12/06/2024
Conservation Alliance of St. Lucie County
Celebrating 52 Years of Advocacy
Mark Your Calendar: Sunday, Dec. 15
PLEASE ATTEND THIS RALLY to
STOP THE FDEP DREDGING ON THE INDIAN RIVER!
SAVE THE MANATEES. SAVE THE SEAGRASS.
SAVE THE BIRDS AND ENDANGERED FISH.
SAVE OUR 1991 “IN PERPETUITY” RIVERWATCH CONSERVATION EASEMENT PRESERVE.
Join the Conservation Alliance of Saint Lucie Co. and Hutchinson Island Preservation Initiative:
What: SAVE OUR SANCTUARY RALLY
Where: NE Side of Jensen Beach Causeway
3472 NE Causeway Blvd., Jensen Beach
When: Sunday, December 15, 2024, 1-4 PM
We will supply signs, or you can bring your own
Click here for a GoogleMap of the rally location.
Parking info to come in our next notice.
Stay informed and learn more on the
"Stop the Dredging Riverwatch Conservation Easement" website
http://WWW.RIVERWATCHCE.COM
*** Background information below ***
A 12.90-acre FDEP Conservation Easement and manatee birthing area on the Indian River Aquatic Preserve is under attack!
The RiverWatch FDEP (Florida Dept of Environmental Protection) Conservation Easement was deeded in St Lucie County, on the St Lucie/Martin County line near Jensen Beach, in 1991 as a result of the illegal dredging of mangrove wetlands. The Owner/ Developer at that time signed over “in perpetuity” his rights to this 12.9 acre mangrove forest as mitigation for the damages and was in turn awarded by the FDEP the permits to dredge and fill adjacent protected wetlands to build homes on what is now part of the Riverwatch community. The FDEP agreed to protect and enforce “in perpetuity” the deeded restrictions on dredging, removal/destruction of native vegetation and gasoline-engine-powered vessels. This Conservation Easement is a beautiful parcel of submerged wetlands, sea grass and native vegetation which, due to its pristine nature, is literally teeming with birds and marine life, including a manatee population that frequents the area to give birth and the endangered sawfish who inhabit this protective environment. The FDEP deed calls for restrictions “in perpetuity” on dredging, native vegetation removal and gasoline-engine-powered vessels. BUT a pending dredging permit, if approved, will allow a massive dumpster to be dragged through mangroves and sensitive vegetation to the dredge site, which is directly adjacent to protected seagrass beds causing extreme damage. Toxic dredged material would be released back into the conservation easement causing further irreparable damage to the Indian River Lagoon.
There are currently two permits submitted by the Riverwatch Community HOA and pending for FDEP approval: FDEP Permit Ap 0173825-005-EI to allow a deepwater dredge of 19,000 ft. of the Riverwatch CE, and FDEP Permit #0433560-001-EE to allow gasoline powered vessels on the CE. The permit to dredge is in a very sensitive and valuable mangrove wetland which is directly connected to the Indian River, and by culverts leading to a 153-acre Martin County mangrove/wetland preserve.
The FDEP is quickly pushing through permit requirements to remove deeded restrictions “in perpetuity” on dredging and the use of gasoline-engine-powered vessels (currently only electric motors are allowed through the CE) on this significant environmental resource. Why doesn’t the FDEP follow its own rules and legally binding signed documents to protect this valuable resource and its endangered marinelife? These baseless permit applications must be denied.
Please ATTEND THE RALLY and help us protest the dredging and the plan to allow large gasoline-powered vessels in this pristine natural area of importance!
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