Hammock Conservation Coalition Minutes, June 2, 2009

President John Byrd opened the meeting at 7:30 PM with Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag and a moment of silence for those protecting our country.

Announcements

A recording secretary is still needed. There will be no July meeting.
We have three vacancies on the HCC Board for someone who might be willing to

eventually become an officer, and we are looking for representation from all neighborhoods on the HCC Steering Committee, which meets between the member meetings.

Treasurer McCleery: HCC balance of $345.90; $1,709.41 in special account Website expense was $100. 

Program: Commissioner Holland introduced Dr. Mark Clark of University of FL, since 2005 director of a Hastings research program studying alternative turf grasses, fuels, etc. Mark reported that algae growth in the Gulf of Mexico caused by fertilizers has created a “dead zone” (Hypoxic zone) and is killing reefs.   Lack of oxygen in the ocean waters is a global problem found also in fresh water bodies (St. Johns River, springs).  Florida Administrative Code prohibits impairment of water.
Tree capacity can interrupt 5-35% of rainfall, so planting and preserving trees is an important method of reducing rainfall runoff.  Soil compaction also reduces the ability to store water and contributes to excess runoff.  Our building method of slab-on-grade requires fill to raise the level of building and parking areas above flood elevations, which buries rich soil under phosphorous-rich fill.  The fill soil is poor and requires lots of fertilizer and water, which contributes to cycle of runoff and pollution as well as wastage of water.  Result is a “moonscape.”
Stormwater ponds are another problem as they collect nitrogen and phosphorous from fertilizer runoff and convey it to the Intracoastal Waterway. 
Development patterns such as “lollipop” streets reduce amount of pavement and resulting runoff.  Other low impact development principles such as cluster development, green roofs, use of cisterns, storing rainwater on individual sites, depressional stormwater storage, curb cuts in landscape islands, and stemwall construction can be utilized to reduce runoff and improve water quality, Development pattern should “detain, retain, and reuse” stormwater.  Stormwater pond design can be improved with aeration, littoral shelf vegetation to filter out pollutants, and minimize nutrient input in landscape. Some algae is a good thing.  Florida Friendly Landscaping requires less chemicals and water.

John Mampe reported on Desalination Plant meetings.  Appears that this committee is committed to proceeding without looking at alternatives such as underground water sources.  Desalination is very expensive and the probable federal carbon tax could raise its costs by 30% or more.  Dick Ryan, who is on the committee, pointed out that they are now looking at the feasibility of land vs. sea-based plants. 

Thad Crowe reported that he is trying to get a meeting of the committee consisting of the County Manager, Commissioner Holland, County Engineer, County Public Works Director, and representatives of the water management districts and other agencies to work on short and long-term solutions to the Marineland Acres flooding problems.  It is likely that the ultimate solution will include emergency pumping of floodwater, which would require a connected swale system along all streets. 

Jim Ulsamer reported on the Ocean Hammock NOPC (Notice of Proposed Change) to the DRI development order.  The proposal is for 1,147 condo/hotel units north and south of 16th Road.  It is likely given the space and unit counts that these would be two 8-story buildings.  These units have been cobbled together using lakes and pieces of undeveloped lands.  This may be “double-dipping.”  The Northeast Regional Council has determined that the action would not constitute a substantial (regional impact) deviation to the development order, but Ocean Hammock Owners maintain there is a severe local impact on 16^th Road Park and many homeowners.   Motion approved unanimously to oppose the NOPC.

Respectfully submitted by joint sub secretaries Thad Crowe and Alma Nemrava.