Park may place restrictions on motorized boats

Park may place restrictions on motorized boats
NBC2 News
Last updated on: 6/5/2007 1:02:11 AM


COLLIER COUNTY: Motorized boating in Everglades National Park could take a hit. The park is creating a new long term plan that could mean many restrictions for motorized boaters. But many people say motorized boating is what they rely on as their main source of income and the restrictions could mean big problems.

For Collier resident Kevin McCole, there's no place like Chokoloskee to go fishing.

"This is heaven on Earth out here," said McCole.

Business owner Kenny Brown says he relies on motor boats and people like McCole to stay in business.

"The likely-hood of another industry is very remote. This industry is historic - the fishing and boating going on here," said Brown.

But the small slice of heaven could change. Everglades National Park is drafting a new long term management plan that includes restrictions on motorized boating.

One of the restrictions goes as far to say that there are to be no motorized boats on water that is less than three feet deep. But that basically means no motorized boating there at all because all of the water is less than three feet deep.

That plan falls under Alternative Plan D which is the strictest. However, there are three others.

Plan A leaves everything as it is now.

Plan B gives up some back country zones to paddle-only areas. But Brown says the back country zone is where the fish are.

"That's some of the best snook fishing on the planet is and we can't give up the back country," said Brown.

Plan C would make some waterway segments off limits to motorized boaters, but boaters say that blocks the gateway to the fishing spots.

"When you look at the alternative, they have no idea how the park is being used for recreational purposes," said McCole.

But a spokeswoman for the Everglades National Park says nothing is set in stone because the plans are preliminary.

The plans also include many positives like building a visitor's center and expanding camping grounds and land-based programs.

They say they'll continue to gather public comments to come up with a plan that everybody can live with - all while protecting the environment.

There will be a public meeting in Everglades City School this Wednesday from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. to discuss the park's long term plans.