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Waterways commission moves to draft emergency resolution opposing commercial shrimping in Pumpkin Hill Preserve
Summary
Commissioners directed staff to draft a resolution expressing opposition to opening the Pumpkin Hill Preserve to commercial shrimping and to request that FWC present to the commission; the commission authorized an emergency filing to expedite the resolution process.
The Jacksonville Waterways Commission on March 13 directed staff to draft an emergency resolution expressing opposition to opening portions of the Pumpkin Hill Preserve to commercial shrimping and to request that the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) present its proposal to the Waterways Commission.
Commissioner Mark Hardesty described complaints from recreational fishermen and said a community letter from Council members and anglers asked FWC to pause its process. A speaker moved that the commission oppose opening Pumpkin Hill to commercial shrimping; commissioners discussed whether to ask FWC to pause and to seek more information before taking a final position. Commissioner Barker suggested the resolution ask for a pause and presentation to Waterways so the commission could review technical and ecological information.
Staff counsel Shannon McGillis proposed drafting a resolution that cites the Waterways Commission's area of authority under city ordinance and states that, as currently understood, the commission opposes FWC's pending action and requests FWC present to the commission. Commissioners amended the motion to authorize staff to prepare such a resolution and to seek emergency filing so the resolution could be routed to City Council for an introductory action quickly. The amended motion passed by voice vote.
The commission asked staff to pursue outreach to FWC and federal and state partners and to prepare the resolution for review at the next meeting; commissioners also discussed inviting FWC to the April meeting for direct clarification.
