Commission takes steps to make boating safer on Santa Fe River

By John M. Ayers

The Gilchrist County Commission approved ordinance 2011-10 to begin the process of identifying “No Wake Zones” on areas of the Santa Fe River that are congested. This ordinance will be one of several guidelines that will be enforced by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission along the boundaries of Columbia, Suwannee, Gilchrist and Lafayette counties. All four counties will first approve an ordinance before the FWC will begin to install signs on the river’s edge.
FWC has identified the areas where the Santa Fe and Suwannee Rivers join as a No Wake Zone area. The area approaching Guy Lemmon Park boat ramp near US 129 on the Santa Fe River will also be a no wake zone. The area approaching Sandy Point boat ramp will be a no wake zone. The area leading up to Ellie Ray’s boat ramp will become a no wake zone.
Commissioner D. Ray Harrison, Jr. made a motion to approve the ordinance which was seconded and unanimously approved.