Jacksonville Waterways Commission Meeting – May 13, 2026

The Jacksonville Waterways Commission (JWC) met on Wednesday, May 13, 2026, at 9:30 AM in the Council Chamber, City Hall. The meeting was chaired by CM Ken Amaro and adjourned at 10:58 AM. Key topics included a water quality and manatee status report, a presentation from the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office Marine Unit, discussion of a boat ramp extension at St. Johns Marina, and updates on Shad Creek and the George Crady Bridge.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of Minutes: The minutes of the April 15, 2026, JWC meeting were approved without objection.
• 2026-0332 (Legislation): Ordinance authorizing a second amendment to the agreement with Jacksonville University for manatee protection studies, increasing maximum indebtedness by $193,549 to a new total not to exceed $283,549. This item was assigned by the Council President, giving the JWC grounds to act. It was moved, seconded, and approved without objection.
• 2026-0349 (Resolution): A resolution declaring May 16–22, 2026, as National Safe Boating Week in Jacksonville. This resolution had already been approved unanimously by City Council on May 12, 2026, so it was presented for informational purposes only.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Carnell Oliver: Expressed criticism of consolidated government, stating it has failed Black American communities. Called for power to be returned to neighborhoods and questioned the enforcement of the Neighborhood Bill of Rights.
• John Nooney: Spoke about the FIND (Florida Inland Navigation District) organization and the JWC’s role, noting that FIND uses ad valorem tax money for public access. Submitted handouts including a downtown Jacksonville visitor map that he said omits a kayak launch.
• Jake Jacobs: Thanked Council Member Diamond and other council members for committing to introduce a budget line item for a watershed study on Hogpen Creek. He noted the mayor’s office stated they would execute the study if added to the budget, and requested the commission’s support.

Discussion Items

• St. Johns River Status Report on Water Quality & Manatees – Dr. Gerard Pinto (Jacksonville University)

  • Reported that the city remains in a drought, with the St. Johns River Water Management District having declared a water shortage. Salinity levels are elevated across all areas.
  • Recent rainfall (a couple of inches) had cooled water temperatures by approximately one degree to 77°F but had not reduced salinity. Year-to-date rainfall is five inches below normal.
  • Algal bloom conditions from Jacksonville south to Lake George showed mixed algae with no toxins.
  • Two manatee deaths since the last meeting: one at the Queens Harbor lock (second death at that location this year) and one near the U.S. Coast Guard Station (not necropsied, cause undetermined).
  • Conducted an aerial survey in April, counting 88 manatees in the area.
  • In response to questions, Dr. Pinto explained that manatees can be drawn into lock gates or crushed when gates close. Sensors are required by state law and the federal Endangered Species Act but can malfunction. He has contacted the lockmaster and plans to meet to discuss improved monitoring, noting that lock operators have been reticent.

• Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office (JSO) Marine Unit Presentation – Lt. Kevin Kilcoin

  • Overview of the Marine Unit: responsible for safety, enforcement of state and local boating laws, emergency calls, routine patrols, port security, search and rescue, and coordination with state/federal partners.
  • Personnel structure: 11.42-hour patrol schedule, four officers per shift, monthly training. Unit covers 75 square miles of navigable waterways year-round.
  • Facility: located at the end of University Boulevard next to the Lions Club boat ramp, with eight boat lifts, two floating docks, a 6,200 sq ft building with generator for hurricane staging.
  • Equipment: patrol boats (some with soft-sided collars to reduce damage during stops), a landing craft for mass rescue, two jet skis, a John boat, and a 32-foot vessel seized as evidence.
  • Call volume: approximately 1,000 calls per year; busiest days are Friday–Sunday; calls begin to pick up around 7:00 AM. Top call locations are bridges and boat ramps.
  • Boating statistics from 2024 FWC report: over 65,000 registered vessels in Duval and surrounding counties. St. Johns County ranked ninth in boating accidents; Duval County’s ranking is expected to rise due to a single accident with four fatalities near Dames Point Bridge. 65% of fatal accidents involved operators with no formal training.
  • Education efforts: officers distribute educational pamphlets and prefer education over citations. The unit has a booth at the Jacksonville Boat Show.
  • New challenges: Florida’s Boater Freedom Act (2025) requires probable cause for vessel safety stops and marine sanitation equipment inspections. Previously, officers could use green dye tablets to test for waste discharge.
  • Life jacket requirement: children under six on vessels under 26 feet must wear a life jacket (state statute). Federal rule requires under 13, but that does not apply in Florida state law.
  • Boater safety education: required only for those born on or after January 1, 1988. The Florida Boating Advisory Council is working with FWC on potential legislation for bow riding and a licensing requirement.
  • Bow riding: state removed the rule in 2016 that treated it as careless operation; the legislature is not currently interested in revisiting it, but the Boating Advisory Council is drafting legislation.
  • Port security: twice-daily patrols at NAS Jacksonville, ship escorts at Mayport, and checks at JAXPORT and the cruise terminal.
  • Waterborne Response Team: trains for active shooter and suspect takedowns on vessels; officers transport detainees in front of center console for safety.
  • Special events: support for Jaguars games, Sea & Sky Air Show, fireworks, Kingfish Tournament, and Ironman Jacksonville (river closure May 16 from 7:00 AM to noon). Interagency coordination with Coast Guard, Nassau/Clay/St. Johns counties, and FWC.
  • Hazards to navigation: concrete floating docks removed roughly monthly; large debris like carpet also removed. Officers use winches on trucks to haul items up boat ramps.
  • Inlet safety: emphasized the dangers of misjudging markers, citing José Fernández’s death. The Mayport inlet jetties are difficult to see at high tide and night. Lieutenant agreed that markers closer to jetties would help but noted they must withstand strong currents. Education of officers is key.
  • Fort George Inlet: a popular party area with constantly changing sandbars; officers train frequently and use drone unit for depth mapping.
  • Manatee protection zones: confusing signage; education emphasized over citations.
  • Search and rescue: capability up to 90–100 miles offshore; drone unit integration is the future. Kayak registration is not required, complicating search for missing persons.

• St. Johns Marina Ramp Extension & Public Access – Brian Burket (Parks Department)

  • The ramp (on the Southbank) was built in 1965 at 42 feet, extended to 54 feet in 2005. Located on the inside bend of the river, it silts in regularly.
  • A FIND grant obtained in 2017 for dredging and possible lengthening was paused due to an old, unengineered bulkhead and a restaurant above it; engineers refused to design. Bulkhead has since been replaced.
  • A new FIND grant for designing spot dredging at downtown access docks/boat ramps is now in construction phase. Construction grant expected by end of 2026, with dredging performed in summer 2027.
  • Mr. Retterbush (email sender) and others want a 12-foot extension (to 64 feet). No funding currently. Burket recommends proceeding with dredging first, then considering extension. He cautioned that a longer ramp would also bury over time, necessitating regular maintenance dredging for which no funding exists.
  • Parking: 13–15 spaces currently. Redevelopment of the adjacent former River City Brewing property will transfer the entrance driveway to the developer. Public Works has a project to redirect traffic via the parking lot under the Acosta Bridge, gaining a few spaces. Construction may require periodic ramp closures.
  • Boat slips: the city does not provide long-term slips; private industry expected to build them as part of redevelopment.
  • Mr. Hardesty expressed disagreement with extending the ramp, citing constrained area, traffic problems, insufficient parking, and suggesting another downtown site may be better.

Key Outcomes

• Minutes of April 15, 2026, approved.
• Ordinance 2026-0332 (manatee study contract amendment) approved without objection.
• Resolution 2026-0349 (Safe Boating Week) noted as passed by City Council; no commission action needed.
• JSO Marine Unit presentation received; commission expressed appreciation and requested additional monitoring of Shad Creek slow zone (CM Gay) and distribution of educational materials through bait and tackle stores (Mr. Hardesty). Lieutenant confirmed both requests.
• St. Johns Marina dredging project to proceed; commission noted concerns about parking and future maintenance. No vote taken.
• Shad Creek Resolution: CM Gay continues work with Captain Suber to compile information for FWC.
• George Crady Bridge: Meeting with state representatives postponed due to session; future meeting to be scheduled.
• Artificial reef project: Mr. Hardesty announced a contractor secured for a 500-ton rubble reef in the Harms Ledge area, projected deployment in August 2026. This is the first artificial reef in the city in 20 years, supported by a $120,000 FWC grant.