RAM floating dock construction has begun

[north miami]

****Yet again another giant cause for applauding the promotion and use of  low/no impact hand launched,hand propelled small craft.
Perhaps routine year round acceess to such facility limited to such craft.Try that one on for size.****

I'll take it.  Boats with motors are just too noisy for me and they scare away all of the things I want to see when I'm out on the water.

It would be very simple to restrict power boat access to event periods and provide year-round access to hand launched vehicles by having the kayak launch close to the riverbank and then having the gate between the kayak launch and the boat dock.

It would be interesting to know of any such arrangement throughout Florida.I am thinking Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission Office of Boating and Waterways.

This is going to get interesting.

[Noone]

I traded a few emails with Eric Lindstrom from JEDC:

Doug: Initially, the use of the dock will be tied to RAM and special events occurring under the Fuller Warren Bridge and the riverwalk.

RAM-501-c/   Special events-Entertainment District-Be concerned

Another reason why the Promised 680' Downtown Pier needs to be separate.

Also an amendment to 2010-856 to not only exempt Downtown but the Waterways of the St. Johns River our American Heritage River. The legislation is still pending action.

Be concerned.
Keep score.

[Ocklawaha]

Check this out over in ALACHUA, COUNTY, ordinances on power craft... How hard would it be to duplicate this specific to the floating dock, We could toss in the rest of the paddling world of Duval too...

Hogan's, Mc Coy's, Big and Little Fishweir, West Branch, Cedar Creek,
Little Broward, Mink Creek, Mill Branch, Deese Creek, Pumpkin Hill Creek, Sawpit Creek, Gunnison Creek, Simpson Creek, Willow Branch, Myrtle Creek, Deep Creek, Sand Creek, Haulover Creek, Garden Creek, Sisters Creek, Horseshoe Creek, Clapboard Creek, Cabbage Hammock Creek,  Grandaddy Branch, Samples Creek, Burton Creek, Edwards Creek, Starrett Creek, Boathouse Creek, Cedar Swamp Creek, Boggy Branch, Buck Head Branch, Sawmill Slough, Ryal's Swamp Branch, Ginhouse Creek, Jones Creek, Cowhead Creek, St. Johns Creek, Shipyard Creek, Colorinda Creek, Mud Flats Creek, Tiger Pond Creek, Silversmith Creek, Miller Creek, New Rose Creek, Christopher Creek, Goodby's Creek, Gum Swamp Run, Sweetwater Creek, Oldfield Creek, Comorant Creek, Durbin Creek, Deep Bottom Creek, Plummers Creek, Pirates Cove, Fishing Creek, Butchner Pen Creek, Williamson Creek, Wills Branch, Bulls Bay Creek, Sixmile Creek, Little Six Mile Creek, Mc Girts Creek, CFirst Puncheon Branch, Wolf Creek, Strawberry Creek, Red Bay Branch, Newcastle Creek, Edenfield Creek, Mill Dam Branch, Pablo Creek, Open Creek, Sandy Run, Cemetery Creek, Caldwell Branch, Brandy Branch, Thomas Creek, Seaton Creek, Inconsternation Creek, Deep Creek, Moores Branch, Garden Creek, De Blieu Creek, Kestner Creek, Greenfield Creek, Mt Pleasant Creek, Hogpin Creek, Cradle Creek, Hopkins Creek, Nine Mile, Half Creek, Gulley Creek, Moncrief Creek, Fishing, Blockhouse, Deer, Craigs, Big and Little Pottsburg Creek south of Beach, Little Trout River, the Ortega River south of Collins, Cedar River north of San Juan, etc...

Wow, that was fun...

CHAPTER 114.  WATERWAYS AND BOAT RAMPS*

__________
*Cross references:  Canals, ch. 53; health and safety, tit. 7; surface waters and wetlands, ch. 359; boat docks, § 393.05; waterfront properties, § 393.39.

__________

Sec. 114.01.  Definitions.
As used in this chapter:
(a)   Motorboat  shall mean any vessel which is propelled or powered by machinery and which is capable of being used as a means of transportation on water.
(b)   Operate  shall mean to navigate or otherwise use a vessel.
(c)   Person  shall mean an individual, partnership, firm, corporation, association, or other entity.
(d)   Vessel  is synonymous with "boat" as referenced in section 1(b), article VII of the Constitution of the State of Florida, and includes every description of watercraft, barge, and air boat, other than a seaplane on the water, used or capable of being used as a means of transportation on water.
(Ord. No. 89-13, § 1, 8-22-89)
Cross references:  Definitions and rules of construction generally, § 10.02.

Sec. 114.02.  Purpose of chapter.
The board of county commissioners finds that the operation of motorboats and other motorized watercraft on the lakes, and bays leading to lakes, located in unincorporated Alachua County, in areas where congestion is likely to occur or is occurring, poses a safety problem requiring the establishment of speed zones in order to protect the lives and property of all persons operating such craft, and those who might come in contact with such craft.
(Ord. No. 89-13, § 1, 8-22-89)

Sec. 114.03.  Creation of dangerous wake.
Within the unincorporated territory of the county, no person shall operate a motorboat or watercraft while propelled by a motor or engine, within the area encompassed by an "Idle-Speed/No-Wake" sign, at a speed greater than "idle-speed/no-wake," or at any speed greater than that speed that is necessary to maintain steerage, until such motorboat or watercraft has passed a sign facing the operator of the vessel reading "Resume Normal Safe Operation," or the next posted speed designation. The Alachua County Department of Public Works shall be responsible for posting signs as provided for in this chapter at such specific sites within the unincorporated area of Alachua County as expressly directed and authorized by the board of county commissioners.
(Ord. No. 89-13, § 1, 8-22-89; Ord. No. 95-5, § 1, 4-18-95)

Sec. 114.04.  No-wake zones on Melrose Bay.
The board of county commissioners finds that a safety hazard exists with the operation of motorboats and watercraft on Melrose Bay, requiring the establishment of speed zones and placement of "idle-speed/no-wake" signs at all points of entry into Melrose Bay. The Alachua County Department of Public Works is authorized and directed to post and maintain the appropriate regulatory signs to implement this provision.
(Ord. No. 95-5, § 2, 4-18-95)

Sec. 114.05.  Noise and exhaust control.
The provisions of F.S. § 327.65(2)(a) and the standards set forth therein are incorporated herein by reference and such standards shall govern noise pollution and exhaust control of all vessels operated on the lakes, bays, and channels leading into lakes located in Alachua County; such standards shall also apply to any vessels operated in any harbors or dock areas located on lakes located in Alachua County.
(Ord. No. 89-13, § 1, 8-22-89; Ord. No. 95-5, § 3, 4-18-95)
Cross references:  Noise control, ch. 110.

OCKLAWAHA

[Noone]

Thanks.  I found something a little troubling on page 13 of the application... a gate?  So will it only be available to the public on Saturday mornings while the RAM is open?

Just saw this. This is why even though on the surface that you think you are getting all this access to our river. There are potential pieces of legislation that has the potential to restrict our access. The gate being only opened when RAM is open.  Why? I know temporary because of FDEP.

2010-604 - The Promised 680' Downtown Public Pier/ Bay Street Pier Park/ Jacksonville's Tradeport Pier. This is why the pier needs to be separate and outside the control of JEDC. The pier could be open 24 hours. Why not? What a potential TOURISM hub that would create.

2010-856 Transient vendor ban. Collateral legislation on statewide designation of Blueway Paddling trail. Will 501-c's be exempt?

[Noone]

Just heard on WTLV that this Sat. Mayor Peyton will be arriving by boat to open this new floating dock and the additional opportunity that this will provide to everyone to access, promote, celebrate and preserve our St. Johns River our American Heritage River. Congratulations to all who made it happen.

[sheclown]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                         
Contact:  Ginny Walthour, (904) 630-2518
                walthour@coj.net

                                                           

MAYOR PEYTON AND CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS CORRIGAN AND JONES TO OFFICIALLY OPEN NEW FLOATING DOCK ON NORTHBANK RIVERWALK

Floating dock to allow boaters to access to Riverside Arts Market (RAM)

JACKSONVILLE, Fla., March 1, 2011 â€" Jacksonville Mayor John Peyton and City Council members Michael Corrigan and Warren Jones will join members of the Jacksonville Economic Development Commission, the Public Works and Recreation and Community Services departments, and members of the Riverside Arts Market (RAM) and the St. Johns Riverkeeper to officially open the new 200-foot L-shaped floating dock on the western end of the Northbank Riverwalk.

WHEN:            Saturday, March 5 10:30 a.m.

Mayor Peyton and other dignitaries to arrive by boat.

(Immediately following the floating dock ceremony, Mayor Peyton will walk to main stage of RAM for opening day celebrations.)


WHERE:         Northbank Riverwalk (in front of LPS building) 601 Riverside Ave.

The new 200-foot long L-shaped floating dock with a 40-foot long gangway attached, adjacent to the northern approach to the Fuller Warren Bridge, will be open for boaters wishing to access the Riverside Arts Market and the Northbank Riverwalk from the St. Johns River. LPS has been an instrumental partner in the construction of the dock. The $395,000 project was funded by the JEDC’s Northbank Tax Increment fund.

[Garden guy]

Would i be able to put my kayak in there?

[fieldafm]

On the weekends, yes.

During the week, the gate will be locked.  It's a condition from the State of Florida(for the protection of manatees).  GG, call the Parks Dept.  I really want to get the permit modified to allow useage/access for hand launched craft, but it's going to take some effort and community voices to lend a hand.

[Dog Walker]

Part of the problem with access is that the whole area is used for parking by FDS during the work week.  There simply isn't parking available for watercraft delivery there.

There might also be restrictions on use during the week in the lease that FDS has with the FDOT for security and liability reasons.

[Noone]

Congratulations to everyone involved with this project. Heard Wayne Wood on the radio yesterday. Today is Maritime history on our St. Johns River our American Heritage River.

Just think of what true access can bring to our Downtown core as these clusters of piers are expanded.