SOUTH OF HWY 46

go to this page and click the Lk. Harney map-point.
http://ahps.srh.noaa.gov/ahps2/forecasts.php?wfo=mlb
When it reads 9.0 feet it'll open to IDLE ONLY EVERYWHERE and when it reads 8.5" it'll be RESUME NORMAL OPERATION as usual

The closure is flawed because it includes the lakes and tributaries of the river downstream from the flooded area - which are no longer severely flooded. They'll open the area when the Harney gauge switches from 'moderate' to 'minor' flooding. Well, the Jesup/Sanford area is already at that 'safe' stage, and they've lumped it all together.

This whole closure is wrong!

It reminds me of a quote I recently saw at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington DC - meant to INSPIRE Americans into feats of accomplishment:
"What kind of man would live
where there is no daring?
I don't believe in taking foolish chances,
but nothing can be accomplished
without taking any chances at all
."

Charles Augustus Lindbergh



About the only kind of 'daring' going on the past few weeks is a few waterfront residents avoiding arrest while sneaking around in protest of the vessel ban.
Or maybe a few cops out 'daring' to learn to do donuts in a gov't owned airboat. :roll:
 
I have emailed FWC. I asked for answers to a couple of questions. 1 Why is it safe to operate south of 50 and not south of 46?
2 What difference will a half a foot of water make in operating south of 46?
The only houses south of 46 to 50 is Baxter Point. We could educate each other and anyone else who doesn't know better than to throw a wake near anyones home just as we did in 2004. If water levels go down to 8.5, homes at baxter point will still need the courtesy of everyone because they still will have water problems. Everyone I have met at Jolly Gator who operates south of 46 have to much expierence and common sense to cause damage to peoples homes. They tell me the closure is not just for flooded homes but for navigational submerged hazzards. We all deal with fence post ,stumps,logs and submerged hazzards at the end of every summer. This flood is not different. Capt. B
 
I heard a captain who took FWC out was named Bill Daniels. Is that You Capt B? I assumed capt B was Capt Bruce from the Jolly Gator. Anyway, Bill Daniels is a living legend according to what I hear, and he knows his stuff. And to hear that some capt got "turned around" and told FWC that the closure was justified really seems out of the character I've come to know about Capt Bill. I've heard some stories that about him that are awesome! It must have been someone else who got turned around and encouraged FWC to keep the river closed when they were considering opening it! Or someone at FWC told Bonnie a fib. It just don't sound like Bill Daniels!

But GO GET 'EM Capt B! Not just for south of 46, but ALL the ban needs to be lifted. They can easily patrol the residential areas around Osceola Rd, Marshall (on the volusia side) and Lemon Bluff. If they still won't do that, at least open the lakes.

You are right - it's an OPPORTUNITY for boater education. The water damage has been done.

C'mon FWC... Open the river back up! ALL OF IT!!!
Stop making me a criminal every afternoon when I go out exploring around! ;)

P.S. I heard another RUMOR this afternoon....
They are charging you $5000 for running the blockade?!!?? First offense? That was hard to believe, and did not stop me from going out for sunset, but is that even possible????
 
MOOD you know anything is possible with the government involved LOL just look at all the billions they just found to save the shxtheads on wall street while doing nothing for the homeless people because of them losing their houses. didnt hear a single word about helpin the people huh just the big companies ... sorry this isn't meant to hijack this thread

they gotta start raising them billions somewhere it might as well be on the backs of airboaters we always save the day when needed so pony up boy enjoy them sunsets .. lets see 5000 a day 7 days a week aww hell go ahead and do sunrise also we need the money :twisted:
 
I did receive a friendly warning concerning a tour south of 46 but no fine. I know Bill Daniels well and have had several conversations with him concerning the closed areas of the river. Both of us are loosing money everyday the closure continues. Capt. B
 
no problem Bill. here is the direct link to the OFFICIAL gauge:
http://ahps.srh.noaa.gov/ahps2/hydrograph.php?wfo=mlb&gage=genf1&view=1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1

I ran the blockade & went out the other morning on a photo safari and again this morning...
Back to the most beautiful tree I've ever seen....
God's sculpture at it's finest....
bird_tree.jpg


I thought it was a real bird at first!
Absolutely amazing.

And I never would have seen this had I not been out riding the tree line in the flooded waters.
Thank you T.S. Faye! Curses to the gov't who tries to keep us out of the water!

matt.
 
The no vessel rule states it is lifted when the Harney gauge reads 9.0' (idle only) and 8.5' (normal operation)
It will not just be for south of 46 (puzzle lake) but ALL the river between Lake monroe to Hwy 50.
I may be misreading it, but I've read and re-read that rule 50 times, and keep a copy of it in my boat.
If there is an official out there who can clarify this, PLEASE DO.

The Harney gauge was at 9.07 at 8:30 am today, and at 10:30 it was 9.06 :)

I'm hoping that by tomorrow morning we can be on the water. LEGALLY! yea! :D
LOTS of black mud out there folks!

Getting rid of the blockades and chains on the ramps is another issue, I don't know how fast that will happen. Fast, I hope.

I still have Lk Jesup in my yard, but it's receding steadily. I lost a few citrus trees (a key lime tree, a kumquat tree, and a lemon tree) along with my wife's favorite Hibiscus plant - all DROWNED from sitting underwater for a month. And had a section of fence crushed when a big pine fell over onto it. From our wanderings out there in the flooded areas under the ban, it looks like a lot of the waterfront vegetation will also be drowned. I wonder if the flood will kill back a lot of the non-native vegetation out there. I'll bet when the plants grow back, things will look a lot different! And for the better I hope.

Those wild grapes were killed in my yard when they were anywhere near the water. They ARE native, but good riddence to them! Glad to seem them knocked back!

At least there is a positive effect of this flood!

matt.
 
Idle in an airboat! How does that work? Sorry about your key lime tree though. Nothing says Florida like Key Limes and Key Lime Pie.
 
Just got word from FWC -- with whom I have met several times since last week.
The area south of highway 46 is now OPEN and there are NO RESTRICTIONS like idle speed, etc.
TFWC is working with local governments to get the boat ramps opened back up.

THere are some areas that remain idle speed and the NEW EMERGENCY RULE is based on various water levels but the area you have been seeking has been re-opened.

FAA will be meeting with FWC to discuss how and when they put these emergency rules into effect, the criteria they use, etc. so we can give them the perspective of airboaters.


We are pleased to have been able to intercede on behalf of all airboaters and get FWC to take the giant step of going from closure to open without the intervening step of idle speed......Nrmally, they would have opened the area but only for idle speed/no wake...they listened to us and dropped that step.

Here is the entire NEW emergency rule -- It was filed with the Secretary of State at 3:40 this afternoon -- If the area you ride in is not listed, it is now open. SO YOU CAN GO RIDE AS SOON AS YOU READ THIS!!!!

I am told these remaining areas are a small portion of the entire area and will only be regulated until water levels drop.


68DER 08-03 Emergency Regulation of Vessel Traffic – St. Johns
River and Tributaries.
(1) This emergency rule supersedes and replaces Emergency Rule 68DER 08-02 filed for adoption with the Department of State on August 29, 2008.

(2) For the purpose of protecting public safety during flood conditions, the following boating restricted areas are established on the St. Johns River, from shoreline to shoreline and including its associated lakes and its tributaries, as follows:

(a) Lake George fender system and Highlands Park Canal at Day Mark 39 – An Idle Speed No Wake boating restricted area on the St. Johns River, from shoreline to shoreline and including its associated lakes and its tributaries, from a line drawn perpendicular to the centerline of the Lake George fender system south to the line drawn perpendicular to the centerline of the Highlands Park Canal at the south end of that canal at Day Mark 39, to be in effect and enforceable when the St. Johns River level is at 2.8 feet or higher as indicated by the United States Geological Survey gauge at the S. R. 40 Bridge over the St. Johns River at Astor (ASTF1).

(b) Highlands Park Canal at Day Mark 39 and the I-4 Bridge –
1. An Idle Speed No Wake boating restricted area on the St. Johns River, from shoreline to shoreline and including its associated lakes and its tributaries, from a line drawn perpendicular to the centerline of the Highlands Park Canal at the south end of that canal at Day Mark 39 to the centerline of the north span (westbound lanes) of the I-4 Bridge over the St. Johns River, to be in effect and enforceable when the St. Johns River level is at 4.2 feet or higher as indicated by the United States Geological Survey gauge at the S. R. 44 Bridge over the St. Johns River near Deland (DLAF1).
2. A No Vessel boating restricted area on the St. Johns River, from shoreline to shoreline and including its associated lakes and its tributaries, from a line drawn perpendicular to the centerline of the Highlands Park Canal at the south end of that canal at Day Mark 39 to the centerline of the north span (westbound lanes) of the I-4 Bridge over the St. Johns River, to be in effect and enforceable when the St. Johns River level is at 5.0 feet or higher as indicated by the United States Geological Survey gauge at the S. R. 44 Bridge over the St. Johns River near Deland (DLAF1).

(c) I-4 Bridge and Lake Monroe Vicinity - An Idle Speed No Wake boating restricted area on the St. Johns River, from shoreline to shoreline and including its associated lakes and its tributaries, from the centerline of the north span (westbound lanes) of the I-4 Bridge south and east to a line drawn at 81 degrees 15 minutes 00 seconds West Longitude within Lake Monroe, to be in effect and enforceable when the St. Johns River level is at 7.0 feet or higher as indicated by the United States Geological Survey gauge at the U.S. Highway 17/92 Bridge over the St. Johns River near Sanford (SNFF1).

(d) Lake Monroe to S.R. 46 (South of Lake Harney) --
1. An Idle Speed No Wake boating restricted area from a line drawn at 81 degrees 15 minutes 00 seconds West Longitude within Lake Monroe, southeast to the S.R. 46 Bridge south of Lake Harney to be in effect and enforceable when the St. Johns River level is at 8.5 feet or higher as indicated by the United States Geological Survey gauge at the S.R. 46 Bridge over the St. Johns River above Lake Harney near Geneva (GENF1).
2. A No Vessel boating restricted area from a line drawn at 81 degrees 15 minutes 00 seconds West Longitude within Lake Monroe, southeast to the S.R. 46 Bridge south of Lake Harney to be in effect and enforceable when the St. Johns River level is at 9.0 feet or higher as indicated by the United States Geological Survey gauge at the S.R. 46 Bridge over the St. Johns River above Lake Harney near Geneva (GENF1).
(e) Baxter’s Point – An Idle Speed No Wake boating restricted area on the St. Johns River, from shoreline to shoreline and including its associated lakes and its tributaries, from a line drawn perpendicular to the centerline of the St. Johns River at Baxter’s Point to a line drawn perpendicular to the centerline of the St. Johns River 300 feet southeast of the Hatbill Road Boat Ramp to be in effect and enforceable when the St. Johns River level is at 9.0 feet or higher as indicated by the United States Geological Survey gauge at the S.R. 46 Bridge over the St. Johns River above Lake Harney near Geneva (GENF1).
(f) Lake Jessup – No Vessel boating restricted area within Lake Jessup, from shoreline to shoreline west of the centerline of the S.R. 417 Bridge to be in effect and enforceable when the St. Johns River level is at 9.0 feet or higher as indicated by the United States Geological Survey gauge at the S.R. 46 Bridge over the St. Johns River above Lake Harney near Geneva (GENF1).
(3) (a) The restrictions in this rule do not apply:
1. In situations requiring immediate action to protect life, limb, and property from imminent danger;
2. To law enforcement or fire fighting vessels;
3. To rescue vessels owned or operated by governmental entities;
(b) The No Vessel restrictions in paragraph (2) do not apply to the following vessels:
1. Any vessel under the command of an individual licensed by the United States Coast Guard to serve as Master of Steam or Motor Vessels;
2. Vessels owned or operated by governmental entities or are being used for governmental purposes under contract with a governmental entity.
3. Vessels operated by individuals resident at riparian property within the No vessel boating restricted area may traverse these waters but must proceed directly to and from their properties without delay or diversion and must carry proof of residency and have it available for inspection on board the vessel.
4. Proceed only at Idle Speed No Wake.
(4) When in Effect – each boating restricted area established in subsection (2) shall be active and enforceable only when the water level is as specified in each respective paragraph. For purposes of this emergency rule, all referenced river levels are as displayed by the National Weather Service’s Advanced Hydrologic Prediction Service on its web site at http://www.weather.gov/ahps.

(5) As provided in Section 327.70, F.S., this emergency rule shall be enforced by the Division of Law Enforcement of the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and its officers, the sheriffs of the various counties through which these waters flow and their respective deputies, and any other duly constituted law enforcement officers.
(6) Except as provided in subsection (7), any person failing to comply with the provision of this emergency rule shall be guilty of a noncriminal infraction, punishable as provided in Section 327.73, F.S.
(7) No person shall at any time willfully or wantonly operate any vessel at a speed or in a manner so as to cause a wake that endangers or is likely to endanger life or limb, or damage the property of, any person. Section 327.33(1), FS., provides that any person who willfully or wantonly operates any vessel at a speed or in a manner as to endanger, or likely to endanger, life or limb, or damage the property of, any person, commits the offence of reckless operation, a misdemeanor of the first degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083, FS.
(8) This emergency rule takes effect immediately upon being filed with the Department of State and will continue in effect for 90 days or until the Executive Director of the Agency finds that the flooding conditions have sufficiently abated so that the restrictions are no longer justified.
 
Sorry guys for all that gibberish - I just wanted to get the news out quickly:

here's the short version of what we need to know

Baxter's Point- Creates an Idle Speed No Wake Zone in St. John's River from Baxter's Point to Hatbill Road Boat Ramp when Lake Harney/ Geneva Gauge is above 9.0 feet

Lake Jessup- Creates a No Vessel Zone in St. John's River west of the Centerline of SR 417 Bridge on Lake Jessup when Lake Harney / Geneva Gauge is above 9.0 feet

looks like we're good to go!

If you had questions and/or suggestions for our discussions with FWC, please let me know.
bondo
 
Thanks for all you do Bonnie. :)

I think you are mistaken on the "skipping the NO WAKE stage"

according to the new rule which you just posted:
1. An Idle Speed No Wake boating restricted area from a line drawn at 81 degrees 15 minutes 00 seconds West Longitude within Lake Monroe, southeast to the S.R. 46 Bridge south of Lake Harney to be in effect and enforceable when the St. Johns River level is at 8.5 feet or higher as indicated by the United States Geological Survey gauge at the S.R. 46 Bridge over the St. Johns River above Lake Harney near Geneva (GENF1).
2. A No Vessel boating restricted area from a line drawn at 81 degrees 15 minutes 00 seconds West Longitude within Lake Monroe, southeast to the S.R. 46 Bridge south of Lake Harney to be in effect and enforceable when the St. Johns River level is at 9.0 feet or higher as indicated by the United States Geological Survey gauge at the S.R. 46 Bridge over the St. Johns River above Lake Harney near Geneva (GENF1).

What makes this different is that the southern point is now the 46 bridge at the north end of Puzzle lake, changed from the Hwy 50 bridge.
That frees up Loughman Lake, Puzzle lake and the superhighway trail area of the river from the silliness of the restrictions. THAT'S NICE!!!

The 9.0 or higher VESSEL BAN & 8.5 or higher NO WAKE has not changed.
That is the same as the previous rule.

Another change is eastern Lake Jesup is not included in the vessel restriction - THANK YOU BONNIE!!!!
But western Jesup still is. That seems fitting since that's where 90% of the residential area is on the lake.

Thanks alot! I was out there parked in the open at about 3 pm today, out by Hwy 46, just watching the construction and kickin' back.
A black Sheriff helicopter flew over, and did not seem to care I was there.

We're going riding tonight AND tomorrow!

Woo Hoo! Thanks Bonnie.
 
Mood
They took the no wake/idle speed off the areas they know we want to run
left them on areas that are either still in high water or near residential areas.

They could have given us the area we wanted at idle speed ---
they didn't
bondo
 
Thanks Bonnie
:wink: Your hard work has not gone unnoticed by all

Now we need to work on that S12 structures to get the boys down south Airboating and enjoying the Woods.

Now that you all have a taste of what it's like living in the South don't blame us when we come up to enjoy your water. I have more bad news this may be the future of Florida story water for human consumption, whenever you read or see anything about Everglades restoration remember this nothing but making big ponds to store water.

We will have more work on our plate to try and work out the little details to make this more comfortable in the near future because I don't think you've seen the last of this. All I can say is be glad you can idle that's more than we can do in the Everglades.

Enjoy Airboating today so we can appreciate tomorrow.
 
I already said "thanks Bonnie" so I won't dwell on all that again, even though I am very thankful - ESPECIALLY after taking a quick ride under the bridge and out of the lake into the RIVER. It felt good to be back on the St. Johns River! THANKS BONNIE!

This is starting to sink in.... I misread it before - that dang numbering system is screwy for sure. "1" then "2" then "e" then "f" then "3".... without the indents which I'm sure go with those numbers, it sure is confusing.

After letting it sink in during a 30 mph wind in my face on the boat :D I understand it like this:
This new rule will be used in the future, and they won't use that previous rule? Awesome! :D
This new rule still has the features of the old rule for the residential areas, but generally the rural areas are NOT INCLUDED? (rule-free) AWESOME! :D

Keep on it Bonnie. This is the way it should be! We responsible Americans should enjoy reasonable freedoms, and we accept reasonable risk. We don't need the gov't protecting us like babies. THANK YOU (FWC leaders) for recognizing this!!!

Bishop, y'all are welcome up here any time you want, and you know where we live, our guest room and some airboat parking in the woods is always open to you and yours. Your "other" camp on the lake.

It'd be good if FWC follows this logic - and joins us in our fight against the COUNTY LEGISLATION that is growing like a cancer lately.

matt.
 
Here's the remainder of all that notice from FWC -- shorter and easier to understand.

Lake Monroe to S.R. 46- Southern limit of zone has been moved north from SR50 to SR46
 
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