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Minutes
4/12/02 ADOPTED
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Myakka
River Management Coordinating Council The meeting was called to order by Chair, Jono Miller, at 9:30 AM. Jono introduced himself and briefly explained the format of the meeting. Attendees introduced themselves. Sarasota County Update – Laura DiGruttolo Laura reported on the Water Navigation Control Authority (WNCA) and their permitting activities on the river. WNCA currently has permit applications under review for 12 properties in Myakka River Trails – 11 single family dock constructions and one community boat ramp facility. There are a variety of issues being dealt with on these applications. The community boat ramp permit will require a public hearing before the Board of County Commissioners. They do not have a public hearing scheduled at this time. There are some issues that are being looked at before the WNCA can make a recommendation to the BCC on the application. Chris Becker stated that the community boat ramp is outside the jurisdiction of the Wild and Scenic River, but he will provide comment to Sarasota County. He stated the proposed boat ramp was on a canal. Dan Yoder requested that the council be notified if a public hearing was scheduled before the next council meeting. Myakka River Planning Advisory Council (MRPAC) – Laura reported that MRPAC has been reviewing several of the County Codes to implement the County’s Myakka River Protection Plan. Their next meeting is scheduled for Monday, April 16th. They have reviewed and provided comments on the County’s Earth Moving and Tree Protection Codes. Those comments have not been carried forward to the BCC for review at this time. Jono explained that MRPAC had recently been reviewing setbacks in development of the protection zones. The county has been looking at what effects various setbacks might have on individual lots. Sarasota 2050 Update - Laura reported briefly on Sarasota County’s 2050 planning effort. The plan has been forwarded to the State of Florida Department of Community Affairs (DCA). A report is expected from the DCA within the first couple of weeks of May. There are two BCC workshops scheduled for June 11 and 25. They have tentatively scheduled initial public hearings for the adoption phase for July 17 and 19. Chris announced that Sarasota County was holding an initial workshop on proposed ordinance revisions to the Land Application of Wastewater Residuals or Biosolids. This will be held on Thursday, April 18th. Myakka Conservancy – Ernie Estevez - Ernie reported on the project they have been working on, acquiring land adjacent to Myakka River State Park. In cooperation with the Great Outdoors Conservancy, the Myakka Conservancy received a grant to acquire a riverfront property. The grant is specifically for the conservation of wetlands. Recently, the Great Outdoors Conservancy has talked to the Florida Park Service about selling the land as an addition to the park. Ernie expressed disappointment that the Myakka Conservancy’s intent to manage the property would-not-be-met if it were sold to the park. Sarasota County Environmentally Sensitive Lands Program Update – Robert Kluson- Robert displayed a map showing: lands purchased, properties under contract, and priority sites for acquisition, under the E.S. lands program. He reported that Warm Mineral Springs Creek was recently added as a priority, by the Board of County Commissioners, in an attempt to protect the manatees that utilize the creek. At the present there are 17 parcels that were purchased for a total of 4,080 acres. Along the Myakka River corridor there are 3700 acres that have been purchased. There are eight parcels with contracts pending for another 3000 acres. There was more discussion from the council members on this program. Southwest Florida Water Management District – Dianne McCommons-Beck – Dianne reported on the Minimum Flows and Levels (MFLs). She stated there is a “Request for Proposals” out, to contract the establishment of transects for the Myakka and Braden River, so data can be collected to establish MFLs on those rivers. Responses from the consultants are due April 18th then there will be a one-month evaluation period to determine who will be awarded the contract. Dianne also reported on the status of Upper Myakka basin projects. The third update presented was on the Resource Evaluation for the Myakka River addition (Tatum Sawgrass). The resource evaluation has been completed and given to senior staff for review. Senior staff determined that the format of the evaluation needed to be changed. Once complete, it will go to the board. There were more questions and discussion on these subjects by the council
members. There were questions and discussion on this subject by the council members. Friends of the Myakka Update – Dr. Mary Jelks – Dr. Jelks announced there would be a cleanup day on May 11. She also stated that exotic removal was scheduled for April 13th. A group of 4-H members cleaned the bridge north of the park, and found two newspaper boxes in the river under the bridge. They picked-up eight large garbage bags of litter. Leah Wilcox is the new president The Friends of the Myakka. There was a question about the repairs to structures that received damage from Tropical Storm Gabrielle. Dr. Jelks advised that it is still under consideration by FEMA. West Indian Manatee Update – Mike Massieu – Mike gave the update for Lucy Keith, who was unable to attend the meeting. The Bureau of Protected Species (BPS) held town hall meetings in late February for areas where additional manatee protection zones are proposed. One of these areas is Salt Creek (Warm Mineral Springs Creek), upstream of the US 41 Bridge, where they are looking at creating a “No Boat Zone” from November through March. The turnout for the meeting was low, but the residents that did attend were in favor of the new protection zone. Mike also reported on the West Indian manatee captures on Salt Creek this year. BPS captured three known animals that had been tagged in the past, but lost their tags over a period of time. One of these animals had been captured and implanted with a microchip back in 1990. She is about 23 river miles up the river at the present time. The count on the river this season was 45 officially, but there had been as many as 54 observed unofficially. There were questions and discussion on this subject by the council members. Florida Park Patrol Update – Officer Rachel Shirley – Officer Shirley reported on park patrol activity on the river. In the last four months 14 citations/warnings have been issued on the Myakka. Of those, 11 were written by the Park Patrol, the other two by Fish and Wildlife Officers. The park patrol has noticed an increase in boating activity since March. There were 10 violations issued in March, making it their busiest month. There were questions and discussion on this subject by the council members. Myakka State Forest Update – Dwayne Weiss – Dwayne reported on the status of the hydrological restoration project that is in the permitting process with the Water Management District. This project will restore approximately 18 acres of wetlands (outside the Myakka River watershed). DOF has been doing a lot of prescribed burning this year, including an area near the confluence of the Myakka and Myakkahatchee Creek which hasn’t been burned in a long time. They have received $100,000 grant from DEP for exotic plant eradication. This is going to fund a large project near East River Road. DOF has been cooperating with Fish and Wildlife Commission and USFWS on a Florida scrub-jay project on the SW corner of the Myakka State Forest. There are three families living in that area. They have received a lot of pressure recently from ATV and Off-road vehicle users to allow their use in the forest. The response from DOF has been that the use of these vehicles in the forest is not in accord with the management plan. There were questions and discussion on these subjects by the council members. Charlotte Harbor NEP Update – Maran Hilgendorf – Maran introduced CHNEP’s new director, Lisa Beever. She thanked Jean Ost for her continued involvement with the Citizen Advisory Committee. She gave a report on the three-day summit held in February. It was very successful. She thanked Mote Marine Laboratory and Charlotte Harbor Environmental Center for their sponsorship of the event. In the future, they are planning to separate the summit into the technical and public aspects, holding them at separate times. She showed the council the poster depicting the flood that occurred at Myakka River State Park after Tropical Storm Gabrielle, by Clyde Butcher. Friends of the Myakka may sell framed posters. She reported there would be a workshop on clay settling ponds and their value as wetlands. She also reported on grant opportunities. There were questions and discussions on these subjects by the council members. FDOT Update – Gwen Pipkin – Gwen reported on the maintenance situation of the bridges. She provided the council with a contact number for Sarasota maintenance and possible exotic removal under and around the bridges on the river. She also explained that she had spoken with DOT’s Sarasota Maintenance staff concerning the problem with the mowing at the rest area on River Road and why it could have a negative impact on the river. She also stated that FDOT doesn’t deal with boat launching from any public right-of-way. She reported that the rocks at I-75 were part of a scour control project. She also reported that there was no current plan for erosion control at the bridges. She reported on the evacuation route. An environmental impact study is being done now. FDOT is overseeing the project, but the county is doing the work. They are looking at either upgrading River Road or a new parallel road. The next stage will be a public hearing for which no date has been set. There were some questions and discussion on these subjects by the council members. Lunch – (11:35 – 12:40) The afternoon session of the meeting was called to order. The roll was taken and it was determined that there was a quorum present. A motion was made by Jean Ost to accept the minutes from the last meeting. Terry Green seconded this motion. There was discussion concerning the attendance listed on the minutes. Council members were encouraged to sign in on the sheet provided to ensure they would be included in the minutes. Dianne McCommons-Beck requested clarification on the MFL dates in the minutes. The vote on the adoption of the minutes was unanimous. Update on Regional Water Supply Plan – Sam Stone – Sam reported that the Peace River Water Authority is in the final stages of the study of the facility in Desoto County. As a part of that project, in order to obtain Federal funding, an environmental impact study had to the done. The draft report of this study is scheduled to be available for public comment in the next sixty days. Sam will notify Chris when it becomes available. Chairperson/Vice-chairperson Activity Report – Jean Ost and Jono Miller Jono reported on his activities on MRPAC and the E.S. Lands Oversight Committee. He has also been speaking for the League of Women Voters as well as other groups. He has also been working on the Scope of Services for the Myakka Hydrologic Study. There were questions and discussion by the council members.
Chris provided copies of the bylaws with the changes noted to the council members. The only thing that was changed without the council’s vote was a change in the wording to reflect that the election of officers would be held during the first meeting of the year. There were some questions concerning the changes of the council memberships. A motion was made by Suzanne Cooper to accept the changes. Chuck Downs seconded the motion. The motion was carried unanimously. Election of Officers – Jean Ost Nominations for Chairperson: A motion was by Mary Jelks to nominate Jono Miller as chairperson. Moran Hilgendorf seconded it. Without discussion, the motion was carried unanimously. Nominations for Vice-Chairperson: A motion was made by Marlene Guffey to nominate Jean Ost as Vice-Chair. Suzanne Cooper seconded the motion. Without further discussions, the motion was carried unanimously. Sarasota County Floodplain Study – Steve Suau – Steve reported on the status of the floodplain study. He reported that the sub-basin characteristics have been inventoried, and the construction of a model has started. Currently, the model is built to US 41 from the Charlotte County line. Steve indicated that in a couple of weeks they should have the model finished up to SR 72. Steve announced that he will be going to work for the county as the Stormwater Director and is also working with the county initiative known as an Integrated Water Resource Program. There were questions and discussion on the subject by the council members. Scope of Services for the Myakka River Study – Jono Miller – Jono distributed copies of the research proposal to the council members. Jono provided an overview of the proposal with Ernie Estevez presenting the scope of work overview. There were questions and discussion on this subject by council members. It was noted that input from Manatee County would be very helpful on this project. There were questions concerning project management, updates, and the possibility of a peer review. A motion was made by Ernie Estevez to accept Sarasota County’s offer to review the Scope of Services and improve the language, the motion also included wording to authorize the Chair to pursue funding for the project. Jean Ost seconded the motion. There was discussion on the motion by the council members. The motion was carried unanimously. Myakka River Biologist Report – Chris Becker – Chris reported on his observations and activities for the last several months on the river. He reported that in December the river had very low water levels and there were lots of wading birds and waterfowl. Since December there have been several instances of poaching on the river, with dead animals found in the river. Nesting activity was up for wood storks, and other wading birds, on the rookery island. There were numerous boat dock permit applications, with most for the Myakka Trails area. He also reported that he took the county planners, who are working on the Myakka Protection Ordinance and MRPAC, on a boat tour of the river, to acquaint them with various aspects of the river area and protection zone. He is updating the Wild and Scenic River brochure to include color pictures. He asked for any suggestions from the council. There has been some wetland vegetation removal observed and several letters sent out requesting mitigation plans for this violation. There were questions and discussion on these subjects by council members. Chris reported next on the US EPA’s proposed Myakka River Total Maximum Daily Loads. He stated that April 30th was the last day for public comment on the proposed TMDLs. There were questions and discussion on these subjects by the council members. Dr. Mary Jelks made a motion that the council should send a letter to EPA voicing its endorsement of the recommendations of the Charlotte Harbor National Estuary Program to EPA. Tom Moralee seconded the motion. The council discussed the motion. It was decided that Jono Miller, Dianne McCommons-Beck and Suzanne Cooper would collaborate on this issue. The motion passed unanimously. Jean Ost made a motion that a letter be sent from the council to EPA and ECOSWF requesting an extension on the time frame for determining the TMDLs for the Myakka River. The motion was seconded. The council discussed the motion. With Dianne McCommons-Beck abstaining, the motion was carried. There was discussion among the council members concerning the re-zoning request for the tract of land southwest of River Road and I-75. Marlene Guffey made a motion that the council send a letter to the Sarasota County Planning Commission requesting that they not approve a re-zoning of this area to condos &/or apartments, which would allow increase in the density. Phil Segerstrom seconded the motion. The council discussed this issue and motion. With Dianne McCommons-Beck, Bill Smith, and Laura DiGruttolo abstaining, the motion was passed. Tom Moralee reported to the council concerning a gasoline spill that occurred at his campground. The council discussed the possibility of developing a website for the council’s news and updates. There was some discussion concerning the possibility of a private club being developed on the Henry Ranch as close to the Myakka River as the law allows. Jono informed the council of a Comprehensive Watershed Management (CWM) meeting that was held and that he attended. He suggested that it might be beneficial to hold a joint meeting between the MRMCC and the CWM. There was discussion on this subject by the council members. It was decided to let Chris and Dianne work on scheduling joint meetings. SWFRPC will be reviewing the Sarasota County’s 2050 on April 18th. It was decided that the council’s next meeting would be set for August 23, 2002. Terry Green made a motion that the meeting be adjourned. Jean Ost seconded the motion. The motion was carried unanimously.
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For
information or questions concerning the MRMCC contact:
Natalie Balcer Environmental
Specialist II
Myakka Wild and Scenic River Management Program
1843 South Tamiami Trail
Osprey, FL 34229
(941)486-2052
Fax (941)483-5941
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the Charlotte Harbor National
Estuary Program
on behalf of the Myakka River Coordinating Management Council
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This site was last edited on
October 8, 2009