Floating iceberg climbing walls and trampolines that have been popping up in Pearl Basin off Calda Channel may be fun for some visitors, but their presence has drawn the attention of state and federal officials who are concerned about their proliferation.

State-owned bay bottom can be used only for water-dependent activities, not climbing walls and trampolines, according to Florida law.

National wildlife refuge managers also are warnings Jet Ski tour operators about taking people into the Key West and Great White Heron refuges, said Anne Morkill, refuges manager. Jet Skis and other personal watercraft, air boats and water skiing are strictly prohibited in the refuges off Key West. Morkill is receiving complaints of personal watercraft racing around the federally protected bird sanctuaries.

Watersports operators contend they are not operating personal watercraft tours in either of the refuges, Sunset Watersports owner Rich Welter said.

Morkill and officials with the state Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) last week met with Sunset Watersports and Fury Water Adventures managers, and plan to meet with others soon.

DEP in late April sent warning letters to Sunset, Fury and Key West watersports operators Sebago and C.T. Charters Inc. The companies have permanently moored floating structures on state submerged lands in Pearl Basin, where that is prohibited.

The meetings so far have been "cordial" and "productive," according to DEP Marathon office Director Gus Rios. Sunset and Fury agreed not to leave the structures in the water permanently, Rios said. DEP officers will not be there every night to monitor the activity, but will make sure they are not moored for extended periods of time, officials said.

"We expect cooperation," Rios said.

One of the main points of contention are Sunset's and Fury's two floating icebergs. Welter, who also stores a barge carrying kayaks there, said he is willing to bring in his floating iceberg every night, calling it a "pain" to maintain.

But he questions why operators must bring in their barges, which carry kayaks and other gear, as they are water-dependent activities allowed by law. The seafloor will suffer more from anchors being dropped there on a daily basis, compared to having them permanently moored, he argued.

He said he wants to work with state and federal wildlife managers on allowing the businesses at least to keep mooring balls for barges out there. For now, the operators will moor their barges in a mooring field off Key West and bring them out to Pearl Basin every day.

"We want and need to have a clean environment to operate in. We don't want to destroy what we are selling," he said. "I know they are not trying to run us out of business, but come up with solutions."

DEP will send follow-up letters after the meetings with all operators, outlining what is expected of them and what penalties will be imposed if the rules are not followed. Welter said he was told operators will be given 20 days to comply.

tohara@keysnews.com