This notice is shared with us by Brad Pickle, Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway Association.

From: Janet Zimmerman
Date: May 16, 2017 at 1:58:31 PM EDT
To: Undisclosed recipients:;
Subject: Town Meeting tonight 5/16/17: Jupiter speed zone change request.pdf

An item on tonight’s Town of Jupiter Town Council meeting agenda is a resolution of support for adding additional slow speed zone to the ICW in North Palm Beach County. Please see the attached agenda item and the link below for the overall agenda.

https://www.jupiter.fl.us/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_05162017-643

Boating groups may have an interest in sharing their comments with the Town of Jupiter at tonight’s meeting.
http://www.palmbeachpost.com/news/local/boating-battle-will-jupiter-wake-zone-extended/1UxKFzHd01fUQXXMWJ0vrM/

RESOLUTION NO. 44-17
A RESOLUTION OF THE TOWN COUNCIL OF THE TOWN OF JUPITER, FLORIDA,
EXPRESSING SUPPORT FOR THE EXTENSION OF THE “MINIMUM SPEED/NO
WAKE ZONE” IN THE INDIAN RIVER LAGOON INTRACOASTAL WATERWAY
NORTH FROM THE C.R. 707 BRIDGE TO THE NORTHERN BOUNDARY OF CORAL
COVE PARK FOR A DISTANCE OF 0.8 MILE; PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE;
AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.
WHEREAS, the Indian River Lagoon between the C.R. 707 Bridge (South Beach
Road) and the northern boundary of Coral Cove Park is a popular location for boating,
kayaking, paddle-boarding, snorkeling and general recreational swimming; and
WHEREAS, current Intracoastal Waterway regulations allow powerboats to travel
at speeds up to 25 miles per hour in the navigable channel and at “slow speed —
minimum wake” outside of the channel in this area; and
WHEREAS, powerboat acceleration and deceleration, along with the wake
generated by boats traveling at such speeds creates a variety of issues harmful to the
public health, safety and welfare, including physical danger and injury to snorkelers and
swimmers, dangerous bridge navigation by multiple competing boats of varying sizes,
accelerated degradation and erosion of adjacent and near-by shorelines, loss of
mangrove islands, harm to special status species (e.g. West Indian Manatee, and
Johnson Seagrass),and damage to infrastructure and personal property such as docks
and other boats; and
WHEREAS, an extension of the “minimum speed/no wake zone” (which currently
terminates at the C.R 707 Bridge) north to the northern boundary of Coral Cove Park
would impose a boating restriction in this area requiring boats in the navigable channel
to travel at slow speed and produce minimum wake, and would further require boats
outside of the navigable channel to travel at idle speed and produce no wake; and
WHEREAS, the imposition of such boating restrictions in this area would
increase boater safety especially related to bridge navigation; would, on average, only
increase travel time through this area by a matter of minutes; and would reduce,
minimize, and even eliminate the above referenced dangers to the public health, safety
and welfare by current powerboat acceleration and deceleration, along with the wake
generated by boats traveling at the higher speeds that are currently permitted; and
WHEREAS, the Town Council has been made aware of a current local effort to
extend the “minimum speed/no-wake zone” (which currently terminates at the C.R: 707
Bridge) north to the northern boundary of Coral Cove Park: for the reasons articulated
above; and
WHEREAS, the Town Council desires to express its support for this effort as an
important means of protecting the public health, safety and welfare.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE TOWN COUNCIL OF THE TOWN
OF JUPITER, PALM BEACH COUNTY, FLORIDA, AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1: The above recitals are true and correct, and are incorporated into this
Resolution and are hereby specifically made a part hereof.
Section 2: The Town Council of the Town of Jupiter hereby expresses its support for
the local effort to extend the “minimum speed/wake zone” (which currently terminates at
the C.R. 707 Bridge) north in the Indian River Lagoon from the C.R. 707 Bridge (South
Beach Road) to the northern boundary of Coral Cove Park, thereby requiring boats in
the navigable channel of the Intracoastal Waterway in this area to travel at slow speed
and produce minimum wake, and thereby further requiring boats outside of the
navigable channel in this area to travel at idle speed and produce no wake.
Section 3: The Town Manager is directed to do all things necessary to effectuate the
intent of the Town Council as expressed herein.
Section 4: The Town Clerk is directed to provide a copy of this Resolution to the Florida
Fish and Wildlife Commission, Palm Beach County, the Village of Tequesta and Jupiter
Inlet Colony, and the Marine Industry Association of Palm Beach County.
Section 5: This Resolution shall take effect immediately upon its execution.