Converted
01-20-2006, 08:30 AM
Public Meeting
Acceler8
C-44 Reservoir / STA
February 16, 2006
5:30-6:00 PM Open House
6:00-7:30 PM Meeting
IRCC Chastain Campus
2400 S.E. Salerno Road
Stuart, FL
The project consists of a 3,400 acre 15' deep above ground reservoir with a 6,200 acre STA split into two main cells on either side of the reservoir. Additionally the district will give at least 100 acres to Martin County for a park.
The project time line has land aquisition completed in early 2006, final design approval February 2007 with a construction start date of July 2007 and completion December 2009. Also keep in mind that the district generally wants 2 years for the SAV to become established so we are looking at 2011/2012 as a target for this new marsh to be open for hunting.
It is critical that we get recreation and access issues into the project plans before the dollars are allocated. The reservoir holds potential as an excellent bass fishery (read Stick Marsh). We need them to be thinking about a boat ramp facility that will be designed so that public use can take place over various water stages. Motor access may be limited at very low stages of the reservoir so as not to stir up setiments but on normal to high years the district is supportive of motor boating on the reservoir. One thing that they need to know is if anyone plans to use a facility like this. Part of their planning process trys to determine if the cost of a boat ramp will benefit enough users to fit the CERP guidelines on how recreation money can be spent.
There are other issues where we would like to have input.
The Martin County park would be a nice place to set up the public access to the STA's and Reservoir. The district would like to share parking, toilet facilities, roads etc. We need to lobby and educate the Martin County Government that hunters can and do share these types of projects without "Danger" to the public.
We would like to see a design for the reservoir levee that is "wildlife friendly". The current plans are for roller compacted soil cement. That leaves no litorial zone. We think that their hurricane proof levee could be built then a gradual slope graded toward the water to benefit the criters.
We plan to ask for deeper water "refuges" within the reservoir to try and maintain some habitat for fish and wildlife in low water conditions.
There will be many more similar projects coming down the pike in the future. Let's use this one to try and "educate" the district and county as to how they can spend our tax dollars and get maximum benefit for water quality and recreational quality. The "flame throwers" that bash the district on a daily basis about the St. Lucie Estuary are almost all outdoor recreation types. Providing a playground for them while also improving water quality in the estuary is a win-win-win for all involved.
If you plan to attend these meetings please keep one thing in mind. We have had much better success by standing beside these agencies and patting them on the back to try and have an impact of the direction that they travel. Standing up and ranting and raving about what we are entitled to and threats of law suits have not yielded the results of the velvet glove. :icon_salu
Acceler8
C-44 Reservoir / STA
February 16, 2006
5:30-6:00 PM Open House
6:00-7:30 PM Meeting
IRCC Chastain Campus
2400 S.E. Salerno Road
Stuart, FL
The project consists of a 3,400 acre 15' deep above ground reservoir with a 6,200 acre STA split into two main cells on either side of the reservoir. Additionally the district will give at least 100 acres to Martin County for a park.
The project time line has land aquisition completed in early 2006, final design approval February 2007 with a construction start date of July 2007 and completion December 2009. Also keep in mind that the district generally wants 2 years for the SAV to become established so we are looking at 2011/2012 as a target for this new marsh to be open for hunting.
It is critical that we get recreation and access issues into the project plans before the dollars are allocated. The reservoir holds potential as an excellent bass fishery (read Stick Marsh). We need them to be thinking about a boat ramp facility that will be designed so that public use can take place over various water stages. Motor access may be limited at very low stages of the reservoir so as not to stir up setiments but on normal to high years the district is supportive of motor boating on the reservoir. One thing that they need to know is if anyone plans to use a facility like this. Part of their planning process trys to determine if the cost of a boat ramp will benefit enough users to fit the CERP guidelines on how recreation money can be spent.
There are other issues where we would like to have input.
The Martin County park would be a nice place to set up the public access to the STA's and Reservoir. The district would like to share parking, toilet facilities, roads etc. We need to lobby and educate the Martin County Government that hunters can and do share these types of projects without "Danger" to the public.
We would like to see a design for the reservoir levee that is "wildlife friendly". The current plans are for roller compacted soil cement. That leaves no litorial zone. We think that their hurricane proof levee could be built then a gradual slope graded toward the water to benefit the criters.
We plan to ask for deeper water "refuges" within the reservoir to try and maintain some habitat for fish and wildlife in low water conditions.
There will be many more similar projects coming down the pike in the future. Let's use this one to try and "educate" the district and county as to how they can spend our tax dollars and get maximum benefit for water quality and recreational quality. The "flame throwers" that bash the district on a daily basis about the St. Lucie Estuary are almost all outdoor recreation types. Providing a playground for them while also improving water quality in the estuary is a win-win-win for all involved.
If you plan to attend these meetings please keep one thing in mind. We have had much better success by standing beside these agencies and patting them on the back to try and have an impact of the direction that they travel. Standing up and ranting and raving about what we are entitled to and threats of law suits have not yielded the results of the velvet glove. :icon_salu