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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-06-2016 NRB Agenda1225 Main Street, Sebastian, FL 32958 NATURAL RESOURCES BOARD AGENDA REGULAR MEETING TUESDAY – SEPTEMBER 06, 2016 - 6:00 P.M. “To improve the quality of life in Sebastian by nurturing the balanced relationship between our citizens and our environment by protecting, preserving and promoting our natural resources” 1.CALL TO ORDER 2.PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 3.ROLL CALL 4.AGENDA MODIFICATIONS 5.APPROVAL OF MINUTES July 05, 2016 - Meeting Minutes August 02, 2016 Meeting Minutes 7.UNFINISHED BUSINESS Item A. Elections – Vice Chair Item B. Invasive Plant Brochure Item C. Champion Tree Update – Vote on price and paper type Item D. Working Waterfront Oyster Bag Update Item E. Earth Day – Sat April 22, 2017 Item F. Sewer 8.PUBLIC INPUT 9.NEW BUSINESS Item A. Spoil Island Memorandum by Mr. Clifton 10.STAFF MATTERS 11.MEMBER MATTERS 12.ITEMS FOR NEXT AGENDA 13.ADJOURNMENT ANY PERSON WHO DECIDES TO APPEAL ANY DECISION MADE ON THE ABOVE MATTERS, WILL NEED A RECORD OF THE PROCEEDINGS AND MAY NEED TO ENSURE THAT A VERBATIM RECORD OF THE PROCEEDINGS IS MADE, WHICH RECORD INCLUDES THE TESTIMONY AND EVIDENCE UPON WHICH APPEAL IS TO BE HEARD. SAID APPEAL MUST BE FILED WITH THE CITY CLERK'S OFFICE WITHIN TEN DAYS OF THE DATE OF ACTION. (286.0105 F.S). IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT (ADA), ANYONE WHO NEEDS SPECIAL ACCOMMODATIONS FOR THIS MEETING SHOULD CONTACT THE CITY'S ADA COORDINATOR AT (772)-589-5330 AT LEAST 48 HOURS PRIOR TO THIS MEETING. TWO OR MORE ELECTED OFFICIALS MAY BE IN ATTENDANCE. Natural Resources Board Meeting July 05, 2016 Page 1 1225 Main Street, Sebastian, FL 32958 NATURAL RESOURCES BOARD MEETING MINUTES REGULAR MEETING TUESDAY July 05, 2016 - 6:00 P.M. “To improve the quality of life in Sebastian by nurturing the balanced relationship between our citizens and our environment by protecting, preserving and promoting our natural resources” 1. Vice Chair Gordian called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. 2. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. 3. ROLL CALL Members Present: Gil Gordian – Vice-Chair Jim Clifton Rose Glaser Bob Progulske Andrea Ring Vicki Tunker Ann Lucier - Alternate Members Not Present: Keerthi Weragoda – Alternate City Staff Present: Frank Watanabe, City Engineer Michelle Stromberg, Recording Secretary 4. AGENDA MODIFICATIONS: 5. MEETING MINUTES – Approval/Discussion May 03, 2016 meeting minutes • Mr. Progulske – Made 1st Motion • Ms. Tunker – Made 2nd Motion • NRB approved with changes 6. UNFINISHED BUSINESS Item A. Elect New Chair: • Vice-Chair Gordian – We need to nominate a new chair, with the nomination first • Ms. Lucier nominated Vice-Chair Gordian • Chair Ring nominated herself. • Vice Chair Gordian nominated – Ms. Lucier and would like to remain Vice-Chair • Ms. Lucier declined. • Vice-Chair Gordian requested to stay as Vice-Chair. • This new chair will go until new election later this year. • Chair Ring is now the Chair for the NRB until annual October elections. • Congratulations Chair Ring. Natural Resources Board Meeting July 05, 2016 Page 2 Item B. Champion Tree Update: • Mr. Clifton – Have some funds remaining in the budget, considering using part of that for brochures. • Ms. Tunker – $286 remaining in budget. • Chair Ring – There is $2,500 in the budget per the City manager for the NRB to use without needing approval. We can get this printed without asking anybody. • MS. Glaser- How did we get the extra money? • Chair Ring – It was put into our account a couple of months ago. It was there for Earth Day. I’m very upset for not knowing that this has been in our account for months. • Mr. Watanabe – I will verify. All I knew $1,000 dollars was set aside that has been utilized by the NRB. $2500 was set aside for the Boy Scouts. • Chair Ring – I was told $2,500 dollars was put in our account, we could use it and don’t need to ask anybody to use it. • Mr. Watanabe – I will verify that is the full amount. Whatever charges that were used for Earth Day will be deducted. • Mr. Clifton – We made some brochures printed in house. Any idea if they been picked up by the public? • Mr. Watanabe – They are displayed, but not keeping a head count. • Mr. Clifton – Maybe have a 100 printed would be sufficient. • Chair Ring - Are we going to have to do that or can we really get you to do it this time? Because the last three months we have been promising this brochure would be printed. • Mr. Watanabe – As long as you get it to us we will take care of it. • Chair Ring – You have it. • Mr. Clifton – They were printed, but they were printed in house, because the cost. Initially I estimated a number that was way higher than demand actually requires. Reality, 100 would last several years. Look into cost and bring it back to the next meeting. • Chair Ring – On the paper the City uses? • Ms. Stromberg – Per the meeting minutes from May, if you look, under Mr. Clifton, it said, “suggested waited to the next meeting before we allocate funds for printing professional brochures”. We did not have a meeting in June so here we are now. • Chair Ring – Yes I know we did not have the meeting in June. • Ms. Stromberg – Right, so if you look in the meeting minutes, Mr. Clifton said, wait until the next meeting to allocate those funds, so this is what we are doing right now. • Chair Ring – Then let’s allocate them and make sure it gets done this time. • Ms. Stromberg – This is what we are doing and if you reflect on the meeting minutes you can see what’s been said and agreed upon. • Chair Ring – Thank you I appreciate it. • Mr. Progulske - Point of clarification, the City has the master and they just need to know how much to print? • Ms. Glaser – Basically do we just need to get an estimate, anyone of us can do that. • Mr. Watanabe - Make sure what paper you want then run the 100 copies. NRB can take the lead and have the brochures printed. • Mr. Clifton – The ones from Earth Day is exactly what we want. Will go to Total Print to get the details and cost and bring to the next meeting. • Mr. Progulske – How many brochures do we have on hand now? Natural Resources Board Meeting July 05, 2016 Page 3 • Mr. Clifton – There’s approaching 100. There will be a paragraph in the next paper on the Champion Tree program. • Ms. Tunker – Could approval be made to have them printed? • Ms. Glaser – I don’t think there is an urgency? Item C. Pilot Project Update: • Vice-Chair Gordian – No report currently. • Chair Ring – What was the pilot project? • Vice-Chair Gordian – To come up with a new idea on the water system. • Chair Ring – Per the last Council meeting, we use to put fish in the canal. Pilot project for this. Not sure what happened or a viable option but it used to keep the vegetation down. • Mr. Watanabe - Our canals are freshwater, so whatever can survive in freshwater system. There is a lot of fish small and big. Maybe at one time it needed to be placed in there to get it going. • Chair Ring – Are they algae and vegetation eaters? • Mr. Watanabe - There is a lot of wildlife, Mother Nature is doing good on its own. • Mr. Progulske – There is a Plecostomus fish, which is an algae eater, which unfortunately has been released. Have them 3’ feet long in our canal system and algae eaters. Most are not plant eaters. The one fish that a lot of places use when they have Hydrilla is a Triploid Grass Carp which cannot reproduce, that’s usually when you have a lot of vegetation; don’t think it would be good to put in here. • Mr. Watanabe – Vegetation on the banks. • Chair Ring – Anybody else have ideas for a pilot project, research? • Ms. Glaser – Discussed looking into the fertilizer, going to stores, trash after the fireworks, make people aware to pick up after themselves. • Chair Ring – I went to the Indian River Lagoon council, Scotts have agreed to work with the Council and to develop a fertilizer for this area, looking into slow release, and going to work with the lady from the college, something would be specific for this area. At least they got someone to respond. Do not know how it would get done. • Ms. Glaser – Saw the County spraying along US 1, during the rains. Called the office and they did not have any report of that being done. It wasn’t scheduled. • Mr. Watanabe – Had other reports but I believe they are exempt. • Mr. Clifton – Made 1st Motion to take it off future agendas until we have a future project. • Mr. Gordian – Made 2nd Motion • NRB approved with changes. • Chair Ring – We now have money. • Ms. Glaser – It doesn’t take money, it takes a plan and labor. • Chair Ring – Maybe a cleanup project? • Mr. Watanabe – The City has an ordinance for cleanup. Vacant lots, do due diligence to the lot owners, notify them give them a chance to respond. The ordinance says the side person bears the responsibilities to chop the trees • Ms. Glaser – Just side of the property or the front? • Mr. Watanabe – All varies if there is a vacant lot. Ordinance is being looked at, FPL came through with their cutters and now they are leaning to the sideways. We are aware of this and working on it. • Mr. Progulske – Are there any municipal ordinances that you are aware of? • Mr. Watanabe - We have a nuisance ordinance. • Mr. Progulske – I was wondering if any municipalities have a model ordinance. Natural Resources Board Meeting July 05, 2016 Page 4 Item D. Invasive Plant (Brochure): • Ms. Glaser in contact with Jane Schnee and she will forward us a copy and is working with different groups and originations through the State to do one for our area. She asked if she would work with her and pass it out. Ms. Glaser will follow up with her. She is working with Saint Johns River Water Management District (SJRWMD)and University of Florida. When it comes to funding she asked we handle it. Ms. Glaser will update and send email to Michelle. Ms. Glaser will be absent from the next couple of meetings. Item E. Working Waterfront Oyster Bag Update (Mr. Watanabe to update): • Mr. Watanabe – SJRWMD and Army Corps did a site visit. Their input was very positive. We have a Grant coming from the Indian River Lagoon Council. Went to Council, Council accepted the award of the money. We have some dialogue with ARC for creating the bags. Using the first pilot project as a starting point. ARC will be on the production point of it. This project has $24,000. A lot of this budget was designated to be used on in-kind services. Some of the money can be used toward the education process. Can be tied into all that NRB does. Right now we are working on getting the permit. Once we get the permit we will bring you all on board. Open items the commission could work on. • Mr. Progulske – How long of a term to spend the money • Mr. Watanabe – One (1) year • Chair Ring – Can do a video? • Mr. Watanabe - Once we decide what ARC needs, maybe let Comcast create a professional video, which is considered educational. Critical path, Michelle gets the map done, meet with ARC, then bring it back to the NRB. • Chair Ring - Has the boy scouts been counting the Oysters. • Mr. W atanabe – We created an as-built per SJRWMD permit which we submitted the today, it was accepted, and now project can be closed out. 7. PUBLIC INPUT: None 8. NEW BUSINESS: • Ms. Lucier – The cleanup can we do together, • Vice-Chair Gordian – As a individual not as a board • Vice-Chair Gordian – Adopt an island, could we get the City’s help • Ms. Tunker – Has a team with the Coastal clean-up. • Ms. Glaser – Have a boat can go along the coast line. • Mr. Progulske – If people are interested whom do they contact. • Ms. Glaser – Treasure Coast Waterway Cleanup • Ms. Tunker – 9th Annual • Ms. Glaser – Is there an island available. • Ms. Tunker - No • Chair Ring - If you can find an Island, I think we be available. Item A. Presentation on City’s Water Monitoring and Testing: • Mr. Watanabe – Gave a presentation on City’s water testing and monitoring. Jim Clifton initially helped train us on lab testing procedure. The City created an in house lab. Flowers Lab samples and tests the water for the President Street. We have a base line everything on the riverfront have its own drainage systems with 11 boxes. North of 512 discharges out of three (3) areas, everything of 512 goes out to 2 sources, Elk Cam and Stone Crop. A baffle box is a system with Natural Resources Board Meeting July 05, 2016 Page 5 filters and ways to pick up and reduce Nitrogen and Phosphates uses a large filter. On an annual basis we have to take out the filters. • Chair Ring – What is the suggestion from Florida State? • Mr. Watanabe – Need to continue testing for more than one year, several years. • Ms. Glaser – Cost of a baffle Box? • Mr. Watanabe – About $65K • Mr. Clifton – Are the samples taken under flow? • Chair Ring – The City is supposed to be getting more baffle boxes, is that correct? • Mr. Watanabe – When you get grant money – finish current project, then go after another grant. Everything we have impacting the lagoon is East of the tracks • Chair Ring - New project maybe in regard to the Sewers, we can still do this. The Indian River Lagoon Council says we need to do them differently. The lady has all kinds of idea. She is from Florida University. They have kilroys up and down the lagoon. Sewer is good but to have sewage in one area there is too much phosphorous. She feels is we do not do anything we are going to have massive fish kills for 8 years. The fish die because of lack of oxygen. • Mr. Progulske – There is parts in the City that has Sewer. • Mr. W atanabe – The County came to the City, the City co shared the design but the County wants the City. A small portion. We have a force main line which it means it’s under pressure and not gravity sewer. The City will pay a portion if a resident will connect. We received a grant up to 100k for Septic to sewer. • Mr. Progulske – The force main is more expensive? • Mr. W atanabe – Cost a lot to hook up to it. • Ms. Lucier – There is no rules or regulations here. • Mr. Watanabe – When we had the Utility. • Mr. Progulske – Concept of gravity fed system. • Mr. W atanabe – Eventually going to have to get to the lift station, pumps it up and back down. • Ms. Lucier – Do you think the City will ever adopt an ordinance? • Mr. W atanabe – Up to County Health Department. • Chair Ring - Interested in doing some research, Have a septic update. • Mr. W atanabe- Will provide the information – Vincent Burke 9. STAFF MATTERS: Gopher Tortoise Workshop Per Michelle Stromberg – Gopher Tortoise workshop is going to be held on Thursday August 18, from 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. by FWC – lead by Alex Kalfin. Opportunity offered to NRB to attend. If any NRB member is interested, Michelle will give Alex Kalfin member information for registration. City invited surrounding agencies. NRB - What would the Gopher Tortoise certification enable you to do? City – This is an education workshop, no certifications will be acquired. 10. MEMBER MATTERS: Chair Ring – Requested to remove Mr. Weragoda from the roll. Discussion on parameters on of unexcused absences and excuse absences. Chair Ring made 1st motion to make Mr. Weragoda’s absences unexcused. Mr. Weragoda has 2 more months. Mr. Progulske 2nd the motion, with the acknowledgement he has until October. Natural Resources Board Meeting July 05, 2016 Page 6 Ms. Glaser – Per the festival this weekend, question in regards to all the trucks and trailers in the park. Wanted to know if the City had decided to keep them out? Mr. Mr. Watanabe - Will check on this. Ms. Glaser - All the food vendors were parked in the park approximately 17. Per the Council meeting – At City events parking in the park will be allowed. Chair Ring – Concern from last board meeting in June, arrived last meeting 15 minutes early and was told the meeting was cancelled due to lack of quorum. When I questioned if the quorum could be determined ahead of meeting time, I was told that the members had emailed and said you would not be coming, even if you send emails, I still felt the meeting should be held to determine if the quorum could be met. The building was locked and I was not let in the building. I was told City Council was very upset we did not meet. Two Question – One can you determine and call it a lack of quorum when there was no meeting to begin with and two if you receive email saying the meeting was cancelled, we need to stop this from happening again. Ms. Tunker – I was prepared to come Ms. Glaser – I was prepared to come Absentee members emailed to let the City know they would not be present. Chair Ring – That is a violation of the Sunshine law. Ms. Glaser – Emailing Michelle? Chair Ring – Yes, you are not supposed to email at all. Mr. Watanabe – To clarify you can always email staff. Chair Ring – We could of still has a quorum if there was going to be five (5). Ms. Stromberg – No there was only going to be three (3) Mr. Progulske – I emailed in the afternoon I was not going to be there due to work. Always used this process (email). Ms. Tunker – How do you get an excused absence if we can’t email. NRB Board – We can email Michelle, she is City staff. Chair Ring - The emailing should not be done, not supposed to email. Ms. Glaser – Member to member we are not supposed to email. We are allowed to email staff and that is what we should be doing. Chair Ring – We should of held the meeting anyway. Ms. Stromberg – There were not enough members to have a quorum at the last meeting. Chair Ring – City Council is very upset we did not have the meeting. Ms. Glaser – There is nothing you can if people are sick and they can’t make it there. Ms. Tunker – Especially if the meeting is cancelled. Chair Ring – I don’t get emails. We need to stop this from happening again. I think maybe we should ask staff not to cancel meetings. You can’t cancel meetings until the 6:00 meeting time. What do you do with the Public? Ms. Glaser – They already knew people weren’t coming. Chair Ring - You should still hold the meeting, I should have been allowed in and the Public should have been told. You can’t cancel the meeting ahead of time. Council was very upset. Ms. Glaser – The staff already knew we weren’t going to have a quorum so we couldn’t have a meeting. Chair Ring - That is not really right, you can’t really determine a quorum ahead of time. Until the meeting time. Ms. Glaser - I will have to look at Roberts Rules. Chair Ring – I will to. Mr. Progulske – I assume there is a consistent rule. Natural Resources Board Meeting July 05, 2016 Page 7 Mr. Watanabe - I stayed here to inform the public and we knew in advance we were not going to have a quorum. I didn’t want to spend anymore of staff time, tax payers time to say we are not going to have a meeting. I stayed here to make sure to let the public know, one person showed up, Andrea showed up. You could of walked in. I let everyone go because I thought it was a waste of tax payers money to have all these government people here that shouldn’t be here plus it was a storm day. As a director I made that decision. In the future, I will make sure we have the doors open to make sure if any commissioners or public arrives and then to make a determination of meeting or no meeting based on quorum. Ms. Lucier – Is there any other way to let her know? Mr. Watanabe – This has happened before with the P&Z Chair Ring – I feel better now. 11. ITEMS FOR NEXT AGENDA Item A. Invasive Plant (Brochure) Item B. Sewer Item C. Champion Tree Update – Vote on prices 12. ADJOURNMENT: Being no further business Per Chair Ring adjourned the Natural Resources Board meeting at 7:36 p.m. By: ____________________________ ______________ Chairwoman Date Natural Resources Board Meeting August 02, 2016 Page 1 1225 Main Street, Sebastian, FL 32958 NATURAL RESOURCES BOARD MEETING MINUTES REGULAR MEETING TUESDAY August 02, 2016 - 6:00 P.M. “To improve the quality of life in Sebastian by nurturing the balanced relationship between our citizens and our environment by protecting, preserving and promoting our natural resources” 1. Chair Ring called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. 2. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. 3. ROLL CALL Members Present Andrea Ring - Chair Bob Progulske Ann Lucier – Alternate Dick Krull - Alternate Members Not Present Gil Gordian – Vice-Chair Jim Clifton Rose Glaser Vicki Tunker Keerthi Weragoda – Alternate Chair Ring request to note Mr. Weragoda’s absence. Mr. Weragoda’s absences were approved by the previous chair. City Staff Present Frank Watanabe, City Engineer Michelle Stromberg, Recording Secretary 4. AGENDA MODIFICATIONS 5. APPROVAL OF MEETING MINUTES Tabled - Postponed approval of minutes until September 06, 2016 of July 05, 2016 meeting minutes: • Ms. Ring – Made 1st Motion • Ms. Lucier – Made 2nd Motion • NRB approved with changes 6. UNFINISHED BUSINESS Item A. Elections: Tabled - Postponed until September 06, 2016 meeting. Item B. Invasive Plant Brochure – Ms. Jane Schnee: Ms. Schnee discussed on the Invasive Plant Brochure. Pointed out the grammatical error and moved for the Board to approve the brochure. Discussion on available budget Natural Resources Board Meeting August 02, 2016 Page 2 and type of paper to use. Per the remaining budget it may be possible to print the brochures. This will be discussed at the next meeting. Recommendations of Distribution of the brochure were provided. Item C. Champion Tree Update: Tabled - Postponed approval until September 06, 2016 NRB meeting for Jim to be present. There are brochures available if needed at this time and the City would make more if requested. Item D. Sewer – Presentation by Mr. Vincent Burke: Presentation and power point provided by Mr. Burke, Director of Indian River County Utilities. Spoke of the fertilizer ordinance all tied to the health of the lagoon. GIS map presented is available on www.ircutilities.com . In the City of Sebastian there 14,000 parcels, 11,000 parcels are developed about 80% is on septic, over 30,00o septic tanks. Some are on Septic and well water and a high number is on County water. 1100 residents in Sebastian are not on County water. Mr. Burke spoke of the County update. Showed via presentation map where additional wells will be installed. Dr. Min Yee will run the calibration. DEP has not yet calibrated. Masteller Moller Reed designed the system. There are DEP and FOP permits and will work with Mr. Watanabe to obtain R.O.W (Right-of-Way) permits. When the infrastructure is in place they will be required to connect. City of Sebastian has an incentive program to help defray some of the cost to connect. Gravity Sewers last approximately 50 to 70 years. When data is collected, it will be shared. Questions/statements were asked by the board: 1. System similar to a high bred system? 2. Average cost for property owner, hook-up cost? 3. For an average resident hooking up to sewer what would the additional cost be? 4. Can you separate out the water bill from the sewer bill? 5. For funding thought about going to the governor? 6. What is the pay-off time? 7. Do we use a fluent for City water or golf course? 8. Any success to encourage the retailers to stop selling the fertilizers? 9. Any of the Counties have an ordinance for someone who owns a home? 10. Clarification on cost per public comment 11. Capacity issue? 12. Per the map shown, would be torn up? Questions were asked by the public: 1. Why aren’t phosphates banned from detergents? 2. If you have a well, can you hook up to the sewer and keep your well? Item E. Working Waterfront Oyster Bag Update: Mr. Watanabe noted the map in the agenda packet that shows location of project and the approximate number of Oyster bags. There is a possibility of a shoreline restoration project that would push back the project. 7. PUBLIC INPUT 8. NEW BUSINESS Item A. Spoil Island memorandum by Mr. Clifton: Natural Resources Board Meeting August 02, 2016 Page 3 Tabled - Postponed until September 06, 2016 meeting. NRB asked to put the EPA link on the website. 9. STAFF MATTERS Item A. Gopher Tortoise Workshop - Confirm attendance Highlighted this workshop is more for staff and technical level. 10. MEMBER MATTERS Item A. Earth Day Date will be April 22, 2016. 11. ITEMS FOR NEXT AGENDA Item A. Elections Item B. Invasive Plant Brochure Item C. Champion Tree Update – Vote on Item D. Proposed Spoil Island project proposed by Mr. Clifton Item E. Sewer 12. ADJOURNMENT Being no further business, Chair Ring adjourned the Natural Resources Board meeting at 7:53 p.m. By: ____________________________ ______________ Chairwoman Ring Date From:Ann Lucier To:Michelle Stromberg; Frank Watanabe Cc:Rose Glaser; Susan Gordian; Vicki Tunker; jameshowardclifton@gmail.com Subject:Fwd: Invasive brochure latest draft Date:Sunday, July 31, 2016 7:51:23 AM Attachments:DRAFT_invasive_plant_brochure.pdf ATT00001.htm Sent from my iPhone Begin forwarded message: From: SUNWRENT@aol.com Date: July 30, 2016 at 11:33:53 AM EDT To: lucierann@gmail.com Subject: Invasive brochure latest draft Hi Ann, attached is the latest draft of the Invasive Plants brochure. By accident the picture of the Old World Climbing Fern is not correct and will be changed. And a picture of Mexican Petunia will be taken and inserted. And "Friends of St. Sebastian River"'s website will be changed to: www.fssr.org Do you want to have NRB's laison send this to NRB's members so they can review it before Tuesday's meeting to see if anyone has any other suggested changes? Note that we want to include City of Sebastian Natural Resources Board on the brochure! We welcome all the help we can get with this problem and are appreciative of your interest and help in getting rid of invasive plants in our area Thanks and let me know if you have any questions. Jane Schnee Invasive plants: • Clog our waterways • Threaten agriculture • Disrupt the ecology of lands purchased for preservation by Florida taxpayers • Crowd out native plants, as well as beneficial insects, birds, and other animals that depend upon them • Imperil endangered and threatened plants Why care? Invasive plants are costly! 4,000+ plants live in Florida 1,300+ of these plants are non-native 225+ are invasive pest plants What Can You Do ? • Learn to identify invasive plants & share your knowledge • Remove invasive plants from your landscape & replace them with native plants • Dispose of reproductive parts of invasive plants (berries, spores, bulbils, roots) in the trash • Never dump yard waste or your aquarium in natural areas or water bodies • To avoid transferring exotics from one area to another, clean mowers, tires, and boat trailers • Volunteer to help remove non-native plants from our natural areas • Support funding to combat invasive plants Published on 071316. Brought to you by: Most plants introduced from other places do not cause problems. Some nonnative plants are important agricultural products such as citrus, mangoes, and avocados. Plants that escape from cultivation to clog our waterways, disrupt agriculture, or to invade our parks and preserves are called invasive plants. $100 million: Florida taxpayers spend to control invasive plants in waterways & natural areas Florida agriculture spends on fields & pastures per year Estimated agricultural production losses due to invasive plants Loss of biodiversity & habitat for wildlife Why Florida? Unfortunately, invasive plants flourish in Florida, where they are free from the natural limitations, diseases, and predators that control them in their native ranges. Most invasive plants were deliberately brought to Florida for landscaping, crops, or forage. More than 85% of the imported plants and flowers enter the U.S. via the Port of Miami. To learn more, visit: Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council www.fleppc.org Florida Invasive Species Partnership www.floridainvasives.org UF/IFAS Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants http://plants.ifas.ufl.edu Friends of St. Sebastian River ( www.fssr.org) Eugenia Chapter of the Florida Native Plant Society (http://fnps.org) Pelican Island Audubon Society (http://www. pelicanislandaudubon.org) City of Sebastian Natural Resources Board (www. sebastiannrb.com) $558 million: Priceless: $30 million: The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services prohibits certain plants. Prohibited plants have damaged Florida’s waterways, agriculture, and natural areas. New plants are added to the prohibited plant list periodically. For more information, visitwww.FreshFromFlorida.comHere are nine of them...Some invasive plants brought to Florida for landscaping have escaped cultivation and are still sold. Don’t purchase these cheap, aggressive, fast-growing invaders. Invest in beautiful native or non-invasive exotic plants that create a healthy habitat for our native wildlife and pollinators and attractive, low maintenance yards for humans. TOWNSHIP 31 SOUTH LOW PROFILE OYSTER BAG RESTORATION AREA PROJECT LOCATION CITY OF SEBASTIAN FILENAME: DRAWING INFORMATION DATE:CHKD: DATE:QA/QC: DATE: DATE:DSGN: DRWN: SCALE: SURVEYED BY: 48 HOURS BEFORE DIGGINGDO NO T S CA L E T HE SE DRA WI NGS . IF A NY DISC RE PA NC I ES O CCU R W ITH IN TH ES E D OC U M E NT S , T H E C O N T R A C T O R S HA L L C O N T A C T T HE CI T Y O F S E B A S TI A N F O R CLARIFICATIONS PRIOR TO CONSTRUCTION. THE CITY OF SEBASTIAN HEREINAFTER REFERRED TO AS THE ENGINEER HAS PREPARED AND FURNISHED THIS DRAWING TO THE OWNER FOR USE ON THIS PROJECT ONLY. THIS DRAWING SHOULD NOT BE USED ON EXTENSIONS OF THIS PROJECT OR ON ANY OTHER PROJECT. ANY REUSE OF THIS DRAWING, WITHOUT WRITTEN VERIFICATION OR ADAPTION BY THE ENGINEER, SHALL B E A T T HE R E U S ER 'S S O L E R I SK A N D T H E RE U S E R S H A L L IN D E M N I F Y A N D H O L D HARMLESS THE ENGIN EER FR OM ALL CLAIMS , DAMAGE S, L OSSE S A ND E XPE NSE S, I N C L U D I N G A T T O R N E Y 'S F E E S A R I S I N G O U T O F O R R E S U L T I N G T H E R E F R O M . NOTICE TO DRAWING HOLDER NO.DATE REVISIONS BY DESCRIPTION Oyster Bag Restoration Area WORKING NUMBER: SHEET NUMBER: FRANK T. WATANABE, P.E. COS - A16XX FL. REG. NO. 66735 03 49 OYSTER BAGS X'S 2 = 98 36 OYSTER BAGS X'S 2 =72 ( IN FEET ) 0 1 inch = 10 ft. 5 10 1" = 10' Memorandum July 28, 2016 From: Jim Clifton To: Natural Resources Board Re: Member Matters - Possible NRB Project Again I regret not being able to attend the August meeting. The agenda has several topics that are of great interest. However, I do have a member matter that I would like the group to consider. Spoil Island IR8 is designated as a conservation island and, as such, is not available for adoption. Should birds be nesting on the island, a 100 yard approach clearance is required. The spoil island is ~300 yards from the City of Sebastian pier observation/fishing deck. I have been visiting Sebastian since 1985 and have noted the gradual decline of IR8. Limited recovery does appear to be taking place after the hurricane damage about 12 years ago. I would like to determine if the City of Sebastian NRB can obtain authorization for an on-going project to stabilize and enhance the island. Unfortunately, I have yet to achieve contact with the FDEP personnel that can provide comment and/or guidance relative to such a project. The Google Earth photo, following, does not reflect current conditions, based on observations from the City’s pier boardwalk. I was hoping to paddle out for a closer look, but time was not found. Additional woody growth is present. Although all of it is not desirable as at least one Australian pine is obvious by its dominance. There is a good start of mangrove, but additional plantings will facilitate stabilization and development of nesting habitat. Further, there is some sort of emergent vegetation on the sand bar extending to the south in the Google photo. Prior to any project proposal a site survey would be required to document depths, bottom conditions, vegetation, and any sea grass present. Without the benefit of discussion with the FDEP spoil island staff regarding feasibility, the following are some ideas for potential projects. 1. Place oyster bags on the east side of IR8 to stabilize the shoreline. 2. Plant additional mangroves to stabilize the island and provide better habitat for nesting birds. 3. Remove invasive plants. 4. Plant sea grass in areas that are appropriate for its growth and benefit. With approval of the City of Sebastian NRB I offer to continue my effort to obtain clarification/guidance on acceptable projects that may be available to enhance and stabilize IR8. I suspect that a firm idea of the viability of any acceptable project(s) will be available for the September meeting of the NRB.