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2014.03.19_BSAB_Minutes_Regular �•�16N14�� o`�.• - TOWN OF HIGHLAND BEACH i a ft :s Oil° MINUTES OF THE ' BEACHES & SHORES ADVISORY BOARD LON REGULAR MEETING Wednesday, March 19, 2014 9:30 AM Members Present: Chair Rosalind Svenstrup; Member Linda Albertson; Member Jim Jiovanazzo; Member Elyse Riesa; Member Elizabeth Andrews and Member Rhoda Zelniker. Member Absent: Vice Chair Ira Oakland/Excused. Also Attending: Town Manager Kathleen Weiser, Vice Mayor Brown; Commissioner Sheridan, Commissioner Stern, Administrative Assistant Rosalie DeMartino and members of the public. 1. CALL TO ORDER: Chair Svenstrup called the Regular Meeting to order at 9:30 AM. Roll call was taken by Rosalie DeMartino, Administrative Assistant, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. 2. ADDITIONS, DELETIONS OR ACCEPTANCE OF AGENDA: Chair Svenstrup called for additions, deletions or acceptance of agenda. By consensus the Board accepted the agenda as presented. 3. PUBLIC COMMENTS AND REOUESTS: There were no public comments or requests. 4. PRESENTATIONS • Sea Turtle Talk Day presented by Dr. Kirk Rusenko of Gumbo Limbo Nature and Rehabilitation Center. Dr. Rusenko gave a power point presentation on the sea turtles and their nesting j season which starts on March 1 and ends October 31 There are three species of turtles that nest on our beaches: Leatherbacks, Loggerheads and green turtles which are determined by their tracks in the sand. The Leatherbacks are found only in South Florida and are the largest of the turtle family. They can weigh up to 2200 lbs. and are on an upward trend in our area. Loggerheads are the most common in South Florida followed by the green turtles. Palm Beach County is the most densely nested county in the State and in the country. South Florida is the largest nesting population of Loggerheads in the world. The incubation period for the nests is 55 days and 85% of those eggs will hatch. Dr. Rusenko stated that there is a drop off box at Gumbo Limbo Nature Center if any person walking the beach during the day finds a hatchling that has not entered the water. Beaches & Shores Advisory Board March 19, 2014 Page 2 of 4 The natural predators are fox, raccoons and fire ants. If the turtle volunteers see a nest has been excavated by a fox or raccoon, they will sprinkle pepper powder on the nest to prevent the animal from returning the next night. The biggest threat to turtle nesting is light. The more people that understand how lighting on the beach is a threat to the nesting process, they are willing to do the right thing. Another big problem is Sky Glow which is lighting coming from the west and is beginning to affect the turtles negatively. Hatchlings become disoriented since they generally look for the light on horizon, which is the star light reflected off the ocean, versus the darker dune where the vegetation scatters light and makes it look darker. There has been an increase in the hatchling disorientation over the past few years due to the Sky Glow. He showed several examples of Sky Glow that affects the turtles. Dr. Rusenko showed the different types of lights that would be turtle friendly lighting specific for turtle nesting. Other threats to the turtles are plastics that break down into small pieces, water pollution, boat propellers, fishing nets entanglements, trash and deep holes on the beach. The Rehabilitation Center at Gumbo Limbo Nature Center opened in 2010 and has treated many turtles with diseases, boat propeller cuts and many other life threatening occurrences. Dr. Rusenko mentioned that there will be a Dark Sky Festival on March 29 at Okeeheele Park in West Palm Beach where you can learn about lighting and how to save on cost of lighting. Chair SvengnM introduced Barbara James, Head of the Sea Turtle Program and Permit Holder and Susie Hiles, Sea Turtle Liaison for Highland Beach and former member of the Beaches and Shores Advisory Board. Barbara James stated that it is a great opportunity to be on this beach and hopes everyone will respect the turtle nesting season. She asked "lights out" and no flashlights on the beach. Flash photography may spook the turtle and, there is a possibility they may not lay their eggs or close their nest properly. Member Zelniker — The dredging in Delray destroyed our Coral Reefs here in Highland Beach and now they are going to be dredging for Boca. How is this going to affect the natural habitat of the other animals as well? Dr. Rusenko — Regarding the dredging, there is a lot of concern about sea turtles and the affect on them, and less emphasis on critters that live in the sand and corals. It is up to the public to report any damage they see to the DER These projects are actually run by the Army Corp of Engineers. Member Zelniker also had some concerns about the manatees in the Intracoastal. Dr. Rusenko stated that the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission can be called and they will send out a law enforcement officer to check on the situation. Barbara James stated that there needs to be cooperation on the beach regarding the beach chairs. The turtles can get stuck in these chairs, so they should be taken off the Beaches & Shores Advisory Board March 19, 2014 Paste 3 of 4 beach at night. If any of the condominiums or homeowners have chairs on the beach, they should be stacked at night 10 to 15 feet apart. Any other objects such as volley ball nets or tables should also be removed. She also emphasized that people should not go out searching for turtles at night time. It is against Federal Law to harass a turtle since they are an endangered species. Gumbo Limbo has certain nights where they go out to see a turtle come to shore and nest. They have certified people who will show you the proper way to be around a turtle. It is very informative and anyone can sign up for this adventure. Beverly Knight former member of the Beaches & Shores Advisory Board stated that Highland Beach is a bird sanctuary and has been since 1972. Barbara James mentioned that balloons are also a problem. They should not be released on the beach but deflated when no longer needed. Dr. Rusenko indicated that there is a State Ordinance which prohibits the release of more than nine balloons anywhere in the State. Member Jiovanazzo asked what effect the fireworks on the Fourth of July have on the turtle situation. Dr. Rusenko stated that the debris left over from the fireworks is a hazard for turtles to eat, because it has toxins in it and the light could cause disorientation for the hatchlings. He does not recommend fireworks on the beach at night. 5. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: e January 14, 2014- Special Meeting MOTION: Member Jiovanazzo moved to approve the January 14, 2014 Special Meeting Minutes; seconded by Member Andrews Motion passed with all in favor. 6. OLD BUSINESS There was no old business 7. NEW BUSINESS There was no new business. 8. ADJOURNMENT: Chair Svenstrun called for a motion to adjourn at 10:33 a.m. Beaches & Shores Advisory Board March 19, 2014 Paae 4 of 4 MOTION: Member Jiovanazzo moved to adjourn the meeting at 10:33 a.m. Member Zelniker seconded the motion. Motion passed with all in favor. APPROVED: Rosalind Sve h � Ex Ira Oaklander, Vice Chair Lin a Al rtson, Mem er Elizabe Andrews, ember Rl16 a Zelniker, mber J ames Jiovan , Mepaber / ATTESTED: Elyse Isa, Membef,.. , " 4 j : Rosalie DeMartino Administrative Assistant Date: