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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-01-2022 NRB MinutesNATURAL RESOURCES BOARD MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING FEBRUARY 1, 2022 Chairman Stadelman called the Natural Resources Board meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. II. Pledae of Alleaiance was recited by all. Ill. Roll Call Present: Ms. Ware Dr. Carrier Ms. Callaghan Mr. Carrano Mr. Stadelman Dr. Mosblech — Zoom Mr. Bradley — Zoom Not Present Excused Ms. Lovell Ms. Valenzuela Also Present: Ms. Kim Haigler, Environmental Planner Ms. Barbara Brooke -Reese, MIS Manager Ms. Janet Graham, Technical Writer III. Announcements Ms. Haigler announced that the Pelican Island Wildlife Festival, which the NRB had participated in in the past, will be holding a festival on March 12 and 13, but it will not be at Riverview Park. It will be at their refuge, a much smaller event focusing on activities and outreach rather than vendors. The hours are from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the wildlife refuge. She has informed them that the NRB would be interested in helping them if they need anything, and they will get back to her. Also, Indian River County is hosting a series of workshops on the future of growth and land use in the County. It is an interesting series of workshops. The next one is this Thursday, February 411, 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon at the Intergenerational Center on Oslo Road. It is regarding discussing options for responsible growth, etc. Page 11 of 20 NATURAL RESOURCES BOARD MINUTES OF FEBRUARY 1, 2022 V. Public Input PAGE 2 Dr. Graham Cox, Sebastian — He reviewed two articles appearing in "TC Palm" regarding the Indian River Lagoon, and he offered to give them to Ms. Haigler after his presentation for dissemination among the Board Members. He read excerpts from each article regarding the death rates of manatees, which appears to be due to starvation. This is due to the seagrass disappearing, on which the manatees feed. The articles dealt with the lagoon as a whole and what is thriving and what is not and what humankind can do to help the situation (SEE ATTACHED). VI. Aaenda Modifications A. Guest speaker Kearns Linderman, Pelican Island Elementary EcoTroop, is cancelled and will be rescheduled for next month's meeting. B. Guest speakers this evening will be Irene Arpayoglou and Kaitlyn Britton, FDEP's Indian River Lagoon Aquatic Preserves Program VII. New Business Ms. Arpayoglou spoke on the "Leave No Trace" initiative that the Indian River Lagoon Aquatic Preserves office started up a few years ago. She made a PowerPoint Presentation (SEE ATTACHED) reviewing the program. Her office is part of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Office of Resilience and Coastal Protection. Her office manages 7 of the state's 42 aquatic preserves. Her office is in Fort Pierce and manages 7 aquatic preserves starting from the Mosquito Lagoon in Volusia County, the Banana River, and the 3 that comprise the Indian River, the Northport St. Lucie River, and Loxahatchee Lake Worth Creek. They also manage spoil islands in the Indian River Lagoon for recreation and for conservation. Her presentation covered the various programs that her group is involved in. She stated that her office is happy to partner with the NRB and provide education and outreach of the "Leave No Trace" program. She stated that she and Ms. Britton brought materials that they will leave for the Board to be given out to the public for beach cleanups and waterway cleanups and such. She invited questions from the Board. Mr. Stadelman -- Asked regarding the Indian River area, does she know how many visitors come to this area. Ms. Arpayoglou stated she does not have those numbers. Page 12 of 20 NATURAL RESOURCES BOARD MINUTES OF FEBRUARY 1, 2022 PAGE 3 • He also asked, if everyone would do just one thing, what would that one thing be. Ms. Arpayoglou said it would be to have everyone understand more about how everyday behaviors are connected to the Lagoon. Everything that people do, whether in the water or in the uplands, has an impact, including use of fertilizer on lawns, the vegetation that is planted, or boating activities on the waterways, etc. She emphasized that humans are part of the ecosystem, and we have to understand that. • Asked if there are incentives for behavior modifications such as discounts for licensing fees if people take a course, etc. Ms. Arpayoglou stated there are businesses like kayak outfitters that, if people rent from them and bring back a certain amount of trash, they get a discount on their rental fees. She mentioned other programs that could be instituted that would provide incentives. Ms. Callaghan -- Mentioned that the NRB has been involved in some of the Indian River cleanup efforts. The spoil islands in particular have impressed the Board in terms of the sheer volume/weight of what was brought back on the collection event days. She said that that is one of the goals of the Sustainable Sebastian project. She wondered if there could be some signage, etc. installed at the two largest launching areas that would help educate and remind the public on the "Leave No Trace" program. Ms. Arpayoglou stated that at some beach accesses buckets have been placed that the public can get, and then when they are walking the beach, they pick up trash and bring it back in their bucket. That is something that could be potentially used at a boat ramp. However, there would need to be something like a dumpster available to dispose of the trash. Ms. Haigler discussed having a dumpster available at those sites on occasion. Ms. Callaghan also asked, when boaters register, is any of this material made available to them. Ms. Arpayoglou said that would be a question of getting the material to the DMV where the registration is done. She also stated they left "Leave No Trace" materials at West Marine stores where there were workshops held. DEP also has a clean boater program. Asked if there are any spoil islands that still need to be adopted in Indian River County. Ms. Arpayoglou stated that IR-3 may be available. That is the one right across from Squid Lips. Mr. Stadelman suggested that the NRB might like to adopt an island. Discussion was held regarding the logistics of getting out to the island, and it was the consensus that the NRB should adopt an island. Ms. Ware — Page 13 of 20 NATURAL RESOURCES BOARD MINUTES OF FEBRUARY 1, 2022 PAGE 4 Stated that there is a Power Squadron here in Sebastian. They are meeting in February for training purposes, and she would be happy to take some flyers there. Ms. Arpayoglou stated that her office has done outreach with the Power Squadrons in Martin County as well. She added that there is also an island adoption program for the recreational islands. Of the 38 recreational islands that are in this region, there are approximately 29 of them that have already been adopted. Having the island adoption program helps her group a lot because people take ownership of the island and care for it, and they let her know when something needs addressed. Dr. Carrier -- Stated the State of Florida has an online boating class that is required for young people in order to operate boats, working with the State, regarding educational programs that have a component in there that talks about this. That may be a useful way to start these kids out young, and it might be something we might interface with. Coastguard Auxiliary who teaches safe boating classes also has an environmental component that we might collaborate with the auxiliary to see if they could expand that same kind of thing. Ms. Arpayoglou stated that is a good suggestion, as boating regulations also have litter laws. Ms. Haigler asked what the NRB can do to assist with outreach. Ms. Arpayoglou suggested getting the word out to boaters. She has plenty of material that she can give the Board to hand out to the boaters. Ms. Haigler asked if Ms. Arpayoglou is available to participate in the NRB's Earth Day event. Ms. Arpayoglou stated her group will not be available. She added that she might be able to get the Friends of the Spoil Islands group to participate. Ms. Arpayoglou described the "BARK Ranger' program. She said it is an educational program for dog owners to enjoy the outdoors with their dogs. Ms. Haigler thinks this is a great program, and it is definitely useful here in this area. There are several conservation areas within the City where people go with their pets, and this is really relevant in the City. Ms. Arpayoglou said that Ms. Britton will be taking the lead on the BARK Ranger program, and she will be able to do some education and outreach and some training classes here. Vill. Old Business A. Earth Day Event Planning Page 14 of 20 NATURAL RESOURCES BOARD PAGE 5 MINUTES OF FEBRUARY 1, 2022 Ms. Haigler referred to an outline of the activities, etc. for the event that addresses the events and whattwho is needed to help. (SEE ATTACHED) After discussion, it was the consensus that the traditional -style scavenger hunt format will be used this year, and the hunt will be held inside the park or immediately adjacent to it. Ms. Ware suggested getting a kids group to help with the gopher tortoise event. Discussion was held on the living docks, and it was decided that that event should be held again this year. Ms. Ware volunteered to get the information out on the online calendars, and Mr. Stadelman will handle getting the printed calendars updated. There was additional general discussion among everyone regarding other matters relating to Earth Day. IX. Member Matters Ms. Ware discussed the Sebastian Art Studio Tour, which is February 121h. The event is from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and it gives the public an opportunity to meet the artists. Ms. Callaghan stated that she attended the MRC seminar, which is "What You Plant Matters." She said that on March 1 O' the Lagoon health report card will be available. It will be posted on their website, and they will have a Zoom presentation as well. Mr. Stadelman thanked everyone for their participation X. Staff Matters -- None XI. Items for Next Aaenda Ms. Haigler stated there will be more planning for Earth Day as well as discussing adopting a spoil island and an update on the oyster mat wraps. Also, Keema Linderman from the Pelican Island Elementary EcoTroop will be a guest speaker at that meeting. XII. Journment There being no f her business, Mr. Stadelman called for a motion to adjourn. A motion to adjourn was y Ms. Ware, seconded by Mr. Carrano, and passed unanimously via voice v ee' was adjourned at 7:05 p.m. R I By: — Date: 0/ oa jg Page 15 of 20