Florida bill would help preserve access

Coastal communities in Florida would be required to develop plans to preserve recreational boating and commercial fishing docks under terms of a bill filed this week with Legislature in Tallahassee.



The measure also would increase boat registration fees to raise an additional $4.5 million to be used for public access ramps, piers and docks, the Fort Myers News-Press reported today.



State Sen. Mike Bennett, R-Bradenton, said there aren’t any public docks left in his Southwest Florida district, according to the News-Press. “The boat docks are disappearing so fast, I would like to speed up the process for getting a boat dock permit,” the newspaper quoted him as saying.



Bennett chairs the Senate’s Community Affairs Committee.



Ken Stead, executive director of the Southwest Florida Marine Industries Association, welcomed the measure, but cautioned that it has a long way to go through the legislative process. Still, he told the News-Press, “It’s an excellent sign for boaters,” and indicates legislators “have become aware of the diminishing water access issue.”