Collier County Commissioners to limit boat ramp use for commercial purposes

Reporter: Annette Montgomery Writer: Drew Hill
Published: Updated:
Credit: WINK News

The number of businesses able to use boat ramps will soon be limited in a Southwest Florida County. The Collier County Board of Commissioners approved the decision to convert one area from business to recreational.

WINK News spoke to business owners to see how they’re feeling about the area’s potential change.

County leaders call overcrowding at their boat ramp parks a crisis. Lauren Mills is a recreational boater. “When we come, it’s pretty crowded, but we haven’t had any issues getting on the dock,” Mills said.

The people who do use them often don’t get that far. Kurt Thomas is also a recreational boater. “I’m out here just recreational with the kayaks, and I never had an issue getting on the boat ramps,” said Thomas.

On Tuesday, County commissioners approved a series of regulations at the seven boat ramps across Collier County. One of those regulations caps the number of commercial launch permits issued every year at 180, which is the current number of commercial launch permits for 2021.

Barry Williams is the Collier County Parks and Recreation Manager. “What we’re wanting to talk about this morning is trying to find that sweet spot where we can continue commercial use but make what these ramps were intended to, and that’s recreational boaters,” Williams said.

The County wants primary use for its boat ramps to be recreational and for the secondary use to be commercial. “I don’t think it’s necessary to do that,” said Mills.

Many of the recreational users are all for the commercial use of the boat ramps. “We take the kayaks out; we never had an issue. When the businesses do come, you know they do drop them. They’re in and out fast,” said Mills.

Thomas says he’s actually advocating for local businesses. “I’m a big advocate for, you know, small businesses and local businesses. So, I don’t think they should cut down on that,” Thomas said.

Caxambas Park is zoned as noncommercial and falls under Marco Island’s zoning ordinances. County leaders say that if they cannot find out how to manage the large influx of people at Caxambas, there will be no commercial businesses there.

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