§ 5-8. Motorboats powered by gasoline or other motor fuels prohibited on Blue Lake.

(a)

Findings.

(1)

The board of county commissioners hereby finds that Blue Lake, a small lake located in Sections 7 and 8, Township 19 South, Range 27 E, Lake County, Florida because of its small size, is not suitable to have motorboats powered by gasoline or other motor fuels operated within or on such lake without causing a danger and a hazard to persons using such lake.

(2)

The board of county commissioners hereby finds that because Blue Lake is such a small lake, if motor boats are used within or on such lake, it is likely that water quality problems will result either from gasoline or other motor fuel or from destruction of native vegetation.

(b)

As used in this section, the terms vessel, operate and motorboat shall have the same meaning as provided in F.S. § 327.02.

(c)

It shall be unlawful for any person to operate any motorboat powered by gasoline or other motor fuel in or upon the waters of Blue Lake, a lake located in Sections 7 and 8, Township 19 South, Range 27 E, Lake County, Florida, except in cases where such motorboat is being used for an emergency.

(d)

Signs shall be posted at any public boat ramp or other public launching points on Blue Lake, and at other locations along such lake as the county manager or designee determines are necessary providing notice of this regulation.

(e)

As provided by F.S. § 327.73, a violation of this section shall be a civil infraction and shall be subject to the civil penalties provided for in that section. In addition, any person who violates this section and who fails to accept and sign a summons or who fails to appear or otherwise properly respond to a citation shall be subject to the criminal penalties provided for in that section.

(Ord. No. 2003-2, § 1, 1-21-03)