Overnight Anchoring Ban Ready For Scott's Signature
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TALLAHASSEE (CBSMiami/NSF) - A proposal that would prohibit overnight anchoring in some South Florida waterways will go to Gov. Rick Scott.
The Senate voted 36-2 without debate Monday to approve the measure, which would bar overnight anchoring in part of the Middle River in Broward County, Sunset Lake in Miami-Dade County and three parts of Biscayne Bay in Miami-Dade.
Sen. Jeff Brandes, of St. Petersburg, and Sen. Joe Negron, from Stuart, opposed the measure, which was approved 105-12 by the House on Thursday.
Supporters of the proposal have pointed to problems that waterfront property owners have with people anchoring off their backyards for weeks and months at a time.
Opponents, including groups such as the Seven Seas Cruising Association, have said mooring space is already limited in South Florida. Critics also asked lawmakers to hold off making the changes until the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission completes an ongoing study --- due in July 2017 --- on pilot mooring-field programs in St. Augustine, Martin County, St. Petersburg, Sarasota and the Florida Keys.
The News Service of Florida contributed to this report.
