TAVARES — Commissioners Catherine Hanson and Debbie Stivender along with representatives from the Lake County Department of Environmental Services and the Lake County Sheriff’s Office will board Monday morning on two boats to view some of the proposed blueways trails.

The new program, introduced to the Lake County Board of County Commissioners last week, aims to identify scenic waterways that feature nearby amenities for canoeists and kayakers. A nationwide program, the permitting process for blueways designations includes approvals from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission, the U.S. Corps of Engineers and the U.S. Coast Guard.

A blueway is similar to a hiking trail. Physical and geo-positioned markers guide trail users through the waterways. An ideal blueway also includes an abundance of scenery and wildlife as well as easy canoe access. Perhaps most importantly, each blueway designation requires the ability to respond to waterborne emergency search and rescue situations, which Lake County has had the ability to do for some time.

Interested media representatives that may want to ride along on the boats can contact Chris Patton, communications coordinator. The boats will leave from Wooton Park near Lake Dora in downtown Tavares at 9:30 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 24.

The blueways Web page, www.lakecountyfl.gov/lake_county_blueways/, allows the public to view the proposed waterway trails. Citizens are encouraged to comment on the program or suggest existing amenities along a trail by e-mailing blueways@co.lake.fl.us.

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Contact information:
Christopher Patton
Communications Coordinator
Office: (352) 343-9609; Cell: (352) 455-0445
cpatton@co.lake.fl.us