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HomeMy WebLinkAbout12022014NRB Minutes3. El CD LT SBASTIAN HOME OF PELICAN ISLAND MINUTES NATURAL RESOURCES BOARD REGULAR MEETING TUESDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2014 - 6:00 P.M. 1225 MAIN STREET, SEBASTIAN, FL Chairman Northcott called the Natural Resources Board meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. ROLL CALL Alan Northcott — Chairman George Millar Gil Gordian — Vice Chairman Bob Progulske Rose Glaser James Clifton Ann Lucier Andrea Ring Also Present: Frank Watanabe, P.E. — City Engineer Jeanette Williams — Recording Secretary APPROVAL OF MINUTES: November 4, 2014 Regular Meeting MOTION by Ms. Glaser and SECOND by Mr. Gordian to approve the November 4, 2014 regular meeting minutes. 5. ANNOUNCEMENTS Ms. Ring introduced herself; she is a seven year resident, and interested in the restoration of the Indian River Lagoon. PUBLIC INPUT — None NEW BUSINESS A. Presentation by Peter Turner, Sustainable Kashi Peter Turner, Sustainable Kashi, introduced himself saying permaculture is a design science project currently operated on about three acres of land at the Kashi Ashram. The principles are that people should care for the earth, care for each other and share the surplus or leftovers using common practices such as agroforestry, hugelkulture, rainwater harvesting, sheet mulching, guilds, and biochar. Mr. Turner said the project is two and a half years old, a harvest market is available the second Sunday of the month, classes are offered the third Sunday of the month, along with a 72 hour certified permaculture course. (See attached) Natural Resources Board Meeting December 2, 2014 Page Two 6:30 pm In response to questions from the Board, Mr. Turner said they are experiencing success with the root crops and leafy greens; they are building the soil nutrients to diversify their harvest to include squash and corn; and they have a 250 gallon hydroponic tank producing fish, kale and chard. Mr. Turner said he is a self-educated, avid outdoorsman who has learned through trial and error at the Ashram. He invited the Board to tour their garden on Saturdays at 4 p.m. 8. OLD BUSINESS A. Oyster Mat Project Mr. Gordian said he is collecting shells. Mr. Millar said the Brevard Zoo has exhausted their shell supply so he will be contacting the Melbourne seafood house for shells that will need to be sterilized. Mr. Progulske reported that he contacted the Army Corp of Engineers in Cocoa Beach who indicate they may not even need a Corp permit, only a DEP and SJRWMD permit. An Army Corp permit would be needed if the mats are near a navigational channel or sea grass. He distributed a handout from the Brevard County Natural Resources Management Office who is conducting a project using other systems of regeneration. (See attached) He said once he submits the GPS coordinates to the Army Corp, they will determine if a permit is needed and then give him the DEP contact person. Chairman Northcott noted that SJRWMD will require them to stay away from vacated and existing sea grass beds. Mr. Millar noted the Brevard Zoo plans to relocate established mats in the future to which they could follow suit as their project evolves. Mr. Progulske said he would be in further contact with the Brevard County Natural Resources Management Office to see which option they plan to use and ask them to speak to the Board. Chairman Northcott reported Boy Scout John Giordano will be making his presentation to the Eagle Scout Board for approval in the upcoming weeks. The City Engineer advised Board members to keep a paper trail of any contacts with the regulating agencies. 9. MEMBER MATTERS A. Additions to Board Website i. Add Florida Organic Aquaculture Video to Website There was consensus of the Board to add the Florida Organic Aquaculture presentation to the Board's website. ii. Add Vendors Wanted for Earth Day 2015 to Website There was consensus to add the flyer for Earth Day to the website. Natural Resources Board Meeting December 2, 2014 Page Three 6:45 pm There was additional consensus of the Board to add Mr. Turner's presentation to the website as well. Communicating with City Council Mr. Clifton noted there were a number of natural resources concerns addressed by City Council at their last meeting that the Board could have provided input on. He suggested the formation of subcommittees to give reports to Council. The City Engineer said the Board's mission statement does include the improvement of water quality which can be done through the sewer line connections. He offered to ask the City Manager if the Board should provide input regarding the Lagoon to City Council. He explained that when he worked for other agencies, the board chairman did give progress reports/status of certain missions/requested direction on new topics to the City Council. He suggested the Board hold more workshops to work on their projects. Earth Day 2015 In response to Ms. Lucier, Mr. Gordian said he would procure entertainment. Ms. Lucier added that she would ask Disc Jockey Michael to return. 10. STAFF MATTERS In response to Chairman Northcott, the City Engineer said he did not have a chance to review the additional locations for tortoise crossing signs but it would be done before the next meeting. Chairman Northcott also asked the Engineer if he knew what happened with the land clearing at Englar Drive. The City Engineer said it was County property and he was still waiting to receive an answer as to clearing. Mr. Progulske explained that sometimes in areas that oak scrub can't be burned, the land is roller chopped for habitat restoration or to provide a buffer for a controlled burn. In response to Mr. Gordian's request for a tortoise sign on Roseland Road, the City Engineer said he was not authorized to install tortoise crossing signs outside of the City's jurisdiction. 11. Being no further business, Chairman Northcott adjourned the Natural Resources Board meeting at 7:57 p.m. By: ZISZf �f 11 Chairman Alan Northcott bate Introduction to Permaculture Peter Turner Sustainable Kashi What is Permaculture Permaculture is a branch of ecological design that develops sustainable architecture, regenerative and self maintained habitat and agricultural systems modeled from natural ecosystems. • Bill Mollison 12/2/2014 Ethics and Design Principles • Care for the Earth • Care for the people • Share the surplus • 12 Design Principles )\j\ Zone Planning • Minimize labor, Maximize yield • Zone 1 • Zone 2 � � 8,k�nB.xooa.utti�g ur N°° 06' 1� s>\oanilrelrma�s 'ary '"rb No °° neeainern � 4preas N° °o ag • Zone 4 ^� N 3 • Zone 5 i 12/2/2014 2 Analysis of an Element • Inputs • Outputs • Intrinsic characteristics PRODUCTS $ BEHAVIOURS FedhuS nawre ftc4hane Ca Scrakln� ske " NEEDS G"�f n'ii �Ye • <-> Erted CHMACTECTINR C RI51iC5 Wn `r � Toln-arce Ar :£ir NA Common Practices • Agroforestry/ Food Forestry • Hugelkulture • Rainwater harvest' • Sheet mulching • Guilds • Biochar 12/2/2014 3 Permaculture in Your Community • Sustainable Kashi and Kashi Ashram • Added 200 trees to the property • 4 main gardens with over 25 different annuals • Compost all food waste on property • Creating ecological balance in water bodies on property • Educate Community • Permaculture Design Course Contact Information Peter Turner peter@sustainablekashi.com Sustainable Kashi 11155 Roseland Road, Sebastian, FL, 32958 wwwsustainablekashi.com sustainablekashi@gmail.com Fb: sustainablekashi KQS H Itz 12/2/2014 n Ion i Cvb P�'c-q[cl5ke Brevard County Oyster Pilot Project Brevard County Natural Resources Management Project Description Brevard County (County) is proposing an oyster pilot study at three locations within the Indian River Lagoon system. The three locations are Nicol Park, Marsh Harbor Impoundment, and Scout Island (Figure 1). The purpose of this study is to the test the suitability of oyster reef and mat systems in the Indian River Lagoon in Brevard County. Nicol Park The study site will be located in the cove area as shown on Figure 2. Marsh Harbor The study site will start at Station 23 and end at Station 27 as shown on Sheet 3 of the attached Bussen- Meyer Engineering Group Plans (BMEG). Scout Island The study area will be located on the northern tip of Scout Island as shown in Figure 3. Methodology The landward edge of all treatments will be set no further than ten (10) feet waterward of the mean high water mark (See Typical Cross section and Plan View).The study area will receive five treatments of oysters: 1. Empty shell on mat; 2. Empty shell in bags; 3. Adult oysters in bags (fall); 4. Spat on clean shell in bags (spring); and S. Adult on clean shell in bags (spring). Reef modules will be constructed of mesh bags filled with clean oyster shell. The bags are made of a non-biodegradeble, aquaculture net material. The mesh bags measure approximately 36 (36) inches long by nine (9) inches high by nine (9) inches wide. The reef modules will be comprised of two (2) bags high by two (2) bags deep by twelve (12) bags long. The reef modules will have five replicates of each bag treatment given above resulting in 20 nine (9) foot by six (6) foot by eighteen (18) inch reef modules with nine (9) feet between reef modules. Each bag will be secured to those bags around it to create a large immovable mass. The reef modules will be placed by hand on clear sand substrate. This treatment configuration is illustrated in Illustration 1. Reef mats will be comprised of Vexar mesh (16.5 inches square) with clean oyster shell attached to the mesh. The mats will be secured together to create a reef mat module measuring approximately nine (9) feet by six (6) feet and held in place by concrete sprinkler donuts. The mats will be placed on clear sand substrate. The reef mats will be placed with nine (9) feet between each module. This treatment configuration is illustrated in Illustration 2. Final arrangement of reef mats and modules will be field located with inner toe of each module and mat at no more than ten (10) feet from the Mean High Water (MHW-0.6 feet NGVD) line and on clear sand. Total linear shoreline will be 500 feet per site for a total of 1500 feet for the project. Final location of each reef module and seagrass will be recorded via GPS. An As -built showing the of final placement of mats and reefs and nearest sea grasses will be submitted to FDEP. A seagrass survey was conducted from October 3-18, 2014 and is included as Exhibit 1. Actively growing sea grasses were found at Marsh Harbor Impoundment and at Scout Island. Sea grass average distance from Mean High Water at Marsh Harbor is 15 feet and average sea grass distance from shoreline at Scout Island is 20 feet from Mean High Water. Reef modules and reef mats will be monitored for one year to determine treatment suitability for oyster projects within the Banana and Indian River Lagoon within Brevard County. Data collection will include growth rates, percent survival, and natural recruitment. Those portions of the pilot study which are shown through monitoring to provide no practical ecological gain will be removed within one month after final study reports are received by NRM. Tap your own natural resources: sun, wind, water, soil, flora - ♦ ' ' and fauna. A �� Enjoy the bounty and beauty of an edible ?; . landscape Reduce your aRr`5{I17 dependency on fossil fuels _ JReplenish the water table Sustainable Kashi Presents Permaculture Design Course q .,�,. Sustainable Kashi For more information or to register: J. 11155 Roseland Road KCC SHS Sebastian FI 32958 SustainableKashi.com/PDC IV $1300 camping and 3 vegetarian meals a day $1500 dorm accommodations $1650 semi -private room $1850 private room & private bath Organic farming Sustainable energy Bioremediation Soil building Grey water systems Food forestry Edible landscape design Sustainable economies Natural building BioSwale building Composting Natural pest management Animal husbandry Sebastian River sunset at Kashi Ashram, photo credit Krishna Das. A permaculture design course (PDC) is an internationally recognized curriculum, teaching people around the world methods of environmental stewardship and community-based self-reliance. The permaculture philosophy teaches a system of co -habitation between people and the earth, advocating a healthy future for both. The course teaches people to employ the earth's regenerative ecosystems services without exploiting and depleting its finite natural resources. JSP A I A/ 4 Sustainable Kashi is a permaculture project of Kashi Ashram, located on ' 80 acres of land in central Florida. Sustainable Kashi seeks to provide KA S H an environment in which sustainable living can be experienced, fostered, and observed. I Z Flyer printed on 55% postconsumer recycled content and with veqetable based inks with low VOC emissions. Kashi means "The City of light" and is the name of the ancient Indian city of Benares, located on the sacred Ganga River. At Kashi, anyone from any religion, or no religion, is welcome to participate and find the depth in his or her individual spiritual path. We embrace all paths and traditions, providing sanctuary where the goodness of all faiths and one's own expression of God is honored. Our teachings focus on kindless, compassion and service. INTERFAITH SPIRITUAL (OMMUNITV 00 ,t 'rtrii PO Rj Wfi;Pr-.A, _'' r (i �`y SGL. WELCOME TO KASHI, A SACRED OASIS FOR SPIRITUAL GROWTH. Kashi Ashram is an interfaith spiritual community, nestled on 80 acres along the St. Sebastian River of Florida's Treasure Coast. We are a diverse community dedicated to promoting spiritual enrichment, service, and social consciousness. We embrace all faiths and people, regardless of religion, race, gender, color or sexual orientation. The Kashi grounds are a sacred oasis for healing and spiritual growth. A peaceful stillness can be felt by all who come here. Our beautiful shrines and temples are dedicated to many of the world's great spiritual traditions. Founded in 1916 by Ma Jaya Sati Bhagavati, we are now a global community with ashrams and members all over the world. We provide a variety of spiritual and educational programs along with many opportunities to support our charitable projects. BuI` O EDUCATION I The Kashi School of Yoga is a place of personal growth and learning. W offer a wide variety of HUM classes, programs and workshops on yoga, health • , and wellness, and spirituality. Reconnect with suppi yourself through any on of our programs. For into � more on our schedule oficlasses and events, to se% please go to www.kashi.org. CONSCIOUS LIVING ' The Kashi community incites people to live a conscious lifestyle. Kashi is expanding with construction of residential housing, By The River affordable senior housing, and a wellness and retreat center. • Weekly classes are offered in yoga, chanting and meditation at the Kashi School of �ooa • Ma's India is Kashi's spiritual gift store. Visit us or shop online at www.mas-india.com • Intensives, workshops and retreats with world-renowned musicians, health practitioners and spiritual masters • Work study programs for personal spiritual retreats at Kashi Ashram • Global live audio Darshan enables you to connect with Ma Jaya's teachings from anywhere around the world • Feed Everyone progra� offers weekly volunteer visits to local care centers Rental facilities are available for retreats and workshops. We also provide services for evens including weddings and memorials. I I k - KAS H CLASSES AND EVENTS - 2014-2015 Sept 21st - Permaculture Potluck Party. FREE COMMUNITY EVENTI Oct 19th - Optimizing Garden Design Oct 31st - Kashi Halloween Event Nov 16th - Winter Garden Strategies Dec 21st - Peak Harvest and Proper Storage Jan 18th - Nourishing Your Soil Feb 15th - Introduction to Permaculture Mar 17th -28 - Permaculture Design Course Apr 5th - Easter Egg Hunt at Kashi Apr 19th - Fruit Trees for Florida May 17th - Productive Summer Gardens June 21st - Fathers Day Edible Foraging Hunt KASHI SUNDAY MARKETS Oct 12 - Pumpkin Patch & Carving! Nov 16 - Harvest Market Dec 14 - Holiday Market Jan 11- New Year Market Feb 8 —Valentines Market March 8 - Spring Forward Market April 19 - Fruit Tree Market May 10 - Mothers Day Market FARM TOURS EVERY SATURDAY AT 4 PM! PLEASE JOIN IN ON THE EDUCATION AND FUN! To register for classes and for more information visit our website: W W W.SUSTAINABLEKASHI.COM Like us on Facebook www.Facebook.com/SustainableK6shi