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HomeMy WebLinkAbout06052012NRB2 3 4. 5 C:� �� ����� HOME OF PELICAN ISLAND 1225 Main Street, Sebastian, FL 32958 (772)589-5330 Phone NATURALRESOURCES BOARD REGULAR MEETING TUESDAY, JUNE 5, 2012 - 6:00 P.M. MINUTES "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" Chairperson Graves called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. ROLL CALL: Present: Robin Graves - Chair Eric Spokas - Vice Chair Ann Lucier Jane Schnee (A) Members Absent and Excused: Hank Kriss Staff Present: Ginny Sieferd, Board Liaison Donna Cyr, Recording Secretary Albert Alvarez Alan Northcott Gilbert Gordian Jr. Pat Casselberry (A) APPROVAL OF MINUTES: May 1, 2012 regular meeting MOTION by Ms. Graves and SECOND by Mr. Alvarez to approve the May 1, 2012 minutes as written, was passed. ANNOUNCEMENTS: No announcements. PRESENTATION: Chairperson Graves introduced and welcomed Mr. Marc Virgilio, the Spoil Island Coordinator for the Indian River Lagoon Aquatic Preserves which is a division of Department of Environmental Protection. Mr. Virgilio gave a powerpoint presentation (see attached). Mr. Virgilio explained that the purpose of the IR Lagoon Aquatic Preserve was to protect and enhance the ecological integrity of the islands and encourage sustainable use and foster active stewardship by engaging local communities in the protection of aquatic preserves. His department relies heavily on the adoption of spoil islands, the Eagle Scout program and volunteers. The volunteer events consist of native re-plantings (planting Mangroves and other natives that benefit the island and animal life), exotic removals (eradicating Brazilian peppers, etc.), Island cleanups and constructing education kiosks, picnic tables, and fire rings. Mr. Virgilio said there are three types of spoil islands. They are conservation islands, recreation islands, and Natural Resources Board June 5, 2012 Page Two education islands. He let everyone know that the Indian River Lagoon Aquatic Preserve has a Facebook page, a website and they also have maps on Google maps. 1. IRL Spoil Island website: www.spoilislandproiect.org 2. Google Maps: Spoil Island Project Map 3. Facebook: Spoil Island Project Mr. Virgilio mentioned that he spoke with Ms. Sieferd regarding doing an event with the City of Sebastian on Spoil Island IR1 sometime this fall. Ms. Casselberry asked how many islands were still up for adoption and Mr. Virgilio said that there were probably about three in both Brevard and Indian River County. The board thanked Mr. Virgilio for giving his presentation. Chairperson Graves let the board know that there was a new member and asked Ms. Pat Casselberry to introduce herself. Ms. Casselberry said she and her husband were big environmentalists and she felt this would be a good way to volunteer in the City of Sebastian. 7. PUBLIC INPUT: No public input. 8. OLD BUSINESS: A. Fertilizer Education Program — Ms. Graves reminded the board that we are having a special meeting on Wednesday, June 13th to go over in detail the fertilizer education program. Ms. Schnee brought up a variety of questions that couldn't be answered by the board and she was asked to bring these up at the special meeting where they can be addressed to Council Member Coy. Ms. Schnee let the board know that the Extension Office in Vero was a good source for informative books and catalogs. Ms. Graves said she has contacted different organizations, such as Harbor Branch, to get videos to show on COS channel 25. She feels there is a lot of good information out there and why reinvent the wheel. Ms. Graves also talked about the board being about more than just the fertilizer ordinance, that as an advisory board we need to focus on educating the public on proper tree care, natural Florida yards, and other things. Ms. Graves went to a Pruning Restoration Workshop by Dr. Gilmore from the University of Florida. Ms. Graves said we have the video they used at the workshop and would like to show it on channel 25 and on our website. We have their permission of replay it. Ms. Casselberry mentioned that she lives in a development and she would like to see more information given to new home owners about how they can have a natural Florida yard. She would like to see more awareness to Home Owner Associations to encourage a natural Florida yard as well. Ms. Graves concurred to having a speaker come in and talk about the benefits of having this type of yard. Ms. Graves said she would like to see more education on Florida drain fields and options for your front yards. Mr. Spokas thought it would be good to have someone from the University of Florida be a speaker and their talk could be on creating a Florida friendly yard. He also thought it would be good for Home Owners Associations to pass out the pamphlet by UF called "Create a Florida-Friendly Yard". Natural Resources Board June 5, 2012 Page Three Ms. Schnee asked how we are going to get the word out. She mentioned she doesn't have cable TV so she doesn't get channel 25. She suggested someone could write articles for the local newspapers. Ms. Schnee also liked the idea of having members of this board go to different organizations to educate the public. She liked the idea of mailing out pamphlets and see if we can get grant money. Ms. Graves suggested a Facebook page for the Natural Resources Board. She feels it would be a great way to get the word out. Ms. Graves said she would create it and keep it up to date. Ms. Lucier really liked the idea for the Facebook page, that it would be a great way to get young people involved. Ms. Casselberry mentioned it would be a great way to link to other information. All the members liked the idea. Mr. Spokas talked about the presentation that Dr. Lapointe, from Harbor Branch, gave and said it was very informative. Ms. Graves said she emailed Harbor Branch regarding educational material and she's waiting to hear back from them. 9. NEW BUSINESS: A. Proper Tree Care of City Trees: Ms. Graves asked about the maintenance of the trees that were going to be planted on Saturday by the board. It was suggested that a watering schedule be set up to keep the trees alive until the rainy season starts. Ms. Sieferd said they would need to be watered at least twice a week but every other day would be better for the first couple months. Ms. Sieferd will do the trees at the Stormwater Park. 10. MEMBER MATTERS: Mr. Gordian asked if the board was getting involved with the June 23rd educational waterway clean up. It was decided that the members could participate as individuals but not as a board event. The board will be involved with the Indian River Coastal Waterway Cleanup on July 21 with April Price's group. Mr. Spokas mentioned that KIRB is having a rain barrel demonstration & sale at Indian River Mall on Saturday, June 9th at 2:OOpm the cost is $40.00 11. STAFF MATTERS: Ms. Cyr asked if the board would like to set the date for the 2013 Earth Day celebration and reserve Riverview Park. The date was set for Saturday, April 20th, 2013. Ms. Cyr will email Chris McCarthy and reserve the date and see if the stage will be available. 12. Being no further business, Chairperson Graves adjourned the meeting at 7:03 p.m. � , � �`' �`�i I.C.�-t_�,�1 � 7 Natura1�Resources Chairperson Signature Date qk'", c Florida Depnrtmert of Environmental Protection 4: 4Y:cJ IRL Spoil Islands • ICW dredged In Nemid 1910'3.4 IWs; 137 spoil Islands • BmvaM(411, Indian River(Sq, 9, Lucie (31), Marton 0 -- --- • 124 svoo-owned and managed wino oversight from FIN0 • 1990I11spo0ldand Management Plan: — -Recreation --- - -conservation ,Education �l i •a4 t 3 _ Wal mom How do you know which islands are designated Recreation? 1. KiosksandFINDbrochures 2 Contacthe IRUPField Oaice:IRWiModdadnp,netor(321)953- sam 3. IRL Spoil Island Website: wwwa,,,9iplapdprpjed.o g 4. Google Maps: Spoil Island Project Map Frequently Asked Questions for Spoil Island Camping • Camping is limited to recreation/education islands • Campsites are first come/ first serve • Pack in/packoutpoticy - during am • Refrain from cutting shoreline vegetation, especially mangroves. W1, . �av::- mII'� . What is an Aquatic Preserve? " Exceptional areas of sovereign submerged lands'., •,x, • Long-term goals: Protect and arloanco Ih - ecological integrity of - the aquatic preserves" Encourage sustainable _ use and foster active f stewardship engaginglaal w comroumties)n the . protection of aquatic ) - ® proerves. wrap. !] IRL Spoil Islands • ICW dredged In Nemid 1910'3.4 IWs; 137 spoil Islands • BmvaM(411, Indian River(Sq, 9, Lucie (31), Marton 0 -- --- • 124 svoo-owned and managed wino oversight from FIN0 • 1990I11spo0ldand Management Plan: — -Recreation --- - -conservation ,Education �l i •a4 t 3 _ Wal mom How do you know which islands are designated Recreation? 1. KiosksandFINDbrochures 2 Contacthe IRUPField Oaice:IRWiModdadnp,netor(321)953- sam 3. IRL Spoil Island Website: wwwa,,,9iplapdprpjed.o g 4. Google Maps: Spoil Island Project Map Frequently Asked Questions for Spoil Island Camping • Camping is limited to recreation/education islands • Campsites are first come/ first serve • Pack in/packoutpoticy - during am • Refrain from cutting shoreline vegetation, especially mangroves. INW.. Spoil Island Project • Spoil Island Workgroup State - Federal Academic ^' - 1 °-- Non-profit yt�••r�' Volunteers \lW��•VI4j/ • Coordinate management efforts among agencies for recreational and ecological%-Wr- interests.I Enhaneentent Dais • FDEP volunteer events. Staff Adopters Volunteers • Exotic Removal • Addition of native plants • Recreational structures Moak, tables Fire rings Kiosk • Fundin through Florida Inland navigation District (FIND) RIYrR � OOY . ♦ , U 11-..:...- FU Enhancement Projects • Spoil Island Work Days Exotic Removal/Native Plantin PicNc Table/Firepit mamtlabar Island cleanup • Eagle Scout Projects • Adopt-ASpoil Island Progra. n..c- Plantings - '� •All native to IRL area. ' p r Maritime hammock and coastal strand species. _ Z�''= SC47 used as test site . Shade forming Increase habitat value Planted in removal areas i lfttl 4� planting 9/21/11 COIRT,,R ..k 3/12 77 mon0%,Itpr Planting 1. Kiosksand FIND broth.. L Conlan the IRIAP Field Office JRLAPritloddadep net or (M) 95Y5We 1 ML Spoil Island Website:www.�iRalanJnmlMog A. Google Maps: Spoil Island Pm(M Map S. Faaebook: Spall Island Pmjecl tw