The Southwest Florida Water Management District’s Governing Board Tuesday agreed to issue a non-exclusive license agreement to the Citrus County Airboat Alliance to Potts Preserve.
The agreement will replace a temporary permit and allow the airboat group to continue to use and maintain a remote picnic and camping area located in the northwest portion of the preserve on the North Loop Road for a five-year term with the option to renew the agreement for two additional five-year terms.
As part of the original temporary permit, the District and the Alliance placed picnic tables, barbecue grills, fire rings, public information signage and a shed at the site. The Alliance and the general public use the site for picnicking, camping, fishing and nature appreciation. The airboat group performs routine maintenance, including mowing, trash pickup and stabilizing the entrance road.
As part of the extended agreement the site will be open to the general public at all times and the Alliance will continue to maintain the site. In addition, everyone is required to park boats in the designated areas. The Alliance is required to erect barriers along the shoreline to prohibit boats from degrading the shorelines or parking on upland areas and may not construct any more structures or facilities at the site without the District’s written approval.