INCREASED FISHING VIOLATIONS

NEWS RELEASE

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

December 28, 2002

CONTACT: Adnan Alhilawi (407) 846-5300

KISSIMMEE RIVER BOAT RAMP CLOSED FOR RENOVATIONS JAN. 7

The boat ramp on the Kissimmee River at the State Road 60 bridge in Polk County will be closed beginning Monday, Jan. 7 for three to four weeks while boat ramp crews from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) renovate and upgrade the facility.
The ramp is one of two located within about 100 yards of each other at the State Road 60 bridge. The one undergoing renovation is the steeper of the two ramps; the other ramp will remain open during the construction.
When completed, the new ramp will be a wide, handicapped-accessible, single ramp surrounded by a fabric erosion control material called Fabriform that will be installed on either side of the ramp and extend 20 feet next to the ramp into the water.
The existing ramp is not handicapped-accessible, and the surrounding upland area, as well at the ramp, is deteriorating.
The renovation will cost $35,000 to $40,000 and will be funded through the FWC and the Federal Aid in Sportfish Restoration Program, one of the most successful conservation programs in the world. Since 1950, the program has provided more than $2.6 billion to state and fish wildlife agencies to increase recreational fishing and boating opportunities across the United States. In 2000, the state of Florida received more than $6.2 million through the program to help improve state fishing and boating opportunities in both fresh and saltwater.
The Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration Program is a user pay/user benefit system. The revenue is generated through a federal excise tax that is attached to fishing equipment and motorboat fuels when anglers and boaters purchase them. This tax is imposed upon the manufacturers that pass it along to the end user - the angler and boater. The tax collected is passed back to the individual state fish and wildlife agencies based on the number of fishing licenses sold in the state, and the land and water area of the state, to be used on recreational fishing and boating projects.

Take Me Fishing.org is a great general information site for recreational anglers and boaters.

Florida Fishing Capital of the World--Great Resources, Responsible Management