Chris Verlinde
Florida Sea Grant Extension Agent
Santa Rosa County
chrismv@ufl.edu

The NW Florida Regional Workshop on boating and waterways management will be held in Milton, Florida, August 16 and 17, 2011. The workshop will examine innovative strategies that will assist managers, planners, policy-makers, and other marine interests as they attempt to balance economic vitality with ecologically sound management practices along Northwest Florida’s waterways.

Boat refueling at a recognized Florida Clean Marina. Photo Credits: Andrew Diller

The first day of the workshop will consist of presentations by local and state experts.  The second day of the workshop will be half day facilitated planning session designed to allow participants to conduct strategic planning for boating and waterways in Northwest Florida. 

Boating and waterways management consists of many aspects including: mooring sites, identification and assessment of boat ramps, characterization of what boaters do when they go boating, endangered and threatened species management, natural resource protection, best management practices to maintain water quality, boating safety, sea level rise, derelict vessels and much more. Waterway and boating issues are important issues that need to be addressed in order to balance the economic impact from our water dependent uses and the health and safety of our water resources.

To make this workshop relevant to participants in NW Florida, please help us determine the topics for the workshop by taking this short survey:

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/GQHVXZ7

Make plans now to attend this exciting workshop!! For more information, check out the Florida Sea Grant Website http://www.flseagrant.org and click on the NW Boating Workshop icon.

John Wells