The Florida Department of Environmental Protection is OK with commercial vessels using the public day dock at the Historic Bridge Street Pier.
The city of Bradenton Beach received the notice late April 18, after The Islander’s press time, relating the DEP opinion about commercial activity on the dock.
The city reached out to the DEP Feb. 29 to get a final opinion about the nature of the dock. The land under the dock is leased to the city from the state through the DEP, and what the DEP says goes.
Mary Yeargan, DEP southwest district director, wrote to the city, “The day dock allows for the temporary mooring of vessels on a first come, first served basis. This includes vessels that offer services to various public uses that do not generate revenue within the lease area.”
As long as money doesn’t change hands for dock business on the dock or at AMOB, the restaurant leased to the city, everything is OK.
Yeargan’s letter also clarifies there are no restrictions on how long a vessel can be moored at the dock, but the DEP is not opposed to the city establishing time restrictions to keep boaters from lingering.
Bradenton Beach Mayor Bill Shearon said April 20 he would update the city commission about the letter during a public meeting at noon Thursday, April 21.
“The letter confirms the city hasn’t done anything wrong,” Shearon said. “But we’re waiting on legal council to see how the city should move forward.”
