Michael Aghajanian, President of Guest Services, LLC., spoke to a standing-room-only crowd on Jan 16, 2018. The company that currently operates as Boating in Florida and rents kayaks at the Weeki Wachee river springhead, met with a majority of opposition during the meeting, which was held to inform the public of Boating in Florida’s plan to use the Weeki Wachee Christian Camp as a “take-out point,” where kayakers will exit the river, resulting in lighter traffic to Roger’s Park.
The camp’s current zoning is Agricultural, and would need to be changed to Commercial.
“We’re here for fifteen years, so it’s important for us to be friends and members of the community, to help build the community and invest in the community,” Aghajanian began. “We’re committed to spending $1-million in capital expenses in operating the state park. We’ve also brought some new services in, which will create some employment,” he continued.
To accomplish the goal of using the camp as a take-out point, the Weeki Wachee Christian Camp will need Hernando County to grant the camp a special zoning exemption. The plan was first introduced at the August 22, 2017 Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) meeting, where Boating in Florida’s contract was approved for one year, and the subject of overcrowding of the river, and Hernando County’s jurisdiction and ability to enforce any limitations were discussed.
Aghajanian stated on this night, that launches by Boating in Florida were reduced by 28% and the requirement to reserve a rental time in advance has also been helpful in regulating the number of boaters entering the river through the state park. Boating in Florida is also providing signage to educate kayakers about their interaction with wildlife and the environment. In order to be good stewards of the waterway, Boating in Florida is hosting monthly river cleanups, where volunteers paddle for free while collecting trash and debris from the water and banks.
The conditions of using the Weeki Wachee Christian Camp would include that it is an exit point only, and that no boats can be launched. There will also be no parking for customers of Boating in Florida. The plan is to split exit points between the camp and Roger’s Park. An earlier exit point, approximately one mile from the headspring is still being considered.
The majority of attendees expressed their disapproval of the mere presence of Boating in Florida and its operation. Some residents who have homes along the river and its canals expressed anger and frustration with all boaters, and not just Aghajanian’s company. There seemed to be confusion as well, when attendees learned that no county officials were at the meeting, and that a vote would not be held. The purpose of the meeting was to obtain feedback from the public, record names of those who spoke, and bring the names and feedback to the Board of County Commissioners during an official meeting.
Troy Johnson, a local resident, opposes the plan due to the location and landscape of the proposed take-out ramp. “You’re proposing to (take out) at an S-bend in the river. It’s a very narrow channel, flanked by sandbars … it’s hazardous at best. The current is pushing you… there are multiple collisions (occurring in that area).” Johnson went on to state that the increased number of boaters exiting the river at that location would be disruptive to the sandbars.
Johnson also mentioned the recently-approved capacity study that has not yet started, and that the rezoning would be counter-productive without determining the findings of the study.
As the nearly-two-hour meeting progressed, several other members of the public spoke about their continued concerns. Aside from overcrowding, the topics of safety, environmental disruption, and pollution. The concern about Guest Services being an out-of-town business was voiced repeatedly as well.
As a not-for-profit distribution company, all profits from Boating in Florida over salaries and operational costs are donated to 503-C corporations.
Aghajanian said that the company has also formed a relationship with Save the Manatee, where a portion of kayak rental proceeds on Mondays are donated to the organization.
Paula Eastman is a new resident, purchasing her property on a canal roughly a year ago. Eastman said she’s “absolutely apoplectic about the kayaks that have gone down (the river).
“I think is this absolutely poor stewardship of this river … it’s like a Disney ride … it’s a free-for-all. Half of these people have never been in a kayak.”
She went on to express anger over the disrespect of seabirds and manatees — a common concern among long-time residents as well.
There were voices who spoke up in defense of kayakers and boaters, as well as Guest Services. Dawn, whose family has lived on the river for over 50 years reminded the room that not all problems are due to people enjoying the river. She went on to say that Boating in Florida is not the first company to rent kayaks on the river, and that the practice has been commonplace for at least twenty years. Although opposed to the rezoning of the camp, reminded everyone that the Weeki Wachee is marketed internationally, and is a tourist destination, and that anger toward Guest Services is misplaced.
Jeffrey, a 35-year resident said he was undecided on the issue.
“Everyone forgets … before kayakers, we had tubes.” He went on to describe 40-50 tubes linked together floating down the river.
About the congestion, Jeffrey acknowledged that his ability to get his large boat down the river depends on his attitude toward other boaters and kayakers.
“If I say ‘excuse me, I need the deeper water’ … they move. We live on a river that belongs to everyone, so I think we as a community should figure out the best way to handle it.”
The public comments were recorded, and were required to be presented to the Planning and Zoning Commision the following day (Jan. 17, 2018). The Hernando Sun will follow further meetings.
More on Save The Manatee: https://www.savethemanatee.org/manatees/