Flew over lake O today

[Rich Andrews]

Had the pleasure of seing lake o today from 10K feet above sea level. Looks like a major spray operation is going on between buckhead and twin palms area. The algae bloom looks disgusting as well as the rest of the lake. All of the drainage ditches on the east side of the lake are in full bloom, and none of that water needs to re enter the lake period. We took a good whuppin when it comes to that big ole STA they built on the north end of Loxahatcheee, plenty of marsh, duckin looks awesome, but guess what no guns or boats allowed. It's too bad one of our greatest resources in Florida is falling victim to beurocratic and political BS.

 

[darkwader]

Florida is falling victim to beurocratic and political BS.

Rich you are so right that is the problem with a lot of water ways in are State

 

[Capt Jeff]

plenty of marsh, duckin looks awesome, but guess what no guns or boats allowed. It's too bad one of our greatest resources in Florida is falling victim to beurocratic and political BS.

What are you talking about, the STA's have been open several years to duckin'!!!

Three Storm Water Treatment Areas (STA's) have been established as Public Small Game Hunting Areas and are open for duck and coot hunting. STA 1 West (Palm Beach Co.), STA 3/4 (Palm Beach and Howard Co's), and STA 5 (Hendry Co.) will be open for the special September duck season, both phases of the Waterfowl and Coot seasons, and for the Youth Waterfowl Hunt. There will be a morning hunt and an afternoon hunt on all areas. In STA 1W, cell 5B will be temporarily closed for revegetation. Cell 5B is the cell that was hunted in the past. The 06-07 hunts are scheduled to occur in cells 1A, 1B, and 3.

For the special September duck season, individuals are limited to one permit per hunter and must choose between a morning or afternoon hunt at STA 1W, STA 3/4, or STA 5. For the regular waterfowl and coot season, individuals are limited to one permit per hunter per area, choosing either a morning or afternoon hunt. This means a hunter is allowed one permit for STA 1W, one permit for STA 3/4, and one permit for STA 5.

For the youth waterfowl hunt, individuals are limited to one permit per hunter and must choose either a morning or afternoon hunt at STA 1W, STA 3/4, or STA 5. Youths under the age of 16 may acquire a permit for the Youth Waterfowl Day* in addition to one permit for each STA. There will be twenty-five permits available for each morning hunt and twenty-five permits available for each evening hunt. Each STA Waterfowl Permit is valid for two hunters, and permits are not transferable.

The start date for issuing STA permits is 10 am EDT August 29, 2006. Worksheets will be available approximately 2 weeks before this time. Hunting opportunities on the STA's for the 2006-2007 season will be posted as information becomes available. The free STA permits are for waterfowl hunting in all STA's open to hunting, and are available on a first-come, first-served basis through the Total Licensing System. To apply for a permit, hunters must first obtain an application worksheet at any FWC Regional Office, or from the web at MyFWC.com/hunting/quota_hunt to select desirable dates and time periods. The hunter then applies at any tax collector’s office, or for a small convenience fee, via the internet at MyFWC.com/license, or by phone at 1-888-HUNT-FLORIDA (486-8356). Permits are not available from license agents, such as sporting goods stores or tackle shops. Applications are not accepted through the mail.

* Special note regarding YOUTH HUNTERS:

Access to the STA's by non-hunters during periods open to hunting is prohibited. However, during the supervised youth hunts, each permit allows access to the STA for two youth hunters and either one or two non-hunting adults to supervise the youth hunters.

These waterfowl hunting areas are a cooperative effort of the South Florida Water Management District and Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) in order to provide additional opportunities for recreation on public lands in South Florida. http://www.myfwc.com

 

[Rich Andrews]

Captain Jeff,
You are soo correct, but the specific STA I speak of is NOT open for hunting....and it is one of the finest STA's built to date.

 

[Capt Jeff]

Is it one of the STA's that UWF is attempting to open?

 

[Rich Andrews]

IMo, that particular STA will never be opened. They need to get the Lox north side open for ALL kinds of boats. Recently those new short tail motors were banned as well in Lox north.
FYI, a 60k acre impoundment is in the process of being built not to far away from STA2 and 3........