User Conflicts, Unsafe Boaters - How can we fix these problems?  

An Analysis of User Conflicts (draft)

Lake Tarpon is one of the most popular, and therefore busy freshwater bodies in the state.   We want safety yet complete freedom to pursue each of our favorite activities.  How do we balance the two?  Here are some of the creative ways other heavily populated areas handle this:

• Mission Bay, San Diego, California, is billed as the "World's Finest Aquatic Playground" and best example of how to manage user conflicts.(video available, including an interview with a senior law enforcement official)

Click on this map (455K) to see how the various user areas are set up.  Here are the rules.

• Okeeheelee Park, a county park in West Palm Beach, is a permit-only set of ski lakes maintained by the Ski Club of the Palm Beaches (video available, including an interview with a senior law enforcement official).  Click on map below (208K) for details on this ski-only set of lakes:

• Lake Barreyessa, California has set aside a calm, high-quality area for skiers, separating previously conflicting activities.
• Lake Lauderdale, Florida has been leased to a ski club for practice and tournaments.
• Winter Haven Chain of Lakes, Florida - Turned down an effort to restrict slalom courses
• Orange County, Florida - Allows skiers to take off and land from shore as an exception to the shoreline no wake zone.

Perhaps Lake Tarpon, using proposals in the Lake Tarpon Management Plan, can be the new example for others to follow.  Here is one of two maps of the segmented use plan in the Lake Tarpon Management Plan.

Constructive email is encouraged and welcomed.  Due to possible mail volume, please be patient if you request a response.

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