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HomeMy WebLinkAbout06032014NRB Minutes01YOF SEBASTL HOME OF PELICAN ISLAND 1225 Main Street, Sebastian, FL 32958 (772) 589 -5330 Phone (772) 589 -5570 Fax MINUTES NATURAL RESOURCES BOARD REGULAR MEETING TUESDAY, JUNE 3, 2014 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" Chairperson Graves called the Natural Resources Board meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. 2. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. 3. ROLL CALL Present AI Alvarez Robin Graves - Chair Gil Gordian Hank Kriss Alan Northcott — Vice Chair George Millar Bob Progulske - Alternate John Brady - Alternate Absent: Ann Lucier (excused) Also Present: Frank Watanabe, P.E., Community Development Director /City Engineer /Airport Manager Cindy Watson, Environmental Specialist /Airport Administrator Barbara Brooke - Reese, Electronic Records & Information Manager Jeanette Williams, Recording Secretary 4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A. May 6, 2014 Regular Meeting Mr. Northcott asked that his name be spelled correctly on page two and noted the date of the July Clean Up should be 261" instead of 27tH Mr. Millar noted he was not in attendance and asked the record to reflect he asked for an excused absence that night. The minutes were approved as amended. (No vote was taken.) Natural Resources Board June 3, 2014 Page Two 5. ANNOUNCEMENTS Frank Watanabe introduced himself as the City's new Community Development Director, Engineer, and Airport Manager. He invited the Board to contact him with any environmental, developmental concerns. The new alternate member, John Brady said he is a long time resident that enjoys Sebastian's natural resources and thought he could contribute. 6. PUBLIC INPUT —None. 7. OLD BUSINESS Mr. Millar said Earth Day was great event; while the school bus and garbage truck probably should have had a sign, he assured them he was there to describe the two units to the public. Mr. Millar also noted the Fire Marshall asked the City to provide larger fire extinguishers and more of them for future events in the park. 8. NEW BUSINESS A. Oyster Beds Toby Jarman, Vero Beach Power Squadron Joanne Jarman Paul Dritenbas, Vero Beach Rotary Club Sunrise, Florida Inland Navigational District Commissioner, and Charter Boat Owner Mr. Jarman said the Indian River Lagoon is 156 miles long, with many segments of problems. In the Sebastian area, there is a dramatic decline in wildlife due to the recent large algae bloom that has killed much of the sea grass. He explained that oysters are Mother Nature's natural filter that clarifies the water and a keystone species that will support the life of 300 other species. 12" x 12" He said the Vero Beach Power Squadron and Rotary Club are rrfaking oyster mats buff for the Coastal Conservation Association. He displayed a/mesh mat with about 36 bleached oysters shells attached with zip ties. He said the mat is placed in the water and weighted down with sprinkler donuts. The cost is $7.46 per mat. He said the mat is placed in the Lagoon in March when fertilized oyster larvae latch onto the shiny side of the oyster shells to become spat. The spat takes a year to become an adult. If it doesn't latch, the larvae gets eaten or dies off. The gulf shore shells come from a shucking plant where they are soaked in bleach to prevent the invasion of exotic organisms; a hole is drilled in each shell and zip tied to the mat to stand up vertical. There is a shell -free edge around the mat to allow room for the donut weight and to stand for placement. Mr. Dritenbas explained surveys must be completed to determine where the mats should be placed by Dr. Vincent Encomio, Florida Oceanographic Society, or Dr. John Scarpa, Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute at Florida Atlantic University or Dr. Grant Gillmore, Estuarine, Coastal and Ocean Science, Inc. He noted St. Johns River Water Management is currently taking aerial photos of the Lagoon to identify sea grass patches. Natural Resources Board June 3, 2014 Page Three The mats cannot be placed within two feet of existing sea grass; must not be disturbed and must be engulfed in water part of the day. If the mat is disturbed it must be removed. Mats can be placed with a bed enhancement permit or oyster reef permit received from the Department of Environmental Protection and Army Corp of Engineers. The Environmental Planner said she would be looking for grants and seeking the permits. Mr. Jarman said it is a labor intensive project, the Power Squadron and Rotary Club would like to develop a team. Earlier this year, their 80 member team made 760 mats using 27,000 shells, working 9 a.m. to noon from January to March at a cost of $7.47 per mat that were placed south of the Barber Bridge. To give an idea of storage needed for that many mats, they could be five high in a two car garage. Their project with 760 mats housed five oysters per shell providing for 500,000,000 gallons of clean water. He said students are an enormous resource for building the mats and they would be meeting with the Boys and Girls Club for future assembly. Involving young children may entice them to become future scientists or good stewards of the environment. It was discussed that mats could be placed from the Wabasso Causeway to the North where there is no wave action. Mr. Jarman said placement on a sandbar is optimal or during low tide. 6:37 pm Mr. Jarman said in Brevard County, the Nature Conservancy and Brevard Zoo laid 50,000 mats. A Brevardian shell supplier shucks three semi truck bins worth of shells every day; the more they give away, the less goes into the landfill; the shells dry out in the sun at Sturgis Lumberyard; the mats can be made and stored all year long; other ways to attach the oysters might be possible if approved by the Army Corp of Engineers; a successful mat can't be seen after 60 days and in three years will be one whole oyster bed; harvesting must be approved by the Aquatic Preserve Manager; GPS coordinates must be taken to certify they do not shift within one year or after a hurricane event. 6:57 pm B. Discussion — NRB Website Barbara Brooke - Reese, Electronic Records & Information Manager The Information Manager requested new content for the Board's website which could be posted within 24 -48 hours after e- mailing the information to the Environmental Planner. She noted the people visiting the website are looking for what the new fertilizer ordinance has changed in user friendly language. Chairperson Graves noted she received a nice e-mail from a class that used the Board's website for their composting project. She asked one of the members to start a document of what the changes are. Mr. Northcott suggested posting short, layman articles as soon as possible. Mr. Millar said one of his favorite websites is Indian River by Air which changes daily. The consensus was to have the Members send information to the Environmental Planner to check for accuracy and posting. Chairperson Graves said she has forwarded information recently but nothing has happened. The Information Manager said there has been a lot of staff changing within the last six months. Natural Resources Board June 3, 2014 Page Four 9. MEMBER MATTERS In response to Mr. Gordian, Chairperson Graves said anyone having a champion tree can contact a Board Member to measure the tree at any time. Mr. Millar suggested putting the past champion trees on the website. Discussion followed that during Memorial Day weekend, there were patrons from three local restaurants that have really trashed the spoil islands. Mr. Gordian offered to get the adoptee names of the spoil islands so they can help with their July 26" clean up. Chairperson Graves said she asked the Environmental Specialist if there was a way to have the law enforcement agencies patrol the islands to remind the boaters to take their trash when they leave. Mr. Gordian offered to look into posting some relevant signs. Chairperson Graves suggested contacting the individuals prior to events to let them know they are being watched. Mr. Northcott announced the Indian River County Commissioners are talking about expanding the Oslo Boat Ramp which will affect 70% of the sea grass in the Lagoon and asked the Members to watch the upcoming Commission meeting to see what happens. 10. STAFF MATTERS — None. 11. Being no further business, Chairperson Graves adjourned the Natural Resources Board meeting at 7:19 p.m. By: T i AL— l Approved as amended on page two. ChairOrson Robin Graves Dat