AR-News: (US FL) Lee considers lawsuit over manatee zones

[Animalara2003 at aol.com]

Commission opts for negotiations first
By CARIE L. CALL, ccall at news-press.com
 Published by news-press.com on March 09, 2004

If Lee County can’t reach a compromise with federal officials over manatee 
speed zones in local waterways, commissioners said Monday they would consider 
filing a federal lawsuit to fight for less restrictive boating rules. 
Commission Chairman John Albion asked Steve Boutelle, Lee County’s marine 
engineering manager, to spend the next 30 days negotiating with the U.S. Fish & 
Wildlife Service to see if some speed zones can be lifted and if others could 
have increased boat speeds. 
“Let’s try to work toward reason,” Albion said. “If they aren’t listening 
and we can’t get to reason ... if we let it go ... I feel it will end in a 
lawsuit.” He said the lawsuit could be filed soon or three to five years from now. 
But, Albion said, the county should “battle to get it right.” 



full story:

http://www.news-press.com/news/local_state/040309manatees.html 
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