HomeMy WebLinkAboutDocumentation_Environmental Advisory Committee_Tab 04_1/8/2025 Agenda Item #4.
Environmental Advisory Committee (EAC)
STAFF MEMO
R
Meeting: Environmental Advisory Committee (EAC) - Jan 08 2025
Staff Contact: Brad Freese Department: Environmental Advisory
Committee
Response to EAC Email Regarding Jupiter Narrows Conservation Alliance
OF
See attached letter addressed to the EAC members from Butch Powell
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Jupiter Narrows Memo-Butch Powell
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Agenda Item #4.
Name: Butch Powell
Home Address:: 375 Beach Road
e-mail address: fppcmt@gmail.com
Phone Number:: 678-475-1701
Subject: Reasons to Preclude Jupiter Narrows Breakwaters
Message: Dear Village of Tequesta Council Members
cc Environmental Advisory Committee
In March of 2024, the VOT Council voted unanimously and wrote a letter of support for the
Jupiter Narrows Conservation Alliance ("JNCA") initiative to restore mangroves and
seagrasses in the Jupiter Narrows. This letter clearly stated VOT's intention "to protect and
preserve the environmental integrity of the Jupiter Narrows and the surrounding marine
environment." Since then, a specific plan has emerged from JNCA-Taylor Engineering with
consequences the VOT may not be aware of or have intended. In addition, the Florida Fish
and Wildlife Commission ("FWC") is on track to implement a new slow speed zone that will
significantly improve the area's hydrological dynamics impacting mangroves and
seagrasses.
Although the JNCA-Taylor Engineering ("TE") plan is no doubt well purposed for sea grass
and mangrove protection from high energy boat wakes, it has dangerous safety
consequences. The TE plan would constrict the Jupiter Narrows further with the addition of
800 linear feet of hard rock barriers on the west side of the mangrove islands (Cato Bridge
up to about Marker 60). This area between the west side of the mangroves and the east side
of the main channel is heavily used by boaters, paddle boarders, kayakers and swimmers.
The proposed hard rock barriers appear to reduce this area by about 50%, from about 150
feet wide to about 75 feet wide. With a variety of users from the public Coral Cove Park just
north of the mangrove islands, the area west of the mangrove islands has become the most
congested and dangerous section of the Jupiter Narrows in the Intracoastal Waterway
("ICW"). This is highlighted in the Jupiter Narrows AtkinsRealis Vessel Traffic Study
commissioned by the FWC and published in July of 2024 (see pages 21, 22, 23).
Besides the safety concerns with hard rock barriers in the waterway, a substantial and
unforeseen change is underway with the FWC that will establish a boating restricted area
and lower the speed zone in the Jupiter Narrows. The TE Final Report dated November
Page 14 of 37
Agenda Item #4.
2024, Overview on page 2 states the mangroves "have experienced heavy erosion due to
boat wake wave action." The new FWC slow speed-minimal wake zone will eliminate the
wave induced erosion energy from boat wakes, listed by Taylor Engineering as the reason
for the mangrove's heavy erosion.
Once this new slow speed zone is implemented, the hard rock breakwaters will have a
considerable probability of not being effective or needed, as it will preclude high and
moderate energy boat wakes. The installation of hard rock breakwaters will not offer any
material protection from sea level rise, water quality or windstorms — the other reasons that
are often cited as contributing factors for mangrove and seagrass degradation.
A very close look is warranted in this situation to consider all the consequences of placing
permanent hard rock breakwaters in the Jupiter Narrows waterway. The JNCA-TE approach,
if pursued, will not only be a backward step for the area's safety, it will also significantly alter
and degrade the area's natural beauty and character. Installation of this material that is
foreign to the natural habitat and ecosystem will likely not be effective or even necessary to
achieve the goal of restoring the Jupiter Narrows mangrove islands and seagrasses.
From a holistic point of view, the current JNCA plan has limitations with a stated objective
that "JNCA is completely and solely focused on protection and restoration, as it is necessary,
regardless of the speed limit issue, to save the mangrove islands and seagrasses." I respect
their passion and focus and believe we can all appreciate the desire to save the mangroves.
However, this needs to be accomplished in ways that do not degrade the other important
aspects of the Jupiter Narrows, including its safety as well as protecting the aesthetic
integrity of this natural waterway. I am sure everyone is completely aligned with the VOT
letter position stating, "we care deeply about the communities and marine habitats that
make our area unique, especially our intracoastal waterways."
I am asking the VOT to support the request for the FDEP to reject the current permit
application proposing to install hard rock breakwaters in the Jupiter Narrows. As this portal
does not appear to allow attachments, please contact me for a letter to the Florida
Department of Environmental Protection for your review that outlines most of the above
reasons why this proposed JNCA project should not go forward as presented in the FDEP
permit application (Environmental Resource Permit, Facility Site ID ERP-455378, Jupiter
Narrows Mangrove Islands District SED, Palm Beach County). Thank you for all you do for
the VOT, I appreciate your consideration and wish all of you an Outstanding New Year.
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