|
Rivers Coalition
November 2024 Newsletter |
|
|
Thursday, November 21, 2024
11:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. |
|
Stuart City Hall Chambers
121 SW Flagler Ave, Stuart, FL |
|
| This meeting is in person and via Zoom, and is open to the public, with plenty of free parking available. Email info@riverscoalition.org for Zoom link. |
|
SHOULD THE CITY OF STUART HIRE AN ENVIRONMENTAL ATTORNEY?
Chris Collins, Stuart City Commissioner |
|
Stuart City Commissioner Chris Collins will speak at the next Rivers Coalition meeting on a proposal for the city to hire an environmental attorney. Hiring an attorney would allow the city to take legal action when impacted by Lake Okeechobee discharges or harmful algal blooms. The Stuart City Commission is set to vote on the measure at its meeting in December.
In addition, newly elected local government officials in Martin County have been asked to speak briefly about their position on clean-water issues that affect our region. |
|
|
Business Matters:
- Call to Order and Chairman’s Comments: Charles Grande, Vice President
- Business matters and membership roll call
Presentation:
SHOULD THE CITY OF STUART HIRE AN ENVIRONMENTAL ATTORNEY?
Chris Collins, Stuart City Commissioner
Government & Agency Progress Reports:
- Martin County: John Maehl
- City of Stuart/LOSOM: TBD
- South Florida Water Management District: TBD
- State and Federal Agencies: TBD
- Lake Okeechobee Update: Dr. Paul Gray
- State and Federal Legislation: Gil Smart
Coalition Reports:
- Rivers Coalition Committee Updates:
- River Kidz: Casey Kniffin, Kelli Doré
- Speakers Bureau: Todd Weissing
- Local Issues & Estuary Water Quality: Todd Thurlow
- Seagrass Update: Todd Thurlow
- Riverkeeper Update: Jim Moir (Indian River)
- Member Comments and Announcements
- Adjourn
|
|
Rivers Coalition Meeting October 2024
|
|
Preserving Martin County Land
|
|
| Merritt Matheson, Co-Chair of Martin County Forever and board member of Rivers Coalition and Indian Riverkeeper, spoke about the Martin County ballot initiative, which proposed a half-cent sales tax. The proceeds will be used to purchase lands to protect water quality and natural and wildlife habitats in Martin County. |
|
USACE Major Cory Bell
--Photos courtesy of Darrell Brand |
|
Martin County Voted YES to Buy the Land
|
|
Martin County Forever Referendum Passed
|
|
Jim Harter, representing the Rivers Coalition Speakers Bureau, spoke at a meeting of the Philanthropic Education Organization (PEO) on Monday, November 4th. PEO is an organization, dating back to 1869, whose members provide scholarships to women worldwide. The Rivers Coalition was pleased to be invited to speak at their meeting and to discuss the important topics related to the health of the St. Lucie River and the Indian River Lagoon.
If you would like to have a speaker for an upcoming meeting, please contact Todd Weissing at todd.weissing@gmail.com, 772-223-6743 or visit riverscoalition.org and click “Request a Speaker." |
|
Environmental Studies Center Fall Open House
|
|
| River Kidz's 13-year members Zoë, Asher, Sabrina, and one of the most talented face painters Barbara, were excited to welcome new members to our River Kidz family! Together we're educating our youth and some new parents in our area on how to protect and care for our rivers, parks, and all the beautiful natural spaces around us. Many River Kidz expressed their creativity as they drew and wrote about why we need to Save our Rivers and State Parks. They discovered the amazing wildlife, plants, and ecosystems that make our environment so special. We're excited to have more friends joining us in our mission to support and protect our environment, and we can't wait to see all the wonderful things we’ll accomplish together! |
|
River Kidz Endorses the Youth Climate Leadership Act
|
|
Congressman Maxwell Alejandro Frost introduced a new bill in the House of Representatives, the Youth Climate Leadership Act, to establish Youth Advisory Councils made up of young people between the ages of 16 and 29 for the purpose of providing recommendations regarding environmental issues as they relate to youth. River Kidz is excited to endorse this bill.
“The River Kidz are youth advocates who are part of the Rivers Coalition and are dedicated to championing a safe, healthy, and ecologically balanced St. Lucie River Estuary and Indian River Lagoon. We proudly endorse the Youth Climate Leadership Act and recognize the critical importance of young voices in shaping environmental policy, ensuring a healthy environment for all to thrive. We thank Representative Frost for introducing this bill and look forward to seeing River Kidz and other passionate young leaders serve on these newly established Youth Advisory Councils,” said Casey Darling Kniffin and Kelli Doré, River Kidz Co-Leads. |
|
Rivers Coalition Meeting Minutes
|
|
October 24, 2024 Summary of Comments
|
|
Mark Perry called the meeting to order at 11:03 am. There were 45 attendees in person, 16 attendees on ZOOM call.
Minutes taken by Miki Blumenthal, Administrative Assistant
Opening Comments: Mark Perry welcomed everyone and thanked attendees representing the City of Stuart and Martin County.
Presentation: “Preserving Martin County Land”
Merritt Matheson, Co-Chair of Martin County Forever and board member of Rivers Coalition and Indian Riverkeeper, spoke about the Martin County ballot initiative, which proposed a half-cent sales tax. The proceeds will be used to purchase lands to protect water quality and natural and wildlife habitats in Martin County.
A Q&A session followed the presentation.
The above presentation in its entirety can be seen at www.riverscoalition.org.
Government & Agency Reports:
Martin County: John Maehl gave an update on the propagation of lucinid clams. He also addressed the concept of litigating solutions for stopping discharges.
City of Stuart: Eula Clarke stated the City of Stuart would give updates when available.
SFWMD: Lawrence Glenn, Director of SFWMD Water Resources Division, gave a presentation on water and ecological conditions in the aftermath of Hurricanes Helene and Milton.
USACE: Maj. Cory Bell mentioned recent monetary awards for the Indian River Lagoon north reservoir and also EAA A-2. Lake releases will begin on Saturday, 10/26/24 to the Caloosahatchee.
Lake O Update: Paul Gray stated that the lake recovery strategy would occur this year due to the high lake level. He discussed strategies to deal with the marsh.
State and Federal Legislation: Gil Smart announced that the Florida legislative session would begin on 3/4/25 and continue through 5/2/25.
Eve Samples and Casey Kniffin discussed Amendment 2 and recommended a “no” vote, explaining their reasons why.
Coalition Reports:
River Kidz: Casey Kniffin stated the River Kidz had helped with beach cleanup after Hurricane Milton and are planning on attending the open house at the Environmental Studies Center this Saturday, Oct. 26th.
Speakers Bureau: Todd Weissing reminded the attendees that speakers can be requested at riverscoalition.org.
Water Quality Report: Mark Perry stated the water quality in the local estuaries is bad, mostly due to the local runoffs due to heavy rains.
No further comments. The meeting had to be cut short due to another event scheduled in the room.
The meeting was adjourned at 12:18 p.m. |
|
- November 21, 2024 - Thursday
- December 2024- no meeting
|
All Meetings are at 11:00 a.m.
Stuart City Hall Chambers
121 SW Flagler Ave, Stuart, FL |
|
 |
- Mark Perry, President
- Charles Grande, Vice President
- Jim Moir, Secretary
- Darrell Brand, Treasurer
- Eve Samples, Director
- Todd Thurlow, Director
- Todd Weissing, Director
- Gil Smart, Director
- Merritt Matheson, Director
- Casey Kniffin, Director
|
PO Box 2627
Stuart, FL 34995
772-225-6849 |
|
Rivers Coalition Organizational Members
|
|
| 1000 Friends of Florida, 27-80 Paddlers, American Association of University Women, Arthur R. Marshall Foundation, Atlantic Point Yacht Club & Marina of Stuart, Audubon Florida, Audubon of Martin County, Ballantrae Anglers Club, Ballantrae Yacht Club, Beau Rivage HOA, Business Development Board of Martin County, Citizens for Clean Water, Computer Network Services, Conservation Alliance of St. Lucie Co. Inc, Cypress Lake HOA, Dolphin Ecology Project, Driftwood Motel of Jensen Beach. Economic Council of Martin County, Florida Oceanographic Society, Florida Sportsman, Florida Wildlife Federation, Fort Pierce Yacht Club, Four Rivers Property Association, Four Winds Condo Association, Friends of The Everglades, Friends of Harbor Branch - FAU, Guardians of Martin County, Harborage Yacht Condominiums, Harbour Ridge Yacht Club, Hutchinson Island Preservation Initiative, Humanists of the Treasure Coast, Indian Riverkeeper, Indian River Plantation POA, Jensen Beach Chamber of Commerce, Joe's Point HOA, Keep Martin Beautiful, Lake Okeechobee Restoration Initiative, Lake Worth Waterkeeper, Leadership Martin, League of Women Voters of Martin Co., League of Women’s Voters of SLC Co., Lighthouse Point Association Inc., Locks Landing HOA, Marine Cleanup Initiative Inc., Marine Industries Assoc. of Treasure Coast, Marine Resources Council, Martin County Anglers, Martin County Chapter of the Florida Native Plant Society, Martin County Conservation Alliance, Martin County Democratic Environmental Caucus, Martin County Farm Bureau, Martin County Future Group, Martin County Hotel & Motel Association,Miramar POA, Nettles Island Community Action Assoc., North River Shores Prop. Assoc., Ocean Research and Conservation Association, Palm City Civic Assn, Palm Cove Yacht Club, Palm Cove HOA, Pierpoint Condominium Assoc., Port Salerno Commercial Fishing Dock Assoc., Port Sewall Harbor & Tennis Club Owners Ass, Port Sewall Property Owners Assoc., Port St Lucie Anglers, President’s Council of Hutchinson Island, Realtor Association of Martin County, Rio Civic Club, River Club Dock Owners Association Inc., River Kidz, River Vista HOA, River Warriors, Royal Harbor Homeowners Assn, Sandhill Cove Retirement Living, Sailfish Point POA, Sailfish Point Yacht Club, Savanna Fishing Club, Save the Manatee Club, Seagate Harbor Homeowners Assoc., Sierra Club-:Loxahatchee Group, Snug Harbor Yacht Club, St. Lucie Audubon Society, St. Lucie River Yacht Club, St. Lucie Sailing Club, St. Lucie Settlement Inc., Stuart Corinthian Yacht Club, Stuart Heritage, Stuart Rod & Reel Club, Stuart/Martin County Chamber, Surfrider Foundation, Teamsters Local 769, The Garden Club of Stuart Inc, The Estuary at North River Shores, The Junior League of Martin County, Treasure Coast Buddhist Cooperative, Treasure Coast Builders Association, Treasure Coast Golf Course Superintendents Association, Treasure Coast Rowing Club, Treasure Coast Unitarian Universalist Church, US Sailing Center of Martin County, Venture Three Community, VoteWater, Windjammer Condo Association |
|
Support and
MAKE A DIFFERENCE |
|
|
|
|
