T&T: Anchoring in Florida

[Ron Rogers]

Here is some text from the "Naples News":

"Federal law restricts the interruption of a vessel while it is legally 
navigating a waterway, according to a University of Florida study of 
navigational laws and rights in the state.
Through the Rivers and Harbors Act, the federal government exercises control 
over activities that relate to maritime commerce and navigation, states the 
study, which was published by UF's Levin College of Law.

Under the act, the Army Corps of Engineers has the authority to regulate the 
creation of "any obstruction ... to the navigable capacity of any waters in 
the U.S.," the study says.

Visiting boaters have a positive impact on the island's economy, Rich 
Michaels of Marco Island said. He quoted a recent edition of BoatU.S. 
Magazine that Michaels said reported that occupants of a visiting boat to 
Palm Beach County each spend $59 per day."

The local debate in Marco Island, FL embodies all the forces at work 
inpassing local ordinances, although I didn't read about overt developer 
influence. Had it been left to the Marco Island City staff, it would be a 3 
day limit with a "land use" staffer to determine where boaters may anchor!

Ron Rogers