Motorboat Restrictions at Ted Sperling Nature Park at South Lido Beach

The Sarasota County Commission will soon consider a motorboat exclusion zone in the vicinity of Ted Sperling Park and within 300 feet of South Lido Beach. 

The restrictions are needed due to the dangerous user conflicts between motorboats and swimmers at South Lido Park.  

There also exists a potentially dangerous and environmentally damaging situation in Brushy Bayou, an area within the Ted Sperling Park. User conflicts between jet skis and canoes using the designated canoe trails have increased. 
 
Since many of the designated canoe trails are very narrow, there is not enough room for a jet ski and a canoe to go through the mangrove trails safely, and a canoeist cannot safely maneuver in time to avoid the wake or impact of an oncoming jet ski. Because the canoe trails are lined with mangrove roots that are covered with barnacles, a canoeist tipping over in the mangrove trail is likely to be injured. 
 
It is apparent that several seagrass beds are also being severely impacted due to motorboats and jet skis traveling in the shallow waters. The environmental functions and values of these seagrass beds are being significantly disrupted.

Coastal waterbird populations are susceptible to disturbance by recreational boating. Air and noise pollution from motorboats and jet skis has a significant impact on wildlife. 

Additional restrictions on motorboats are needed. The following integral steps should be taken to correct the environmental damage being done by improper jet ski and motorboat activity: 
 
1. Amend the comprehensive plan by adding objectives and policies that specifically address concerns associated with the environmental damage caused by jet skis and the user conflict between jet skis, swimmers, canoes, and kayaks.
 
2. Adopt county ordinances restricting jet ski use in seagrass bed areas and designated canoe trails.
 
3. Increase marine patrol and law enforcement in problem areas.
 
4. Develop and implement management plans that restrict the use of jet skis in seagrass bed areas and designated canoe trails and repair areas of disturbed bay bottom.
 
5. Install signs restricting the use of motorized watercraft in seagrass bed areas and canoe trails.
 
6. Elimination or reduction of boat-related contaminants, adding noxious amounts of undissolved oils and greases to the waters.
 
7. Elimination or reduction of the negative environmental impacts associated with the seasonal increase in boats. 
 
Additionally, environmental site conditions in the vicinity of Midnight Pass are being impacted by the significant increase in boating since Hurricane Milton.  Propeller dredging is degrading important seagrass habitat, and boating activities such as prop scars, hydrocarbon pollution, and wildlife disturbance are increasing. 
 
Sarasota County is moving in the right direction by restricting motorboat activity in the South Lido Beach area, but a countywide, comprehensive response is needed. The goal should be to reduce the user conflict and environmental damage done by motorboat and jet ski activity.  

Glenn Compton is the Chairman of ManaSota 88, a non-profit organization that has spent over 30 years fighting to protect the environment of Manatee and Sarasota counties.