Jacksonville Waterways Commission Convenes Today to Address Maritime and Environmental Policy

Waterways Commission Set for Wednesday Morning Session

JACKSONVILLE, FL — The City of Jacksonville continues its mid-March legislative calendar today, Wednesday, March 11, 2026, with a primary focus on the city's vital maritime assets. The Jacksonville Waterways Commission is scheduled to meet this morning to discuss a range of issues involving the management, protection, and enhancement of the region's aquatic resources.

Meeting Details and Leadership

The commission will gather at 9:30 a.m. in the Council Chamber, located on the first floor of City Hall at the St. James Building, 117 West Duval Street. The session is scheduled to run until approximately 11:30 a.m. Jacksonville City Council Member Ken Amaro, who serves as the Chair of the Waterways Commission, will lead the proceedings. As a standing body of the local government, the commission is tasked with advising the City Council on all matters related to the St. Johns River and its tributaries. While agendas vary by session, the commission typically deliberates on the following critical areas:

• Dredging projects and navigational safety improvements within the St. Johns River and the Intracoastal Waterway.
• Environmental conservation efforts, with a particular focus on manatee protection zones and water quality monitoring.
• Review and recommendations for permits regarding residential and commercial dock construction.
• Collaboration with state and federal maritime agencies on coastal resiliency and flood mitigation strategies.

Broader Government Activity and Upcoming Events

While the Waterways Commission takes center stage today, other branches of the Jacksonville government are preparing for a high-profile schedule for the remainder of the week. Mayor Donna Deegan is currently finalizing preparations for a community town hall scheduled for tomorrow, Thursday, March 12. That event, which will be held at Mandarin High School at 6:00 p.m., is part of a citywide tour focusing on housing affordability, healthcare access, and infrastructure improvements.

Additionally, Council Member Mike Gay has noticed a public meeting for tomorrow evening to discuss Ordinance 2026-0060. This meeting, taking place at the Heckscher Drive Community Club, will address a specific rezoning application for a commercial storage facility. These sessions serve as a precursor to the full committee cycle beginning next week, where the Finance, Rules, and Land Use and Zoning (LUZ) committees will return to the Council Chamber to debate pending legislation.

Public Participation and Access

Today's Waterways Commission meeting is open to the public, and citizens are encouraged to attend to stay informed on local environmental and maritime policy. For those unable to visit City Hall in person, the proceedings are typically made available via the city’s official live-streaming platforms and archived for later review through the Legislative Services Division.