§ 7-16. Findings.

The board of county commissioners hereby makes the following findings of fact:

(1)

The Weeki Wachee River, Withlacoochee River, Hernando Beach Channel, Bayport Channel, tributaries and canals connecting thereto and all other navigable waterways, lakes and water bodies within the county are used by the public for any recreation including, without limitation, boating, fishing, swimming, bathing, commerce and transportation.

(2)

The operation of vessel such as boats (regardless of propulsion method), jet skis and airboats—whether outboard or inboard motor(s) or jet drive—driven at excessive speed, or driven in such a manner as to create a wake where wake is prohibited or create excess wake where wake required to be minimized, or driven in a careless, reckless or intentionally dangerous manner, or driven within any prohibited or restricted area causes public safety concerns and is otherwise contrary to the health, safety and welfare of the public at large.

(3)

The health, safety and welfare of the citizens of the county and of all persons using or living along or near the Weeki Wachee River, Withlacoochee River, Hernando Beach Channel, Bayport Channel, canals, tributaries connecting to any of the foregoing, and all other waterways, lakes and water bodies of the county are jeopardized unless the use and operation of vessels are regulated.

(Ord. No. 2011-12, § I, 6-28-11)