RIVERSPOTTERS

Upper Hillsborough River Navigation Hazards
Note: This list is not comprehensive and there may be other unmapped obstacles. Please remember, the entire river north of the 56th Street bridge is comprised of No Wake or Minimum Wake zones.

Temple Terrace RiverSpotters
Meeting Minutes - Sept. 21, 2006

The meeting was called to order at 7:00pm.  Officer Avari-Cooper welcomed all present and thanked the attendees.

In attendance were Council Member and Hillsborough River Board Chairperson Linda Shattles, Council Member Ron Govin and about 25 interested and enthusiastic citizens.

The meeting began with an overview of the RiverSpotter concept- as one that models a neighborhood Community Watch Program- while catering to the specific needs and issued facing river residents and river users.  The program will facilitate the goals of Special Act 86-335 and try to improve the water quality and quantity, improve safety and use of the river, protect wildlife and it’s habitat along the river and assist with boater education, assistance and river specific community service.

Issues from the last meeting were reported on:

Wake Violators- The marine unit has spent numerous hours of enforcement, issuing large numbers of warnings, and a smaller number of citations- all in the hope of reducing this problem.  Discussion was held about the issue still being important and about some violations occurring after sunset.  The marine unit will respond to this with unannounced patrols during those hours.

Possible Illegal Poaching- A complaint was investigated, the suspect had a permit for raccoons, however, was unaware of the ELAP restraints.  Through dialogue, the subject was made aware of the protected areas, and has not returned.

Crime Prevention- Daily patrols, and residential special watches have increased the Marine Unit’s visibility on the river.  Also, crime prevention discussions have been held with numerous individual residents on the river banks to point out potential issues before they become problematic.

Posting of Navigation Hazards- I spent numerous hours in an airboat, with a GPS and a camera, while the river was at its lowest point.  The survey was then transposed (by our GIS department) onto a .PDF chart of the river.  Now we have a visual depiction of most major hazards, with lat/long numbers, so that boaters can be aware of potential issues.  This information will be uploaded to the River Web Site, as well as be available at each boat ramp on the river.  The map has been complied, verification is in progress and it should be publicly available soon.

Canoe/Kayak Trail- No progress made, still attempting to locate viable contacts.

911 Awareness Signage- Dialogues with the Hillsborough County 911 Administration have occurred.  They are in the process of examining the issue and will come up with appropriate signage.  There were also discussions of potential 911 locator points in the upper reaches of the river (similar to the ones depicted on Bay News 9 for the north-western county recreational trails).

In new business I wanted to recognize Wendy and Jim Badger.  Unbeknownst to most of us, this couple has gone out on their boat once, and sometimes twice a day, for years now- picking up trash and debris in the river.  I hope to get City Council to recognize their efforts, and in doing so, kick-start a river and City wide trash reduction campaign.

Several of our members were interested in the old Bat Tower and what could be done to either restore or replace it.  After discussion, it was decided that a group of us would begin to tackle the idea.

Officer Tracy Mishler of the Temple Terrace Police Department’s Crime Prevention Division made a presentation on the Crime Watch program and solicited input and participation.

Attendees were given the URL for the new Temple Terrace River website www.templeterrace.com/river/index.htm and the cell phone number for the Marine Unit,
(813) 385-8756.  Also provided was the Marine Unit’s email address:
cavari-cooper@templeterrace.com.
All were reminded that the 911 system is available in the event of an emergency.