Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is considering a request from Okeechobee County for two “Slow speed, minimum wake” zones.
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Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is considering a request from Okeechobee County for two “Slow speed, minimum wake” zones.
On April 17, 2024, the FWC received a complete application from Okeechobee County requesting approval of Ordinance No. 2023-0004 which seeks to establish two slow speed boating restricted areas within Taylor Creek and Lake Okeechobee Rim Canal.
The ordinance will be reviewed by the FWC to determine whether there is substantial competent evidence demonstrating the requested boating-restricted area is necessary to protect the safety of the public and a determination issued within 30 days.
The proposed county ordinance would establish “Slow speed, minimum wake” areas in the portion of Taylor Creek between the existing slow speed area associated with U.S. 441 bridge fender system crossing Taylor Creek and the slow speed zone area at the Taylor Creek Lock.
It would also establish a slow speed area on the Rim Canal between Taylor Creek Lock and the slow speed area associated with the S.E. 27th Way bridge fender system.
Members of the public may provide written comments, recommendations, requests, inquiries, or other correspondence about this ordinance to the Boating and Waterways Section at 620 South Meridian Street, Tallahassee, FL 32399-1600; or by email at BoatingPublicComments@myfwc.com.
The Okeechobee County ordinance was approved at the May 25 meeting of the Okeechobee County Commission. At that meeting, County Attorney Wade Vose said the ordinance establishes additional boating-restricted areas within portions of Taylor Creek and the Lake Okeechobee Rim Canal to close gaps in previously established boating-restricted areas surrounding the intersection of Taylor Creek and the Rim Canal. Commissioner Terry Burroughs said the wakes caused by boats speeding through the gaps erode the property of Taylor Creek Lodge. The ordinance establishes slow speed, minimum wake boating-restricted areas between the markers 14 and 15, and between 15 and 12.
FWC staff has advised that they believe that such small gaps between existing boating-restricted areas, absent regulation, would pose a safety risk to the public from rapid acceleration and deceleration over very short distances, and that such small gaps should be closed to protect public safety.
