(1) The trustees may issue leases or letters of consent to riparian landowners, special event promoters, and boat show owners to allow the installation of temporary structures, including docks, moorings, pilings, and access walkways, on sovereign submerged lands solely for the purpose of facilitating boat shows and displays in, or adjacent to, established marinas or government-owned upland property. Riparian owners of adjacent uplands who are not seeking a lease or letter of consent shall be notified by certified mail of any request for such a lease or letter of consent before approval by the trustees. The trustees shall balance the interests of any objecting riparian owners with the economic interests of the public and the state as a factor in determining whether a lease or letter of consent should be executed over the objection of adjacent riparian owners. This section does not apply to structures for viewing motorboat racing, high-speed motorboat contests, or high-speed displays in waters where manatees are known to frequent.
(2) A lease or letter of consent for a special event under subsection (1):
(a) Shall be for a period not to exceed 45 days and a duration not to exceed 10 consecutive years.
(b) Shall include a lease fee, if applicable, based solely on the period and actual size of the preemption and conditions to allow reconfiguration of temporary structures within the lease area with notice to the department of the configuration and size of preemption within the lease area.
(c) The lease or letter of consent may contain appropriate requirements for removal of the temporary structures, including the posting of sufficient surety to guarantee appropriate funds for removal of the structures should the promoter or riparian owner fail to do so within the time specified in the agreement.
(3) This section does not allow any lease or letter of consent that would result in harm to the natural resources of the area as a result of the structures or the activities of the special events agreed to.
History.—s. 1, ch. 98-339; s. 5, ch. 2013-92.