April 11, 2002 Q1: Why is the Service proposing an exception for Barge Canal?
A1: The Fish and Wildlife Service is proposing an exception to the slow speed zones in Barge Canal to meet the needs of responsible boaters while ensuring that no manatees are taken. In response to our recent proposal to establish 16 additional manatee protection areas, we received comments indicating that certain watercraft uses of waters proposed for designation would be eliminated or severely restricted, and that the loss of these uses would result in substantial hardship to the affected parties. In regard to the two sites for which we have recently made final designations, we received a request for an exception to our regulations in the Barge Canal. After reviewing the partys request, we believe it may be possible to exceed speed zone restrictions within the Barge Canal in a manner that would not result in take of manatees. This would be the case if it could be proven that no manatees were present in the vicinity when the subject activity was to occur. However, our first priority i
