HomeMy WebLinkAboutDocumentation_Environmental Advisory Committee_Tab 03_8/11/2021Agenda Item #3.
Environmental Advisory Committee (EAC)
STAFF MEMO
Meeting: Environmental Advisory Committee (EAC) - Aug 11 2021
Staff Contact: Thomas Bradford, EAC Chair Department: Environmental Advisory
Committee
Recommendation to the Village Council on a Request for a Letter of Endorsement for the Loxa-Lucie
Headwaters Initiative
SUMMARY: '04
This document and any attachments may be reproduced upon request in an alternative format by completing
our Accessibility Feedback Form, sending an e-mail to the Village Clerk or calling 561-768-0443.
Agenda Memo 21-253 - Pdf copy
Loxa-Lucie Request Memo 081121
Page 9 of 60
Agenda Item #3.
Regular Council
STAFF MEMO-'
Meeting: Regular Council - Jul 08 2021
Staff Contact: Jeremy Allen, Village Manager Department: Manager
Letter of Endorsement Request for Loxa-Lucie Preservation Initiative - Geraldine Genco Dube
The following linkwill take you to a PowerPoint presentation describing the Loxa-Lucie Preservation
Initiative.
This document and any attachments may be reproduced upon request in an alternative format by completing
our Accessibility Feedback Form, sending an e-mail to the Village Clerk or calling 561-768-0443.
Endorsement Request LoxaLucie Preservation Initiative
Page 10 of 60
Agenda Item #3.
Lori McWilliams
From: Jeremy Allen
Sent: Monday, June 21, 2021 11:12 AM
To: GGenco@me.com
Cc: Lori McWilliams; Kyle Stone
Subject: FW: [EXTERNAL] Online Form Submittal: E-Mail Form for Jeremy Allen
Mrs. Dube,
Sorry for the delayed response, as I was off for a few days. We can put this on the Council agenda for July 8th. Will you
be able/willing to attend to present to Council and ask for the endorsement? I have copied Lori McWilliams on the e-
mail and can assist with any presentation you may have. I have also copied Mr. Stone as you have referenced trying to
get him the materials.
Name* GG Dube
e-mail GGenco(cDme.com
address*
Subject* Letter of Endorsement
Message* Hi Jeremy, I'm Geraldine Genco Dube, a former Council Member of VOT. Have heard many nice things about you. I am
still staying involved in local matters and am currently working on the Loxa-Lucie Preservation Initiative. I sent items to
Councilmember Stone, but think it may have gone into the Internet Web. We are looking for a letter of support, and was
wondering if you could have this placed on the Village Council's Agenda? Its a great project that all residents will benefit
from and provide a significant amount of recreational land linking the Atlantic Ridge Preserve to Jonathan Dickinson Park.
This is a link to the organizations website: <a href="https://protect-us.mimecast.com/s/84NQCJ6Pl OtrBgEhV-
asm?domain=loxalucieheadwaters.org">https://www.loxalucieheadwaters.org/Below</a> is a pdf pamphlet for distribution
to the Council. I would be glad to pick up any endorsement, or you could have it mailed to me on behalf of the Loxa-Lucie
(see address below). Sample endorsement language: "We are pleased to provide this letter of support for the Loxa-Lucie
Headwaters conservation initiative. The acquisition and transfer of privately -owned properties into conservation
ownership and management will conserve native plant communities and protect the ecological corridor between the
Atlantic Ridge Preserve State Park and Jonathan Dickinson State Park. These conservation lands are currently bisected
by Bridge Road and are vulnerable to further impacts as a result of development pressure from surrounding areas. The
mosaic of low pine flatwoods, depression marshes, wet prairies, mixed upland forests, cypress domes and ruderal
communities within the project provide habitat for a high diversity of plant and animal life, including a number of plant
species that are designated by the State of Florida as Endangered, Threatened or Commercially Exploited. Additionally,
these areas serve as hydrologic feeder areas for the South Fork of the St. Lucie River and through Kitching Creek to the
Loxahatchee River, Florida's first designated Wild and Scenic River. Bringing privately -owned lands into conservation
management will allow hydrologic restoration to take place and encourage the removal of invasive pest plants, two
activities that will benefit native plant and animal communities." Please let me know. Thank you! G Genco Dube (I have
moved, but not far same contact phone 745 3893) 11971 SE Blrkdale Run Tequesta, FL 33469-1742
* indicates required fields.
View any uploaded files by signing in and then proceeding to the link below:
http://www.tequesta.org/Admin/FormHistor�aspx?SID=9959
The following form was submitted via your website: E-Mail Form for Jeremy Allen
Name: GG Dube
e-mail address: GGencokme.com
Subject: Letter of Endorsement
Page 11 of 60
Agenda Item #3.
Message: Hi Jeremy,
I'm Geraldine Genco Dube, a former Council Member of VOT. Have heard many nice things about you. I am
still staying involved in local matters and am currently working on the Loxa-Lucie Preservation Initiative. I sent
items to Councilmember Stone, but think it may have gone into the Internet Web. We are looking for a letter of
support, and was wondering if you could have this placed on the Village Council's Agenda? Its a great project
that all residents will benefit from and provide a significant amount of recreational land linking the Atlantic
Ridge Preserve to Jonathan Dickinson Park.
This is a link to the organizations website: htlps://www.loxalucieheadwaters.or,/B� is a pdf pamphlet for
distribution to the Council.
I would be glad to pick up any endorsement, or you could have it mailed to me on behalf of the Loxa-Lucie (see
address below).
Sample endorsement language:
"We are pleased to provide this letter of support for the Loxa-Lucie Headwaters conservation initiative. The
acquisition and transfer of privately -owned properties into conservation ownership and management will
conserve native plant communities and protect the ecological corridor between the Atlantic Ridge Preserve
State Park and Jonathan Dickinson State Park. These conservation lands are currently bisected by Bridge Road
and are vulnerable to further impacts as a result of development pressure from surrounding areas.
The mosaic of low pine flatwoods, depression marshes, wet prairies, mixed upland forests, cypress domes and
ruderal communities within the project provide habitat for a high diversity of plant and animal life, including a
number of plant species that are designated by the State of Florida as Endangered, Threatened or Commercially
Exploited. Additionally, these areas serve as hydrologic feeder areas for the South Fork of the St. Lucie River
and through Kitching Creek to the Loxahatchee River, Florida's first designated Wild and Scenic River.
Bringing privately -owned lands into conservation management will allow hydrologic restoration to take place
and encourage the removal of invasive pest plants, two activities that will benefit native plant and animal
communities."
Please let me know.
Thank you!
G Genco Dube
(I have moved, but not far same contact phone 745 3893)
11971 SE BIrkdale Run
Tequesta, FL 33469-1742
Additional Information:
Form submitted on: 6/16/2021 5:04:47 PM
Submitted from IP Address: 76.108.47.221
Referrer Page: https://www.teguesta.org/78/Manager
Form Address: http://www.teguesta.org/Forms.aspx?FID=185
Page 12 of 60
Agenda Item #3.
Memo
To: Environmental Advisory Committee Members
From: Thomas G. Bradford, Chair, EAC
cc: NA
Date: August 4, 2021
Re: Request for a Letter of Endorsement from the Village Council for the Loxa-Lucie
Headwaters Initiative
Recommendation
It is recommended that the EAC recommend to the Village Council that they take no action on the
request for a Letter of Endorsement for the Loxa-Lucie Headwaters Initiative, the same action
taken by the Loxahatchee River Environmental Control District. If the Loxa-Lucie Headwaters
Initiative moves beyond the purchase of a single parcel with northside frontage on Bridge Road a
Letter of Endorsement can be re -visited at that time, if requested.
Background
At their meeting on July 8, 2021, the Village Council deferred a matter to the EAC for a
recommendation. The issue was a request by Geraldine Dube, a resident of Jupiter Hills, but a
former Tequesta resident and member of the Tequesta Village Council, to have the Village Council
write a letter of endorsement of the Loxa-Lucie Headwaters Initiative. I took it upon myself to
move quickly and to add this Village Council request to the EAC agenda for July 14.
According to the Loxa-Lucie website, the Loxa-Lucie Headwaters Initiative envisions a protected
ecological corridor that will connect the sources of the Loxahatchee River and St. Lucie River and
form a preserve for plant and wildlife, connecting a land mass of nearly 70,000 acres (Atlantic
Ridge Preserve and Jonathan Dickinson State Parks). The stated purpose is to permanently restore
Page 13 of 60
Agenda Item #3.
historical waterflows to the St. Lucie and Loxahatchee Rivers and protect existing natural lands in
an ecological corridor for native endangered plants and wildlife between two state parks.
To learn more, see the following link to the Loxa-Lucie website:
ho2s://www.loxalucieheadwaters.orp-/
Please note the following:
o All but one of the listed website endorsements for the Loxa-Lucie Headwaters project were
from organizations located in Martin County. The one outlier was the Indian River
Coalition based in Indian River County. No agency/organization from Palm Beach County
has endorsed the Loxa-Lucie Headwaters Initiative.
o Per the EAC request last month, I contacted Bud Howard, Director of Information Services,
Loxahatchee River District (LRECD). Mr. Howard informed me that people associated
with the Loxa-Lucie Headwaters Initiative did make contact with his agency and requested
a letter of endorsement from the LRECD Board, but his Board took no action on the
request. I asked him why no action and he said the Board did not indicate why they chose
not to respond to the request.
o Loxa-Lucie Headwaters Initiative has long-term plans to connect 70,000 acres of State
Park land (Atlantic Ridge Preserve and Jonathan Dickinson State Parks) with an ecological
corridor, but only have apparent plans in the works, but not yet implemented, that would
purchase only 138 acres on north side Bridge Road frontage for sale today.
o The Loxa-Lucie Headwaters Initiative website states the following: "The Loxa-Lucie
Headwaters Initiative is a multi -year project that is beginning with the Phase 1
acquisition. Phase 1 is 138-acres in size and has been, for sale. for a number of years. By
acquiring this land, one goal is to restore the hydrology of the area. Martin CountV would
then be interested in doing hydrological restoration; raising the water table on the property
which would help them address regionalsflooding in Hobe Sound and controlling the water
flow into the St. Lucie River, which would help with water quality. " No mention of Kitching
Creek or the Loxahatchee River.
o The Loxahatchee River Wild and Scenic Designation and Preservation Act required the
FDEP and SFWMD to jointly develop, administer, and implement a Wild and Scenic River
Management Plan. The Act established the Loxahatchee River Management Coordinating
Council (Council) to assist the FDEP and SFWMD in plan development. Today, the
Council consists of representatives from the following agencies and organizations: City of
Palm Beach Gardens, Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Florida
Department of Community Affairs, Florida Department of State, Division of Historical
Resources, Florida Department of Transportation, Florida Department of Environmental
Protection, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Jupiter Inlet District,
Palm Beach County, Palm Beach County Farm Bureau, Palm Beach County Conservation
represented by Florida Native Plant Society, Loxahatchee River Environmental Control
District, Martin County, Martin County Conservation represented by Martin County
Audubon Society, National Park Service represented by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service,
E
Page 14 of 60
Agenda Item #3.
Northern Palm Beach County Improvement District, River Land Owners represented by
Gulfstream Boy Scouts of America, River Users represented by Palm Beach Pack and
Paddle Club, South Florida Water Management District, South Indian River Water Control
District, Town of Jupiter, Treasure Coast Regional Planning Council, United States
Department of Interior, Bureau of Land Management, United States Geological Survey,
Village of Tequesta. The coordinating council shall review and make recommendations, in
the first instance, on all applications for permits required by this act, as well as all proposals
for amendments or modifications to the permanent management plan, and render its
nonbinding advisory opinion to the board [Governing Board of the SFWMD] and the
department.
o 63 percent of the watershed (168,393 acres) is in the natural areas land use designation.
Urban areas cover 25 percent of the watershed. Agricultural and other land uses comprise
the remainder of the watershed (12%).
o The primary focus area for the "Loxa" portion of the Loxa-Lucie Initiative is the Kitching
Creek Primary Basin, one of twelve Primary Basin comprising the Loxahatchee Watershed.
o Per the 2010 Loxahatchee River National Wild and Scenic River Management Plan three
causes of salt water intrusion in the Loxahatchee River that have been identified as
contributing factors are:
i. Insufficient flows to the Northwest Fork from its headwaters and major tributaries;
ii. Effects of dredging activities in the river's estuary and Jupiter Inlet; and
iii. The drawdown of groundwater levels by wells.
o The 2010 Loxahatchee River National Wild and Scenic River Management Plan called for
acquiring and restoring select properties adjacent to the Wild and Scenic River and its
tributaries, including, but not limited to Cypress, Moonshine and Kitching Creeks, Pal Mar
wetlands and Loxahatchee Slough.
o Projects underway at the time included the Kitching Creek Restoration Project designed to
reconnect the historic flows to Kitching Creek, which provided major freshwater
contributions to the Northwest Fork of the Loxahatchee River. Urban development of the
upper watershed had diverted and affected the timely distribution of these flows to Jonathan
Dickinson State Park and the Northwest Fork. The Kitching Creek Phase IV Restoration
Project entailed the restoration of the historical discharges of the headwaters of the
Kitching Creek watershed. The project area is located south of Bridge Road, in between I-
95 and U.S. Highway 1 in southern Martin County. The project was designed to improve
water quality and quantity by enhancing surface water deliveries to Kitching Creek and
restore up to 1,000 acres of habitat in the upper Kitching Creek watershed. Rehydration of
this watershed will increase nesting and roosting by wading birds, improve habitat for fish,
invertebrates and other riverine-dependent species, and lead to improved water quality.
o In 2009, Martin County acquired the Kitching Creek Preserve property to help restore the
Central Flow Way of Kitching Creek and the Loxahatchee River. The Kitching Creek
Preserve is a 51-acre nature area that is managed by Martin County, located at 6125 138t'
Street in Hobe Sound. See this link: bqps://www.martin.fl.us/KitchingCreek
o The 2018 update of the Loxahatchee River Wild & Scenic Plan - Project Implementation
Schedule includes development of MFL's (minimum flows and minimum water levels) for
the tributaries, including Loxahatchee Slough, Cypress Creek, Hobe Grove Ditch and
Kitching Creek and also acquisition and restoration of select properties adjacent to the Wild
3
Page 15 of 60
Agenda Item #3.
and Scenic River and its tributaries, including, but not limited to Cypress, Moonshine and
Kitching Creeks, Pal Mar wetlands and Loxahatchee Slough.
The reason I have walked you through this history is to show you that much work has been done
in the "Loxa" portion of the proposed Loxa-Lucie Initiative, most of it in Martin County south of
Bridge Road and more improvements are on the way. There is no assurance that the non-public
sector efforts of the Loxa-Lucie Headwaters Initiative will be able to accomplish anything on the
scale that the various governments can do and have done, beyond perhaps the purchase of one 138-
acre parcel that abuts Bridge Road on the north. The current focus of the Loxa-Lucie Initiative is
north of Bridge Road and those interested and supportive of their efforts are overwhelmingly based
in Martin County. Lastly, their own website makes me think their current emphasis, should it
evolve beyond buying one parcel fronting Bridge Road, may be to only have Martin County or
SFWMD raise the water table north of Bridge Road and funnel that water to the St. Lucie River,
which has suffered from recent algae blooms emanating from Lake Okeechobee. Of course,
SFWMD should not let them divert water north of Bridge Road that historically went to Kitching
Creek and then to the Loxahatchee River, I would hope.
In conclusion, I recommend to the EAC that we recommend to the Village Council that they take
no action on the request for a Letter of Endorsement for the Loxa-Lucie Headwaters Initiative, the
same action taken by the Loxahatchee River Environmental Control District. If the Loxa-Lucie
Headwaters Initiative moves beyond the purchase of a single parcel with northside frontage on
Bridge Road a Letter of Endorsement can be re -visited at that time, if requested.
I have also attached the same backup information that was provided to the Village Council for
their July 8 Village Council meeting. Hopefully, we can review and make a recommendation for
the Village Council in time for their meeting on August 11.
El
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