Boaters Must Speak Up Today on Anchoring in Florida
FWC Online Survey Closes Today. Dec. 7

Posted Sunday, December 7, 2014

 

Having a full range of anchoring and mooring options are important to boating and cruising in Florida.

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In 2009, the Florida Legislature enacted legislation that stopped local governments from placing inconsistent and often onerous restrictions on anchoring. During the 2014 Florida legislative session there were strong attempts to repeal part of this prohibition. While these changes were defeated, there will likely be new legislation introduced in the spring that would grant local governments the authority to regulate anchoring in their municipalities. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is now asking for comments on possible changes to Florida’s anchoring laws. It is important to take the FWC survey to register your opinions on anchoring restrictions to help influence what could be allowed by the state legislature.

Boat Owners Association of The United States and SailMiami.com would like to ensure that active, responsible cruising boaters help the state understand what works and what doesn’t when it comes to anchoring laws in the Sunshine State. If having a full range of anchoring and mooring options are important to your cruising in Florida, this is a critical time to share your views with FWC about potential anchoring regulations.

After analyzing input from public meetings held in Tallahassee, Vero Beach and Bradenton, staff at FWC produced a survey to solicit widespread feedback on this complex subject.

“The survey will provide an invaluable opportunity to gauge public sentiment,” said Maj. Richard Moore, leader of FWC’s Boating and Waterways Section. “The feedback provided will be of value to any potential legislative process in the future.”

HOW: Take the FWC survey and file your comments at: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/AnchoringSurvey

For additional survey information, visit the FWC website at http://myfwc.com/boating/anchoring-mooring/. More information on anchoring in Florida is at http://www.boatus.com/gov/floridaanchoring.asp.

WHEN: Boaters only have until midnight Sunday, December 7, 2014 to complete the survey and file any comments they may have.