2010.03.23_BSAB_Minutes_Workshop•'~ ~ 6 N l A'~~~
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'3' _ •~' MINUTES OF THE
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~~,f *•.. .: * BEACHES & SHORES ADVISORY BOARD
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h'~`""'~~ WORKSHOP MEETING
Tuesday, March 23, 2010 9:30 AM
Members Present: Chair Rosalind Svenstrup; Vice Chair Joel Ignatin; Member Linda
Albertson; Member Susan Hiles; and Member Barbara Zeeman.
Also Attending: Deputy Town Clerk Valerie Oakes and members of the general public.
1. CALL TO ORDER:
Chairman Svenstrup called the Workshop Meeting to order at 9:30 AM. Roll Call was
taken by Deputy Town Clerk Oakes, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.
2. PRESENTATION:
• Update on Mangrove Protection and Management in Highland Beach -Carman Vare,
Palm Beach County Department of Environmental Resources Management
• The County can commit to maintaining Palm Beach County's property. Former County
Commissioner McCarty had funds set aside to help with the mangrove project but those
monies were redirected.
A Special Tax Unit can be established that would remove the odor, mosquitoes and no-
see-ums.
Mr. Vare applied for a permit to place rock along the shoreline. There is progressive
erosion; there has been an 80 ft. loss countywide. Rocks protect the mangroves that are
left. There are grants to pay for the installation of the rocks. Highland Beach may be
able to match funds. Ditches flush the ecosystem, which begins akick-start process.
Mangroves provide food and a habitat to smaller fish. Palm Beach County has
successfully completed the Sea Grass Survey.
Chair Svenstrup -Large boat wakes are the cause to the destruction of mangroves. The
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission could limit the boat wakes produced
by removing the wakes or establishing a wave height restriction. Mr. Vare - It is difficult
to establish a no wake zone or a wave height restriction.
Mr. Spole -Waves are a detriment to the mangroves. Who regulates the wave
restrictions? Would propose that Highland Beach sign a petition that the boat wakes are
ruining the environment. Has filed a petition with the Department of Health that the
• mangroves are being allowed to decay. Chair Svenstrup -Florida Fish and Wildlife
Conservation Commission wants to keep the Intracoastal Waterway as their Interstate-95.
Mr. Spole -The town attorney should look into this issue.
Beaches & Shores Advisory Board
March 23, 2010 Page 2 of 3
Vice Chair Ignatin -Palm Beach County established a .300 ft. setback before and after
• bridges. The issue is enforcement and there is no way to reduce the speed. How do you
enforce a slower speed? Mr. Vare -Call the Palm Beach County Sheriffl s Office.
Vice Chair Ignatin -What is the timeframe for the rock permit? Mr. Vare -Money is a
factor. The permit should be in hand by the Fall. After the permit has been granted, then
funds for the project will be identified. The total is approximately $700,000.00 but half
of the funds could be matched. So far, Palm Beach County has applied for $2 million in
funds and they were granted.
Vice Chair Ignatin - It will be more than nine months before applying for funds. Mr.
Vare -The funding cycle does not begin until April 1St
Chair Svenstrup -Who issues these permits? Mr. Vare -The Florida Department of
Environmental Protection and the Army Corp of Engineers.
Chair Svenstrup -Who does the cleaning? Mr. Vare -They have a contractor.
Chair Svenstrup -Are there any improvements that need to be made to the Jeff Norman
site, which has rocks and docks. Mr. Vare -The Norman property is flushing great, it's
healthy and working fine. Ocean Cove's site has no worries either.
Vice Chair Ignatin -What is the role of the Army Corp of Engineers? Mr. Vare -They
• issue permits. The ERP processes the application to the State. If the application is
approved then it is transmitted to the Army Corp of Engineers for Federal processing.
Vice Chair Ignatin -The earliest is a year from now.
Chair Svenstrup -Will they try to build the channels? Mr. Vare - It is very expensive.
Member Albertson - Is there anything we can do to cosmetically improve the east side?
Dr. Sugerman - No, it is private property. We can send a code officer to determine if
there is a nuisance. Every year in October, a survey of the mangroves is conducted.
Those property owners that are not incompliance are placed under notice regarding the
nuisance. The hard thing is that there is a high tide twice a day. We try to promote
educate by sending material to the private property owners to have them comply with the
standards. Member Albertson -Can we put a group together to clean properties? Dr.
Sugerman -There would need to be a hold harmless agreement, waivers, signatures from
property owners so it is not simple.
Mr. Spole -Thank you for having us. Carman Vare and Ken Spole excused themselves.
3. MISCELLANEOUS:
None.
Beaches & Shores Advisory Board
March 23, 2010 Pa e 3 of 3
• 4. NEXT MEETING:
The next regular scheduled meeting is on Tuesday, April 13, 2010, at 9:30 a.m.
10. ADJOURNMENT:
There being no further business to come before the Board, Chairman Svenstrup
adjourned the meeting at 10:20 AM upon a MOTION by Vice Chair I ng atin; and
seconded by Member Hiles.
APPROVED: ~ ,> /
Rosalind Svenstrup,'Chair
Vacancy
ATTESTED:
Valerie Oakes
Deputy Town Clerk
Date. ~ ~~
Vacancy