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Council member requests commission seek FWC review to expand Shad Creek no-wake zone
Summary
Council Member Gaye asked the commission to request a Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission review of expanding the no-wake zone on Shad Creek, citing increased large-boat traffic after an FDOT bridge project and the lack of a boater study.
Council Member Gaye told the Jacksonville Waterways Commission on Aug. 13 that the number and size of vessels using Shad Creek have increased since FDOT raised a bridge there, and he asked the commission to request that the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission review expanding an existing no-wake zone.
Gaye said FDOT did not complete a boater study when it raised the bridge over Shad Creek, which contributed to larger vessels using the cut-through to reach the sandbar. He said the change has prompted concerns about safety and wake impacts on adjacent shorelines.
"When FDOT raised that bridge over Shad Creek, they did not do their boater study ... and so since it's been opened, the larger boats are coming through there at an increased significant level," Gaye said. He added that FWC has asked whether the waterway could pursue a formal resolution requesting the state agency and the state to review expanding the no-wake zone.
Commissioner Adam Hoyles said the commission previously posted a no-wake zone in the area to the allowable standard and that the proposed change would extend protection northward to cover the current cut-through used to access the sandbar.
Commission counsel Shannon McGillis said the correct posture is to request a formal resolution, but the commission lacked a quorum at the Aug. 13 meeting. She offered to work with Council Member Gaye on the wording and to place a resolution on the Sept. 10 agenda. "If the next waterways date, Sept. 10, ... is OK, I can work with Council Member Gaye about the wording of that resolution and have it for this body at the next meeting," McGillis said.
Ending: Commissioners directed staff to prepare resolution language for formal consideration on Sept. 10. The item will return to the commission for a vote when a quorum is present.
