- December 16, 2025
If approved, Flagler County could have 2.7 miles of slow-speed water zones. Nine weeks until a final decision.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission came to Flagler Wednesday, Feb. 29, to present its latest manatee speed-zone proposal and hear resident input.
Although the length of total slow-zone miles had been reduced to 2.7 from an initial proposal of 6.7 miles — and the warm season, when zones are enforced, was shortened last year from seven months to four, May to September — several residents still see the revised maps as overkill.
“There have been no (manatee) deaths in Flagler County since 2009 — from any cause,” said Palm Coast Mayor Jon Netts, who also chaired the county’s Local Rule Review Committee, which worked with state staff on its revisions. “We’re solving a problem that I don’t think is a local problem. … I think that you’re going to have a significant impact on our economy. … This is not in the best interest of Flagler County.”
Several others agreed.
Flagler Beach resident Sharon Andre told the representatives: “Your proposed zone is in my backyard. … I go boating, and I go fast, and I’ve never hit a manatee.”
She also cited Flagler Beach’s recent bonfire debate. “You’re also in my front yard, on the beach,” she said. “I think the animals are doing OK. … We should push for more education and less regulation.”
“I say, applaud Flagler County at being the best at what you guys want us to be,” Jed Gardner, of Flagler Beach, added. “(But) we’re still being penalized. It’s just dang inconvenient, and it will keep people off the water.”
But to Kipp Frohlich, FWC sections leader, the zones are “more balanced” than ever, having been created “with more input from the county.”
There is no data to show that speed zones reduce the number of boats in waterways, either, he added, stating that the proposed changes would only increase current water travel time 15 minutes, from one county line to another.
Boating and building permits would also be easier to obtain, he said.
“We are limiting the zones to only be in the most critical areas, the most critical times of the year,” added Chris Boland, FWC engineer. “About 50% of the manatees seen in Flagler County have been seen within these zones, but, again, this is only 15% of the waterway.”
The three zones identified are 1) near the Hammock Dunes bridge (which most residents had no issue with, citing boating safety); 2) in the Lehigh Canal, as well as a stretch of Intracoastal Waterway, from State Road 100 to Beverley Beach; and 3) in the southern end of Flagler County and into Volusia.
From 1974 to 2001, Boland added, 10 manatee deaths were recorded in Flagler and St. Johns counties combined. Since 2002, however, 14 were recorded — 10 of which occurred in Flagler.
Although a few speakers, including Save the Manatee Club Science and Conservation Director Katie Tripp, did stand in support of the FWC’s plan — some even called for more extensive regulation — supporters were in the minority.
“Most boaters, I think, are very good citizens,” said John Slattery, of Palm Coast. “(But this) seems to be the feeling: that (we’re) going out there and recklessly riding (our) boats at high speeds, rolling over anything in (our) way.”
The next speed-zone hearing is tentatively scheduled for April 25 or April 26, in Crystal River.
