STATE COMPLETES $26 MILLION INVESTMENT TO CONSERVE 16,200 ACRES IN 5 PROJECTS

Apalachicola River at Torreya State Park

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is celebrating the state’s acquisition on March 6, 2025, of 16,200 acres of conservation lands within the Avalon, Etoniah/Cross Florida Greenway, Longleaf Pine Ecosystem, Apalachicola River and Lake Wales Ridge Ecosystem Florida Forever projects. 

This $26 million investment expands the Florida Wildlife Corridor, a designated network of connected lands that creates critical linkages for wildlife habitat, by 13,080 acres.

“Each of these unique Florida Forever projects and land acquisitions safeguard native plant and animal species, conserve our water resources and protect our state’s natural heritage,” said DEP Secretary Shawn Hamilton. “I am thankful to Governor Ron DeSantis and the Florida Legislature for giving us the tools to enable these types of successes.” 

HELP STOP APPROVAL OF PRIVATE P1 AUTO CLUB

Help us stop the approval of the private club, P1 Motor Club. St Lucie County commission meeting is Nov. 7th, 6pm at 2300 Virginia Ave, Ft. Pierce.

For those who can’t attend, please go to www.stlucieco.gov/government/contact-us/contact-your-commissioners, or call the assistant attorney Katherine Barbieri to leave a message at 772-971-4544. The County’s email and regular phone lines below are not working.

Chris Dzadovsky dzadovskyc@stlucieco.org 772-462-1410

Larry Leet leetl@stlucieco.org 772-462-1412

Linda Bartz bartzl@stlucieco.org 772-462-1406

Jamie Fowler walkerca@stlucieco.org 772-462-1451

Cathy Townsend townsendc@stlucieco.org 772-462-1408

Please note that this club will have two race tracks and an air field. St Lucie County wants to approve the change of this property from AG-5 to SD (special district) to gain from the property taxes. The South Florida Water Management District plans to build abutting and just to the north, west and south of this property a Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP) project known as C-23/C-24 South Reservoir.

Performance tracks like the ones proposed by this project amendment have a high carbon footprint and high energy consumption. Its pollution can affect the reservoir, which is a part of the Indian River Lagoon-South (IRL-S) suite of projects.

St Lucie County soil survey says:

  • Water control measures are needed to overcome excessive wetness.

  • Sealing or lining with impervious soil material is needed for sewage lagoon areas.

  • Potential is low for septic tank absorption fields, playgrounds, trench type sanitary landfills, and shallow excavations.

Ten Mile Creek – Indian River Lagoon South

A critical component of CERP includes the C23/C24 STA and Reservoir system. This new system will include a northern diversion canal, which will provide a resource for excess stormwater to be discharged to the Ten Mile Creek, which is one of St. Lucie County’s main drainage conveyances that runs straight down the middle of the county, impacting many larger residential communities, and eventually draining to the St. Lucie River and Estuary.

Remind the St. Lucie County commissioners that they are supposed to support coordination with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, South Florida Water Management District, US Army Corp of Engineers, and the public to address the critical system impact of Ten Mile Creek and its influence on drainage and water quality for County residents.

If the County allows this project, it will be going against its 2024 St. Lucie County Guiding Principles, which says St. Lucie County supports key investments into Environmental and Natural Resources that protect Florida’s fragile environment, strengthens our resilience against the impacts of climate change, addresses the stresses and impacts of continued growth on our Lagoon, lakes, rivers, streams, beaches, and ocean. This guiding principle includes water and environmental projects critical to the county and region, comprehensive Everglades restoration and investments into the health and sustainability of the Indian River Lagoon.

Conservation Policy 6.1.1.5 - The County shall continue to review implementable measures that would effectively reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Conservation Policy 6.1.1.2 - St. Lucie County shall facilitate development that maximizes energy efficiency and sustainability.

See: https://floridadep.gov/water/source-drinking-water/content/hazardous-materialspetroleum-spills-swo-incidents

Hazardous-materials spills in St Lucie County shows 155.

— From Diane Goldberg

FIGHT FOR CLEAN WATER IN FLORIDA

Members who are registered Florida voters are urged to sign and share a petition to make Florida’s Right to Clean Water a constitutional ballot initiative. This will allow us to hold our state agencies accountable for harm or threatened harm to Florida's waters. This will result in state agencies taking preventative pollution measures.

GET THE PETITION

SEE FULL TEXT OF PETITION

Mail petition to 13300 South Cleveland Avenue, Suite 56, Fort Myers, FL 33907 or give it to Diane Goldberg at the next meeting.

HELP CONSERVE BEACH NESTING BIRDS

Least Tern chick by Carol Rizkalla/FWC.

Least Tern chick by Carol Rizkalla/FWC.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is reminding the public that it’s waterbird nesting season. Many Floridians and guests are returning to the state’s beaches to celebrate Memorial Day weekend but this is also a critical time for Florida’s vulnerable wading birds, shorebird and seabird populations. By respectfully sharing our beaches and waterways with these birds, people can help ensure their survival.

Shorebirds and seabirds, such as snowy plovers and black skimmers, build shallow nests on the ground. Their eggs and chicks are well camouflaged and can easily be missed and even stepped on. Wading birds, such as herons, egrets and pelicans, are also nesting now. They typically nest in mangroves and on tree islands around the state. When people come too close to their nests, they can cause birds to abandon their nesting sites, leaving eggs and chicks vulnerable.

“Startling birds might not seem like a big deal, but disturbing shorebirds and seabirds can actually be deadly,” said FWC Florida Shorebird Alliance Coordinator, Shea Armstrong. “If a mother bird is forced to leave her nest, her eggs or chicks are left behind where they can be eaten by predators, exposed to the hot sun, or trampled by unsuspecting beachgoers

CLICK FOR GUIDELINES FOR BOATERS AND BEACH GOERS