Bill Type and Number: Ordinance 2007-296

Sponsor: Council Member Self:

Date of Introduction: March 13, 2007

Committee(s) of Reference: F; ECID; JWW

Date of Analysis: March 16, 2007

Type of Action: Appropriation

Bill Summary: The ordinance appropriates $25,000 from the Executive Operating Contingency-Joint account to fund a “Boater Traffic Study” designed to evaluate the impact of boater traffic on manatee behavior. The Planning & Development Department is designated as the oversight department. A reverter clause returns any unused funds appropriated by this bill back to the Executive Operating Contingency-Joint account.

Background Information: The State of Florida requires counties to have manatee protection plans in place. The protection plans are designed to educate boaters and others who use the waterways on manatees and the mammals’ behavioral patterns. Boater-inflicted manatee fatalities are of grave concern to the State wildlife and conservation officials and to the people who enjoy the waterways.

Policy Impact: Manatees/Waterways/Planning & Development Department

Fiscal Impact: This bill appropriates $25,000

Analyst: Jackson