offered the memorials at the behest of a small group of Crystal River anti-government residents, NOT the majority who are in favor of a clean Bay and protection of the manatees who are injured, maimed and killed by power boats.
taxpayer
Agrree
I agree. Let's start over and this time Pull all the divers, and bring in the cruise boats.