Boatload of regs ahead for floating biz

The owners and operators of floating business structures within Okaloosa County and Destin, Fla., may be facing a boatload of regulations for 2018. Okaloosa County is working on a draft ordinance to regulate floating structures moored in waterways within its jurisdiction. The Destin City Council, working with the county, plans to host a public workshop Jan. 8 to discuss possible ways of regulating Crab Island, a major summertime tourist party spot, which isn’t in Destin’s city limits. However, in June, a new state law that “authorizes local government to enact and enforce certain regulations” on waters falling within its jurisdiction. The law gives local authorities a first-ever ability to regulate commercial activities such as Crab Island. Destin already has an ordinance that prohibits floating structures from most parts of Destin Harbor and city waterways, but allowing for floating structures in commercial marinas. The biggest concern is for those structures breaking loose during a storm and becoming a hazard to boaters and commercial barges. (Source: NW Florida Daily News 12/26/17)