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HomeMy WebLinkAboutDocumentation_Environmental Advisory Committee_Tab 07_8/13/2025 Agenda Item #7. Village of Tequesta 345 Tequesta Drive 561-768-0700 Tequesta, FL 33469 www.tequesta.org TO: Molly Young, Mayor;Jeremy Allen, Village Manager FROM: Brad Freese, Chair EAC DATE: 2/14/2025 SUBJECT: Village of Tequesta Environmental Advisory Committee 2025 Strategic Goals Introduction: In our capacity to advise the Tequesta Village Council the EAC prioritizes all referrals from the Council for environmental review. We are committed to offer insight, advice, and recommendations to Council. In response to increasing environmental challenges and community demands for a healthier, more sustainable environment, the EAC has undertaken a more proactive approach to environmental stewardship. With guidance from the 2024 Village of Tequesta Citizen Survey (Q11), this memo reports on our 2025 strategic goals and initiatives addressing the environmental concerns of Tequesta citizens and driving long-term environmental, economic, and social benefits. Strategic Goals &Initiatives: 1. Green Building Initiatives Objective: Promote sustainable construction practices and retrofit existing buildings to reduce energy consumption, lower greenhouse gas emissions, and improve indoor environmental quality. Action Items: Develop incentive programs (e.g., reduced permit fees, expedited review) for projects meeting recognized green standards (LEED, EnergyStar, etc.). Update building codes to incorporate energy-efficient designs, renewable energy integration, and sustainable materials. 2. Enhanced Streetscapes Objective: Transform public spaces into safe, attractive, and sustainable environments that encourage walking,biking, and community engagement. Action Items: Invest in redesigning key corridors with greenery, tree canopies, permeable pavements, and sustainable stormwater management features. Incorporate public art and educational signage that highlights environmental stewardship and local biodiversity. This document may be reproduced upon request in an alternative format by contacting the Village Clerk's Office at 561-768-0440 or by completing our accessibility form: https://bit.ly/3mnfeU4 Page 47 of 48 Agenda Item V. 3. Living Shorelines Objective: Protect coastal and waterfront areas using nature-based and engineered solutions that buffer erosion, improve water quality, and provide wildlife habitat. Action Items: Identify viable shoreline areas and prioritize them for living shoreline projects that use native vegetation, oyster reefs, and other natural materials (Dover Ditch, Tequesta Bridge). Education through community outreach on the benefits and practical solutions of living shorelines (EAC Living Shoreline Evening Event 3/4/2025). Secure funding through municipal, county, state and federal sources to incentivize current waterfront properties to adapt elements for a living shoreline. 4. Single-Stream Recy cog Objective: Streamline the recycling process to increase participation, reduce contamination, and maximize resource recovery. Municipalities with single stream recycling (one container for all recyclables) have shown >30% increase in collected recyclables compared to dual-stream recycling (two containers for segregated recyclables). Action Items: Continued public education campaigns to homeowners and businesses and incentivize recycling initiatives. Reinforce to Waste Management their advantages to single stream recycling: more recyclable material collected, more efficient collection, etc. 5. Support of Environmental Legislation Objective: Actively support and advocate for county, state, and federal policies that foster environmental protection, renewable energy adoption, resiliency, and sustainable development. Action Items: Develop a municipal position paper endorsing key environmental policies and outline actionable steps for their implementation. Engage with local and regional networks to share best practices and leverage collective advocacy for legislative reform. Page 2 of 2 Page 48 of 48