JAN. 24, 2024 free
VOLUME 32, NO. 14
the Best news on anna maria island since 1992
astheworldterns 6 new arrest in 2017 double-murder. 3
Q&A 012424 3 BB contracts flood prevention. 4 am to review charter. 4
2024 elections 4 Meetings 5 am announces citizen of the year nominees. 5
Opinions 6
10-20 YEARS AGO
looking back. 7
Planners identifying resiliency projects. 8
RoadWatch 8 save the date. 10-11
Happenings What’s up on ami? 10-12 13
Gathering. 14
Derelict boats challenge law enforcement By robert anderson islander reporter
the waters surrounding anna maria Island are littered with derelict boats, prompting concerted efforts by government agencies to address the problem. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is leading an initiative from its law enforcement division to reduce a backlog of the derelict vessels across the state. according to data supplied to the Islander in a Jan.17 email from the FWC, there were 923 active derelict vessel investigations statewide, with an average of 600 new derelict vessels added annually. in manatee county, there were 19 derelict vessels in local waters, according to the FWC. FWc public information officer adam Brown said nine of the 19 vessels were fully investigated and are pending removal. The other 10 were in the investigative process. and that process can be slow moving. One derelict vessel that drifted ashore at De Soto National Memorial, 8300 DeSoto Memorial Highway, Bradenton, has blocked a stretch of beach since it became displaced during Hurricane idalia in late august 2023. Dan Stephens, park ranger, said the
vessel had shifted a few times before coming to a rest along one of the trail heads. He said a removal can take some time because the FWc must try to find a registered owner. Florida law defines “derelict vessels” as those left in a wrecked, junked or substantially dismantled condition on public waters. Vessels can become derelict due to neglect, abandonment or as a result of a natural disaster. The vessels, whether sinking, aground or lacking vital operational systems, create hazards in waterways, posing risks to boaters, wildlife and natural resources. Boats are considered derelict if they fail to meet the criteria of a seaworthy vessel, which: • must be able to move under its own power; • Be secure from the elements; • Have a light while anchoring at night; • Have a current registration. a derelict boat might begin as a lost or abandoned vessel and then become occupied. Once occupied, enforcement agencies have a more difficult time removing a vessel as it is viewed as a domicile. To combat the issue, Brown said the FWC has been active in issuing citations
gas leak closes HB road.
17
Cops & Courts 18 fire district honors team.
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flag football kicks off. 20 Head to docks, piers for sheepshead. 21 HB exploring skimmer options. 22
NYT puzzle. 22 at work at the cellular level. 23
cLASSIFIEDS. 24-25
Isl Biz: 26 tdc to take up stats, trends. 27
and warnings. according to FWc reports, from January 2020 to January 2023, 656 derelict vessel citations and 21 warnings were issued across the state. turn to derelict boats, Page 2
A derelict sailboat rests on its side Jan. 16 near private docks along Bay Drive South in Bradenton Beach. Islander Photo: Robert Anderson
Concerns linger over contamination in Palma Sola Bay By robert anderson islander reporter
scenicWaVes plans for arbor day. 16
islander.org
Palma Sola Bay is under scrutiny as water testing data continues to reveal disparities in water quality between the north and south sides. Suncoast Waterkeeper and the Manatee County Department of Health independently monitor water conditions and results have raised concerns about potential health risks for tyrna people. Palma Sola Bay is a small embayment in west Bradenton that flows into anna maria Sound. Cortez, a community where commercial fishing has long been an important economic activity, is south of the bay. Suncoast Waterkeeper has been collecting water quality data from the north side of palma sola Bay, north of manatee avenue at the Palma Sola Causeway. The group’s results show levels of enterococcus bacteria consistently exceed those recorded on the south side, which is monitored by the health department. The testing site on the south shore of the bay is east of the first humpback bridge and Suncoast Waterkeeper tests on the north
People can be seen wading and fishing in the waters of Palma sola Bay on the south side of the Palma sola causeway, in spite of a posted warning of contamination from the manatee county department of Health during a past incident. islander file Photo: Bonner Joy
shoreline just before the bridge. Enterococcus bacteria, commonly associated with fecal contamination, can pose serious health risks, including gastrointestinal issues and skin infections. abbey tyrna, executive director for SCWK said test results for the north side indicate contamination levels that typically would warrant a public safety warning. For reference, a report of 0-35 cells per 100 milliliters of marine water is considered good, 36-70 cells is moderate and 71 or greater is poor.
The group’s Jan. 8 report for north Palma Sola Bay showed 364 cells per 100 milliliters. a dec. 26, 2023, test showed 379 cells per 100 milliliters. a dec. 18, 2023, test showed 1,112 cells per 100 milliliters. The DOH’s Jan. 10 report, for south Palma Sola Bay showed 0-35 cells per 100 milliliters. a Jan. 3 test showed 0-35 cells per 100 milliliters. a dec. 27, 2023, test showed 0-35 cells per 100 milliliters. Tyrna said Jan. 17 that recent talks with the state might enable the local health turn to contamination, Page 5