Joe Merchant
Cadet
- Joined
- Jan 11, 2005
- Messages
- 20
Southwest Florida Manatee ALERT: URGENT !!<br /><br />U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service has scheduled another public hearing regarding newly proposed federal manatee speed zones.<br /><br />Place: Harborside Event Center<br />1375 Monroe St., Fort Myers. <br />Date: January 12, 2005 <br />Time: 7: 00 p.m. (doors open at 6:00 p.m.) <br /> <br /><br />A State of Florida court threw out speed zones in portions of Matlacha Pass when it found the zones were unconstitutional. U. S. Fish & Wildlife (FWS) decided to replace the zones and put them under federal jurisdiction. <br /> <br />John Kinney, Pres. Standing Watch, Scott Whitlock, Pres. Cape Coral Board of Realtors, Joe Mazurkiewicz, ALERT, Mike McCartney, Pres., CCCIA ask you to consider: <br /> <br />Why it is important to take this chance to speak out: <br /> <br /><br /> Why do we need speed zones that a Florida Court found unconstitutional? (Let's face it these speed zones have nothing to do with manatee protection. The only protection involved here is U.S. Fish & Wildlife protecting themselves from being sued by Save the Manatee Club again!) <br /> <br /> Did you know Save the Manatee Club is suing the State and Lee County to get the Manatee Protection Plan they fought so hard for thrown out! (What is it they want anyway?) <br /> <br /> Fish & Wildlife is considering assessing the cumulative impact of single-family docks and proposed Lee County as a preferred test case area? (It is nearly impossible to get a permit for a multi-slip dock & now they are going after our residential docks!) <br /><br /> FWC is setting new rules that limit the use of combustion engines. (Aimed at further reducing exhaust by-products. There goes your outboard motor!). <br /> <br /> FWC (with federal guidance) is working on rules to protect the current species? (Huh, you say? Well, it means they are working on plans to protect species before there is any known threat. How you ask? Simple, with more restrictions on access to public lands and waterways! <br /> <br />WE ALL NEED TO TAKE ONE MORE HOUR TO GO TO THE HARBORSIDE <br />AND SHOW 'EM WE HAVENT GIVEN UP. ENOUGH IS ENOUGH! <br />----------------------------------------------------- <br /><br /><br />SEND A MESSAGE TO THE U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service<br /><br />Email to FWS, edit and send your own version<br />Send your emails to mailto:verobeach@fws.gov <br /><br />------------- <br />Dear FWS: <br /><br />I support the opinions of our local Judge, advisory committee and all of the people that took the time and expense to take your speed zone ruling to court. Rightfully, the attorney fees for the Schoonover decision should be reimbursed from YOUR BUDGET. (FWS) <br /><br />The manatee speed zones have been found "unconstitutional, arbitrary, and capricious " as ruled by JUDGE SCHOONOVER. This ruling was supported by the State court by not hearing the appeal. The Lee County LRRC (local rule review committee) submitted their report that there is no scientific basis for the emergency speed zones. <br /><br />Florida Statute 370.12. mandates the use of science when creating manatee zones, and provide a balanced committee of regional stake-holders to participate in the drafting of any new regulation. (Local Rule Review Committees) <br /><br />But this is just our State and Our People and our Constitution. They do not apply to what Jay Slack of US FWS wants. <br />-----------<br /><br />For More Info, visit web page
