HomeMy WebLinkAboutDocumentation_Environmental Advisory Committee_Tab 03_9/10/2025 Agenda Item #3.
Village of Tequesta
345 Tequesta Drive 561-768-0700
Tequesta, FL 33469 www.tequesta.org
TO:Jay Hubsch, Community Development Director
FROM: Brad Freese, Chair EAC
DATE: 8/29/2025
SUBJECT: 2024/2025 EAC Review for Tequesta Village Council
Introduction:
In our capacity to advise the Tequesta Village Council the EAC prioritizes all referrals
from the VOT 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 2024-2025 committee activities.
Agenda Business (July 2024-Aug. 2025):
1. Discussion and revisions to Tequesta living shoreline code.
2. Review of Tequesta tree and non-tree landscaping code. Recommendation to
implement Florida Invasive Species Council (FISC) list with noted exceptions
committee and VOT landscape architect exceptions.
3. JILONA ribbon cutting. Outreach to local schools for student volunteers to help
JILONA to earn community service hours.
4. Discussion of ways to promote recycling in Tequesta. Recommend increasing
residential recycling through implementing single stream recycling bins. JHS
student program with aim to increase Tequesta commercial recycling.
5. Advise Tequesta to officially support legislation to stop planned development of
Johnathan Dickenson State Park. Support State Park Preservation Act.
6. Advise Tequesta to support grant application for Jupiter Narrows restoration
project.
7. Chair Freese attendance at 2024 Florida Resiliency Conference. Presentation of
pertinent sessions to committee. Discussion of how to implement resiliency best
practices in Tequesta.
8. Promoted living shoreline code by hosting evening event presentations at
community center.
9. Discussion of pilot program at Tequesta bridge for a living shoreline.
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Agenda Item #3.
10. Discuss incentives for Tequesta waterfront residents to plant mangroves in effort
to promote living shorelines.
11. Initial discussion to implement a rebate program for residents who purchase
mangroves. Creation of homeowner guide to maintaining mangroves modeled
after FLDEP guidelines.
12. EAC involved in Earth/Arbor day activities and education for attendees.
13. Discussion and support for Tequesta green building incentive program for new
commercial and residential construction.
14.Address Tequesta resident complaint about tree trimming near power lines.
Committee supports a no-fee permit for contractors to give Tequesta oversight of
trimming activities.
15. Address Tequesta resident complaint about construction site run-off and debris.
Review of current code. Committee supports implementation of strategies of
mitigation and minor changes to code.
16. Discussion and recommendation regarding size of EAC and meeting
times/frequency.
17. Discussion of Tequesta vulnerability assessment and strategies to mitigate
current and future impact to Tequesta.
18. Overview and discussion of Dover Ditch project.
Presentations (July 2024-Aug. 2025):
1. Palm Beach County Coastal Resource Management: Management Practices in
Coastal Preservation.
2. Loxahatchee River Environmental Control District: Restoration and
Preservation of Loxahatchee River Watershed.
3. VOT Landscape Architect: Tree Code.
4. Florida Department of Environmental Protection: Coral Bleaching and Effects
on Local Marine Ecosystems.
5. South Florida Water Management District: CERP-Loxahatchee River Watershed
Restoration Project.
6. MANG: Ecosystem Restoration and Improvements.
7. VOT Community Development: LEED Green Incentives Program.
8. Reef Arches: Engineered Structures for Resiliency and Living Shorelines.
9. Loxahatchee River Environmental Control District: Loxahatchee River
Environmental Monitoring and Stormwater Management.
10.Jupiter Narrows Conservation Alliance: Shoreline Restoration Efforts.
11. VOT Utilities: Vulnerability Assessment Results.
12. Jupiter High School: Student Project to Promote and Improve Commercial
Recycling in Tequesta.
13. Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse Outstanding Natural Area: Shoreline Stabilization and
Protection Project.
14.VOT Building Department: Construction Site and Stormwater Management.
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Agenda Item #3.
EAC Initiatives (2025-2026):
1. Amnesty day event modeled after shredding event to incentivize residential
disposal of household hazardous waste.
2. Establish a living shoreline program to incentivize planting of mangroves and
engineered structures. Budget is required to fund rebate of purchased trees with
appropriate oversight and education.
3. Enhance signage for stormwater drains. Budget is needed to create more
descriptive and noticeable signage at drains.
4. Budget is needed to mitigate stormwater run-off pollution through passive
filtration strategies.
5. Strategies to motivate contractors and developers to adopt Green Building
incentives in Tequesta.
6. Budget is needed to expand tree and non-tree landscaping elements to Tequesta
streetscapes.
7. Push Waste Management contractor to pilot for single stream recycling in
Tequesta.
8. Based on feedback from attendees at the living shoreline evening event EAC
would like to plan another event in 2026. Subject matter to be determined.
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