Environmental groups suing the state's wildlife agency over manatee protection have reached a settlement in principle that could lead to more restrictions on boating in the Alafia River and in Sulphur Springs, according to Patrick Rose of the Save the Manatee Club.

The settlement still must be signed by the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and the 18 environmental groups that sued last year. But both sides have agreed to its terms, Rose said.

The state agency will adopt additional slow-speed zones in nine counties and designate 14 new manatee sanctuaries where watercraft activity will be sharply limited or off-limits. Those areas will be designed to protect calving or feeding grounds for the endangered marine mammal.

Two of those areas are the Alafia and Sulphur Springs, although Rose said the safe havens will only take up portions of those waterways and not block them entirely to boaters. After establishing the first 14, the agency will examine the need for imposing further protections in other areas, including around Tampa Bay, Rose said.

Three weeks ago the environmental groups reached a similar but broader settlement with the Army Corps of Engineers and the Interior Department that will establish federal manatee sanctuaries and limit waterfront development where manatees congregate.

Assistant to ag chief will be interim successor

TALLAHASSEE -- Gov. Jeb Bush decided Wednesday on a temporary replacement for Agriculture Commissioner Bob Crawford, holding off on a permanent successor to avoid a special election before the legislative session begins in March.

Bush chose Crawford assistant Terry Rhodes to serve until May 11, giving lawmakers time to clear the session. Rhodes, a Republican, will then return to her $112,000-a-year position.

Rhodes, 44, has worked at the department since 1988, becoming assistant commissioner in 1999.

Crawford, 52, is leaving the Cabinet post Jan. 30 after 10 years to become executive director of the Florida Citrus Commission at an annual salary of $200,000, almost twice what he is now paid.

Speculation on a permanent successor for Crawford has centered on a handful of Republican lawmakers, including Sens. Charlie Bronson of Satellite Beach and John Laurent of Bartow and Rep. Paula Dockery of Lakeland. But selection of any of them would have required a special legislative election at a time Bush and Florida lawmakers are working to find solutions to avoid the problems that plagued the 2000 general election.

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Lucy Morgan

From the Times state desk