After months and months of debate over kayak traffic on the Weeki Wachee River, residents may soon start to see a change.
- County does not have jurisdiction over river
- Commissioners want new "take-out point" up river
- Some residents disagree with approach
Hernando County commissioners have agreed to a one-year contract extension with Guest Services, which regulates kayak and boat launches at Weeki Wachee State Park and then pickup at Rogers Park.
Along with that contract, they have asked Guest Services to work with the state to figure out a new pick up point to eventually stop take outs at the state park.
This all comes after months of debate between residents and commissioners over how to reduce kayak traffic on the river. A major obstacle to making substantive changes is the county doesn't have jurisdiction over the river itself -- it's all regulated by the state.
Commissioners hope a take out point up river will help alleviate traffic along the waterways near homes. While some residents don't think this is the right move, others say it will help, although they still say more action needs to be taken to protect the river.
"If we can't stop the people from destroying the shore it's just wasted money," Dr. Tracy Dust said. "The people who really care about the river education will do it. The people who don't care about anything -- the people who would throw garbage out here on the highway, for example -- they do the same thing, they don't care about education. That's why we have to have enforcement."
Currently there is a launch limit of 70 kayaks per hour at the state park. However, commissioners are working on drafting a letter to be sent to the Department of Environmental Protection asking for a carrying capacity study done on the river to see if that limit needs to be changed.
If all goes well, the Guest Services contract could be extended another 4 years.