Those who have followed my blogs for any length of time know that I am an avid environmentalist, and that this is the impetus for this blog in particular.
The Broward County Commission made the decision in June to allow the runway extension to extend into the smooth-billed ani's habitat east of the airport which will also affect the unconfirmed nesting area in John U Lloyd state park. The smooth-bill is rare in Broward County, and I personally don't see any difference between protecting their habitat and that of the Northern Spotted Owl.
Also, east of the airport and in the way of the runway, is a nesting ground for the Florida Burrowing Ground Owl, a protected species. They insist that the owls will be moved to a different area, but I think the owls are there because that is where the wish to be. Their needs are satisfied there, and if they are relocated, they are sure to try to return there and will certainly be in harms way.
Couple this with the fact that Port Everglades is expanding westward virtually to the end of the runway, and the last of the mangroves in the Dania Beach area will be decimated, along with the ecosystem supported there. It's bad enough that the runway expansion will eliminate 15 acres of wetlands, and I think that we need to come together and put a stop to this callous destruction of our environment.
If anyone wants to comment, they can e-mail the FAA at
FLL-EIScomments@landrum-brown.com
Although this has nothing to do with the runway expansion, It is a possible detriment to the environment of broward county, and every fiber of my being shudders to think of the precedent that might be set if this is allowed to pass. Please join with us in asking the Fort Lauderdale City Commission to reject this potential rape of our already diminished wetlands. The only void to be filled by this action is in the developers' wallet.
Friday, October 19, 2007
Action Alert: Time for YOUR Comments!
Public comment needed by Tuesday, October 23!A developer has applied to the Army Corps of Engineers for permission to fill in 8 acres of wetlands directly across the Intracoastal Waterway from Hugh Taylor Birch State Park, in order to create an island for single family housing.
The island would have almost 2,750 feet of seawall, and would destroy almost 6 acres of seagrass and other marine benthic habitat, negatively impacting the endangered Small-toothed Sawfish and West Indian Manatee.
The park recently completed a restoration project that improved water flow and tidal exchange, but construction of an artificial island would increase turbidity, decreasing photosynthesis and suffocating the submerged aquatic vegetation which serves as an essential fish habitat.In addition, an increase in boat traffic, combined with the presence of seawalls on both sides of the Intracoastal Waterway, would hasten the deterioration of the seawalls as boat wakes constantly batter the seawalls and undermine their foundations. The increased wave action would also contribute to an increase in water turbidity.
What can you do about it?The Army Corps of Engineers is accepting public comments on this project through October 23. Please write to Leah Oberlin at the Army Corps of Engineers at Leah.A.Oberlin@saj02.usace.army.mil to express your opinion about the negative impacts of the proposed development. In addition to the Army Corps of Engineers, you may wish to bring this to the attention of the Mayor and Commissioners of the City of Fort Lauderdale and the Broward County Commission, your state and federal congressional officials, Governor Crist, and any others in a position to help.
You can read the official public notice here.
The sample letter below was supplied by Cry of the Water.
SAMPLE LETTER
Dear Ms. Oberlin,Please deny the application for Sunrise Bay SAJ-2007-57.
Initial determination by the Corps is that the proposed action could have substantial adverse impact on Essential Fish Habitat and federally managed fish in the South Atlantic region, yet the Corps is rejecting the need for a EIS (Environmental Impact Statement). If this project is not denied a full EIS should be conducted on this project.
The cumulative loss of habitat in Broward County continues to have a detrimental effect on our county's natural resources.Hugh Taylor Birch State Park contains several native biological communities including sections of mangroves along the Intracoastal Waterway (ICW) providing habitat for several species of herons, other shoreline animals, juvenile breeding grounds for fish species and several endangered and threatened animals and plants.
Construction of an island across from the park could have detrimental affects on this sensitive habitat.Public notice of this project did not include where the fill material to create an island within the bay would come from and if any dredging would take place. Dredging, trucking or bringing in the fill by barge will have different impacts to the surrounding area and was not explained in the notice.The bay area to be filled is part of a tidal system and the loss of the this system will have a cascading affect on local marine fisheries.
Destruction of 8 acres of Seagrass and other benthic habitat is unacceptable.Broward County's uncontrollable growth is putting a strain on all our resources and infrastructure, filling the bays along the ICW for housing will add to the loss of natural resources that we cannot afford to lose.
Fertilizer runoff from homes along the Intracoastal is already affecting our waterways this new source so close to the park will only add to the impacts.I am requesting that a public hearing be held in Broward County.
The reasons for the hearing are that:
1) this project will affect a large number of people in adjacent communities that have a right to be heard on this issue.
2) This project may affect navigation on the ICW.
3) As we reach build out in Broward County this project will encourage builders to fill in our wetlands and waterways for additional building sites.
4) Project will affect sovereign submerged land and marine and Essential Fish Habitat.
Thank you,
Name & Address
Posted by Jonathan Estrin at: http://www.browardaudubon.blogspot.com/ Feel free to visit Jonathan and Heidi's blog and look around. There is much of interest there, and they have links to other sites that are informative as well as enjoyable.
Feel free to respond to this posting, or email me at grantcampbel_1@yahoo.com
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