NEWS PRESS

April 28, 2007

 

Marina gets Williams in hot water

Lawmaker's bill draws criticism from Dem

By Jim Ash

 

TALLAHASSEE — A Fort Myers lawmaker came under fire Friday from political opponents for pushing legislation that would allow a banned marina on the Caloosahatchee River.

 

Republican Rep. Trudi Williams faced questions while the House debated her bill, HB 957, designed to streamline wetlands permitting for development projects smaller than 5 acres.

 

A day before it reached the House floor, Williams added an amendment that would allow Naples developer Donald Epler to expand his 28-slip marina on Hancock Creek by adding 352 dry storage slips.

 

That drew sparks from a Democratic critic.

 

"I don't understand," said Rep. Susan Bucher, D-West Palm Beach. "I need an explanation for this specialty provision."

 

Without naming him, Williams defended Epler, saying he had won county approval for expansion, and agreed to limit boat traffic to 50 a day.

 

Epler and three other projects that have been put on hold shouldn't suffer because the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission has determined more marinas would be too dangerous to the endangered manatee, Williams said.

 

"These are permits that have already been approved but were not built yet," Williams said. "It's always been a manatee issue."

 

The House could vote on the measure as early as Monday.

 

A companion, SB 2082, is poised to reach the Senate floor.