Be Wary Of Sea Grass

Boaters will have to be mindful of new sea grass protection zones off Hernando Beach.

The county commission on Tuesday unanimously approved a revised ordinance to create about 110 acres of sea grass zones, mostly south of the existing channel. The ordinance calls for numerous warning signs to be posted in the area, and gives law enforcement the ability to write citations to violators. A first offense would cost $100.

The ordinance is required by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection to compensate for the loss of existing sea grass to the county's plans to lengthen and straighten the existing channel. DEP has issued a permit for the dredge but set the sea grass zones as a condition.

The zones are in a shallow area often used by boaters trying to access the channel, County Engineer Charles Mixson told the commission. Scarring from motor boat propellers in the existing sea grass beds is evident, Mixson added.

The hope is that the signs and enforcement will limit traffic and allow the sea grass beds to expand.

The county is currently seeking a permit from DEP for a disposal site for the dredged material. Residents opposed the county's first choice on Eagle Nest Drive and await a hearing before an administrative law judge slated for January. In the meantime, the county is applying for a permit for an alternate site, a county-owned piece of land east of Shoal Line Boulevard.