program for may 2017 program for june 2017 · where: sarasota garden club, 1131 blvd. of the arts...
TRANSCRIPT
Page 1 wwwsierracluborgfloridamanateesarasota
MayJune 2017bull Not blind opposition to progress but opposition to blind progress
Program for May 2017What Manatee-Sarasota Group MeetingWhen Thursday May 11th 2017 700 PMWhere Sarasota Garden Club 1131 Blvd Ofthe Arts
Growth Management Challenges Dan Lobeck President ofldquoControl Growth Nowrdquo will bespeaking For 28 years this grouphas sought to balance the interestsof developers and taxpayers toprotect our natural environmentneighborhoods and mobility inSarasota County
Dan will address the growth management chal-lenges facing our community including a SarasotaCounty Commission vote in June that may allowpaving of wetlands in the Meadows subdivision toexpand an adult living facility Following a prece-dent set for Whole Foods and Wawa at UniversityParkway and Honore Avenue approval by theCounty Commission would override objections byCounty Technical staff He will discuss the interre-lationship of public policy and political influence inlocal and state elections concerning growth and de-velopmentJoin us for this important meeting and bring a snackto share afterwards
Program for June 2017What Manatee-Sarasota Group MeetingWhen Thursday June 8th 7 pmWhere Sarasota Garden Club 1131 BlvdOf the Arts
2017 State Legislative Outcomes For our Juneprogram we have avery relevantpresentation by DrFrank Alcockprofessor of PoliticalScience at NewCollege Dr Alcockstepped up to the
plate and ran for State office this past fall Hisviews on the environment particularly were ldquorightonrdquo with Sierra Club principles Dr Alcock will review the outcomes of the2017 Florida legislative session describing theirimpacts on the environment He will also sharesome thoughts about the first five months of theTrump Administration and the 2017-18 FloridaConstitution Revision Commission Join us for this important meeting and bring asnack to share afterwards
Celery Fields On January 30 I attended a neighborhood meeting that was being held for a business that was tryingto buy county land to put up a recycling dump next to Our Celery Fields I was fortunate enough to havea court reporter provided by Hugh Culverhouse who understood the legal implications of having thismeeting professionally recorded At the time I didnt understand but will explain that part of this story ina minute I went to the neighborhood meeting initially only concerned about the birds found at Our Celery FieldsI was amazed that soon the entire church room was overfilled beyond capacity with people sitting on thefloor I quickly learned that saving birds were not the only issue People who lived near the Celery Fieldshad serious complaints about a dump being placed so close to their homes With two lane Palmer Boulevardbeing the neighborhoods main and only street to use to get to and from their homes what was already agiant traffic jam during certain hours of the day commutes were about to get worse There were manypeople there like me who were concerned about the welfare of nature and many more who educated me
(Continued on page 3 mdash Celery Fields)
Page 2 wwwsierracluborgfloridamanateesarasota
Mondays May 8th amp June 12th 130 - 330 pm Please join us at the Bradenton Central Library 1301 BarcarrotaBlvd Help us to build sound environmental policy in ManateeCounty Contact Sandra Ripberger at 941-794-3878sandraripyahoocom or Judy Johnson and Stuart Smith at 941-755-6110 jedit79gmailcom
Boca Sierra Vol XXI Issue 3 This newsletter is published bi-monthly by theManatee-Sarasota Group of the Florida Chapter ofthe Sierra Club The intent is to inform membersand interested individuals of local activities andnational environmental issues Members of theSierra Club subscribe to Boca Sierra through theirannual dues
Nonmember subscriptions are available for $6
Manatee Conservation Committee
Outings
Alluvial Delta Hike Saturday May 13 - Alluvial delta to headwater marsh - Join usas we follow a natural seasonal creek from the lake upland to itsheadwaters Only six to eight miles but mostly cross countyGroup size limited Reservation required with Bill Lewis at (941)355-2156Deer Prairie Walk Saturday May 13 Deer Prairie North 800 am Easy 3 mile RTin light and shade on old grazing land to a big curve on theMyakka River and beyond Wear sturdy shoes carrywatersunscreen camera and a snack Must reserve with Sally at(941)484-4113Sleeping Turtles Walk Saturday June 3 Sleeping Turtles 800 a m We will enjoy aleisurely walk with option to do one or both sides of BorderRoad Wear sturdy shoes carry water insect repellent cameraand snack Must Reserve with Sally at 941) 484-4113Seasons of the Myakka Hike Saturday June 10 - Seasons of the Myakka - Join us for a sixto eight mile morning hike that we did in March and will berepeated in September as we watch the seasons change inhammock prairie and swamp Group size limited Reservationrequired with Bill Lewis at (941) 355-2156Carlton Reserve Walk Saturday June 24 Carlton Reserve 800 amChurchill tract 3mile RT Wear sturdy shoes carry water sun screen insectrepellent snack Must reserve with Sally at (941) 484-4113
Suggested donation for each Outing $5
MayJune
2017 Executive CommitteeGroup Chair Gerry Swormstedt941-366-9596 gswormstedt204comcastnetVice-Chair OpenSpecial Projects Lynn Nilssen 941-284-2158LynnNilssenusPolitical Andre Mele914-204-0030 andymelemaccomSecretary Cathy Page 941-795-8973cnpagetampabayrrcomManatee Conservation ChairSandra Ripberger 941-794-3878sandraripyahoocom Co-Chairs Stu and Judy Johnson941-755-6110 jedit79gmailcomSarasota Conservation ChairLarry Grossman 941-225-5741paclkghotmailcomNewsletter Editor Krista Lohr 941-302-0610Kristalohr1975gmailcomHospitality Shar Nelson 805-320-6772snel4747gmailcomMembership Mary Sheppard941-752-3200 mecomaryaolcomPublicity Gerlinde Kohl 941-474-4712fgkohlverizonnetOutings Don Kirkley 941-493-3085donkirkgtenetOutreach John Myers 941-961-7095sagejohnm49gmailcomWeb Master Zen Kurokawa 941-993-7261zenkurokawagmailcomPrograms Appointed CommitteesICO Chair Sarah Mitchell 941-725-1568mitchell8manateeyahoocomNewsletter Design amp ProductionBob Fellman 973-689-5556rtf082446HotmailcomTreasurer Bob Fellman 973-689-5556rtf082446hotmailcomWebsitehttpsierracluborgfloridamanatee-sarasotaMailing AddressPO BOX 3485 Sarasota FL 34236-3485
___Executive Committee meetings are held
bimonthly For dates and time contact GerrySwormstedt Group Chair
Tuesdays May 16 and June 20 100 to 300 PMPlease join us at the Selby Libraryrsquos conference room 1331 1st StreetSarasota Help us to build sound environmental policy in SarasotaCounty Contact Larry Grossman 941-225-5741 orpaclkghotmailcom
Sarasota Conservation Committee
Page 3 wwwsierracluborgfloridamanateesarasota
Help Sierra save money Want to help save local Sierra dollars ease the burden on volunteers conserve trees and receive thenewsletter faster and in color Just follow the steps below to be switched from the paper copy mailing list tothe electronic mailing list1 Type this address into your browserhttpslistssierracluborgSCRIPTSWAEXEA0=FLORIDA-M-S-GROUP-NEWSampA0=FLORIDA-M-S-GROUP-NEWS2 Click on ldquoSubscribeUnsubscriberdquo
(Celery Fields mdash continued from page 1)quickly about the original purposeof the Celery Field which is thatit is a giant retention facility forstorm water that uses its builtponds to relieve neighborhoods offlooding catastrophes and helpsfilter serious sediment andchemicals that would end up inPhillippi Creek and ultimately ourgulf
The next day I began to diveinto county documents whichhave now grown to cover myoffice desk my kitchen island andmy coffee table That is what wethe people are up against Only mounds of county documents and a lot of due diligence are going topossibly save Our Celery Field from being permanently ruined by horrendous county leadershipdecisions I discovered what surplus land was on the county government website and fell over laughingin horror when I read the county Surplus Land Ordinance giving Sarasota Countys Attorney Harmeremperor privileges and enables our County Commissioners to bestow county owned parcels of landssold undervalue to developers who give them immense campaign donations
On March 1 there was a Planning Board meeting for another parcel of land next to Our Celery Fieldfor a company called Restaurant DepotI watched the meeting live on TV and it was there where I sawthe land attorney for RD and Sarasotas County Attorney Roddy discuss not fulfilling the Sarasota CountyCharter by disclosing full ownership of RD I went to task and began looking up more county documentsand bingo in writing there was Attorney Roddys memo stating ownership disclosure had not beensatisfied Yet at the public hearing meeting he along with the Planning Board members still all agreedthat selling this land was a good thing and recommended moving it to the County Board of Commissionersfor a public hearing so the land could be sold to RD
Thankfully with the Restaurant Depot information the community was able to form a full assaultwith the knowledge that the County Charter was being broken and RD pulled out of the contract topurchase the land which is now on Hold Status on the county web page And yes I have asked thecounty real estate department what exactly Hold means because I have asked the county to removeany county lands surrounding the Celery Fields that are for sale until we all can decide what is the bestfate for these properties Hey if you are going to ask for things ask big right Just trying to providesome humor because this is seriously depressing and a bureaucratic labyrinth of crap that is as tall asthe Celery Field mound (Continued on Page 4)
Photo Siesta Sand Jan 1 2014httpswwwgooglecomsearchq=Celery+Fields+Sarasota+Floridaamprlz=1C1PRFB_enUS473US483ampespv=2ampsource=lnmsamptbm=ischampsa=Xampved=0ahUKEwiJ5dGcnZ_TAhWC7CYKHf4sDwcQ_AUIBygCampbiw=1366ampbih=662
Page 4 wwwsierracluborgfloridamanateesarasota
Continued from Page 3 mdash Celery Fields
Sarasota Countys $30M+- investment of the Celery Fields Storm Water Retention facility is aninvestment that is paying the people of Sarasota back in economical and environmental ways that haveexceeded the countys original expectations The Celery Field was filled with contaminants from pastrow-crop farming such as pesticide and arsenic are filtered through these ponds In 2012 a BestManagement Practices Evaluation water quality study was completed showing the pollutant load removalwas much better than expected The observed results for annual pollutant load reduction to the receivingwaters of Roberts Bay North were
o 15198 lbyr for Total Nitrogeno 2040 lbyr for Total Phosphorus (TP)o 528467 lbyr for Total Suspended Soils
Remember the recent slimy green algae in Stuart FL Think about adding a recycling dump next toOur Celery Field Regional Stormwater Facility which is a living breathing organism that continues toldquopay backrdquo and protect Sarasota County community and its waters Why would our County risk itsinvestment
I continue to push as I have learned from Sarasota Countys very own mission statement about zoningthat Zonings fundamental purpose is to protect a communitys health safety and welfare It is up to usto hammer this home to our County Commission that they are failing everyone in Sarasota by allowing atravesty such as Gabberts dump to be built next door to our Celery Field
Between the unwitting benefit of eco-tourism and the original intent of why the Celery Field facilitywas built this eco-asset will pay back the county for generations to come We must save Our Celery FieldThankfully I have had the luxury of having a court reporter with me at these county meetings so in theevent our commissioners make the wrong decision in relation to these lands and award Gabbert his dumpwe will be filing an appeal
I encourage all of you to write Sarasotas County Commissioners to let them know you are outragedabout the surplus land sales around Our Celery Field I expect the public hearing for TST Ventures dumpto be scheduled during the summer months By Adrian Lucas
Not a Member See Membership Form On Page 8Act now and become a member of the Sierra Club By joining yoursquoll support vital environmentaladvocacy receive three publications and gain access to local outings member-only adventures and otherrewards More at httptiogasierracluborgmember3htm Join Sierra Clubrsquos new Meetup Group Becomea member and receive information on all meetings outings and actions etc Check it out by visitinghttpwwwmeetupcomManatee-Sarasota-Sierra -Club-Group
Page 5 wwwsierracluborgfloridamanateesarasota
Can a Neighborhood Save a Special Woodland
A good thing about the election of our currentpresident is that many people are realizing that theycanrsquot sit around waiting for the right things tohappen They have to get a move-on
Our small neighborhood (64 homes) each onabout an acre of property in eastern SarasotaCounty learned in early March of the ldquosurplusingrdquoof two pieces of soft hardwood mesic forest locatedon both sides of the entrance to our neighborhooda small road east of Indash75 north of Bee Ridge RoadBee Ridge was recently ldquoimprovedrdquo and is now fourlanes many trees were lost in the process Thesetwo wooded parcels are among the last remainingnatural woodlands in this area Another four-acreparcel of valuable wooded wetlands just to the west
and also abutting our neighborhood is being considered for sale and development as well All three parcelsare owned by Sarasota County
So what can we do The neighbors held a strategy meeting and made several decisions as a group 1)all neighbors were encouraged to write to all five of our County Commissioners who will be making thefinal decision on whether or not to develop these woodlands and 2) a petition would be taken door to doorby a group of volunteers and signed by all our neighbors We canrsquot present the petition here due to lack ofspace but it addressed the following issues 1) safety dangerous new ingressegress 2) habitat destruction3) reduction of natural noise buffers 4) loss of natural drainage control and 5) opportunities for unwelcomeaccess to private property and invitation for trespass
So far more than ninety individuals from our immediate neighborhood (64 homes) and dozens of othercitizens from the county have signed the petition and wersquore not finished yet The next steps will be to mailthe hand-signed petitions to each Commissioner and then to attend the next County Commissionersrsquo meetingon April 25th and speak directly to the Commissioners during the ldquoOpen to the Publicrdquo time
This effort illustrates what we citizens need to do both to make our voices heard and to escape from thepall of disappointment many feel with the election of a decidedly anti-environmental administration inWashington DC
For a copy of the petition email Mary Hasselbring at maryhasselbringhotmailcomWritten by Mary Hasselbring Photo Mary Hasselbring____________________________________________________________________
Bee Ridge and Aberdeen Drive Sarasota
Enviro-Note for the May-June 2017
Rachel Carson was born May 27 1907 Best known as the author of Silent Spring published in 1962 Sheexposed the environmental and human impacts of pesticides specifically DDT She is an inspiration toenvironmental activists today ldquoBut man is a part of nature and his war against nature is inevitably a waragainst himselfrdquo Rachel Carson
Ready For 100 The kickoff Ready for 100 volunteer meeting was an enthusiastic success All25 in attendance were excited to roll up their sleeves and get to work putting thecity of Sarasota on a clean energy path Our initial steps involve getting widespreadcommunity support for the campaign and getting a commitment in the form of aresolution from the Sarasota City Commissioners We will be out in thecommunity building support and collecting signatures for the Ready for 100initiative here in Sarasota In addition we will be presenting the Sierra Ready for100 model to the city commission for approval in early June
Now more than ever we need to act locally to protect our planet from climatechange and the Sierra Ready for 100 plan provides a roadmap for cities across the county to make the transitionto clean energy a reality
If yoursquod like to become a part of our local team or add your name or organization to the list of supportersplease contact lynnsierranilssenus Herersquos a link to petition Sarasota make the 100 transitionhttpbitdoSRQ100 Please sign it
What is the Ready for 100 Campaign The Sierra Ready for 100 campaign is a movement of people workingto inspire our leaders to embrace a vision of healthier communities powered by 100 clean energy For moreinformation httpwwwsierracluborgready-for-100cities-ready-for-100
Page 6wwwsierracluborgfloridamanateesarasota
Controlling Disposable Plastic Bags On Wednesday March 22 the Florida Senate Bill 162 Disposable Plastic Bags proposed by Sen JoseJavier Rodriguez (D-Miami-Dade) received a favorable vote (4 yes 1 no) The Bill to establish a pilot programto allow coastal communities with less than 100000 residents to regulate plastic bags has now been forwardedto Senate Community Affairs CA SJ 243
Although plastic bags can be recycled into different products such as composite lumber containers andpipe only 4 to 7 of collected bags are actually currently recycled Plastic bags are hard to clean and theyclog machinery at recycling plants making them costly and difficult to recycle so about 80 of collectedbags end up being baled and put into landfills where they can leach into soil and groundwater
Uncollected bags blow into rivers lakes and oceans They clog storm drains are ingested by marinemammals and entangle birds causing millions of deaths US Environmental Protection Agency studies reveala synergistic effect between toxic chemicals and plastic debris Plastics absorb toxins such as dioxins fromwater that are transferred to the marine food web and ultimately to human food presenting a risk to humansdomestic pets and wildlife
You can follow the progress of SB 162 at wwwflsenategov and help by calling or writing to State Senatorsto express your support for this bill
Page 7 wwwsierracluborgfloridamanateesarasota
Bad Proposals Continue To Threaten Sarasota Bay Long Bar Pointe is the last unspoiled mangrove shoreline on Sarasota Bay ndash and it needs your help
A new housing development called Aqua by the Bay threatens this irreplaceable treasure It comes upfor a vote at the Manatee County Commission May 4 Please be there call and email the commissioners tourge them to deny the General Development Plan for Aqua by the Bay
The General Development Plan would let Aqua by the Bay 1) Dredge a lagoon 2frac12 miles long rightbehind the mangrove fringe 2) Erect a seawall behind the lagoon 3) Build 2900 homes above the seawall4) Build at least one building 145 feet tall ndash four times the legal limit and 5) Install dozens of docks alongthe shore
Under separate state and federal permits Aqua by the Bay could trim more than a linear mile of flourishingmangrove forest and impose a conservation easement overriding Manatee Countyrsquos authority on its owncoast Aqua by the Bay would incur the following negative impacts It would
Violate a multitude of local wetland protection laws Devastate the mangroves and their ecological function Endanger the healthiest seagrass best shorebird habitat and finest fishing ground on the Bay
and Destroy the character of this peaceful Old Florida coastline
With your support the Manatee County Commission can save the last great place on Sarasota Bay Bysupporting this petition you can show our commissioners that our community stands firm against thisapproval and request they use our land development rules as intended to protect our valuable environmentand deny this development Which do you think is more important to the well being Sarasota Bay
See Petition athttpswwwipetitionscompetitionSave-Longbar-Pointe-on-Sarasota-BayThanks for your helpStuart Smith Co-chair Manatee County Conservation Committee
Proposed Aqua By The Bay White Pelicans
THIS or THIS
Aqua-by-the-Bay-Pix httpwwwheraldtribunecomnews20170410new-plans-for-long-bar-pointe-reignite-debate Braden-ton Herald Tribune April 10 2017
Pelican Pix httpswwwipetitionscompetitionSave-Longbar-Pointe-on-Sarasota-Bay
Page 8 wwwsierracluborgfloridamanateesarasota
ManateeSarasota GroupSierra ClubPO Box 3485 SarasotaFL 342363485
Explore Enjoy and Protect the Planet
NONPROFITORGANIZATION
US POSTAGE PAIDMANASOTA FLPermit NO 510
Page 2 wwwsierracluborgfloridamanateesarasota
Mondays May 8th amp June 12th 130 - 330 pm Please join us at the Bradenton Central Library 1301 BarcarrotaBlvd Help us to build sound environmental policy in ManateeCounty Contact Sandra Ripberger at 941-794-3878sandraripyahoocom or Judy Johnson and Stuart Smith at 941-755-6110 jedit79gmailcom
Boca Sierra Vol XXI Issue 3 This newsletter is published bi-monthly by theManatee-Sarasota Group of the Florida Chapter ofthe Sierra Club The intent is to inform membersand interested individuals of local activities andnational environmental issues Members of theSierra Club subscribe to Boca Sierra through theirannual dues
Nonmember subscriptions are available for $6
Manatee Conservation Committee
Outings
Alluvial Delta Hike Saturday May 13 - Alluvial delta to headwater marsh - Join usas we follow a natural seasonal creek from the lake upland to itsheadwaters Only six to eight miles but mostly cross countyGroup size limited Reservation required with Bill Lewis at (941)355-2156Deer Prairie Walk Saturday May 13 Deer Prairie North 800 am Easy 3 mile RTin light and shade on old grazing land to a big curve on theMyakka River and beyond Wear sturdy shoes carrywatersunscreen camera and a snack Must reserve with Sally at(941)484-4113Sleeping Turtles Walk Saturday June 3 Sleeping Turtles 800 a m We will enjoy aleisurely walk with option to do one or both sides of BorderRoad Wear sturdy shoes carry water insect repellent cameraand snack Must Reserve with Sally at 941) 484-4113Seasons of the Myakka Hike Saturday June 10 - Seasons of the Myakka - Join us for a sixto eight mile morning hike that we did in March and will berepeated in September as we watch the seasons change inhammock prairie and swamp Group size limited Reservationrequired with Bill Lewis at (941) 355-2156Carlton Reserve Walk Saturday June 24 Carlton Reserve 800 amChurchill tract 3mile RT Wear sturdy shoes carry water sun screen insectrepellent snack Must reserve with Sally at (941) 484-4113
Suggested donation for each Outing $5
MayJune
2017 Executive CommitteeGroup Chair Gerry Swormstedt941-366-9596 gswormstedt204comcastnetVice-Chair OpenSpecial Projects Lynn Nilssen 941-284-2158LynnNilssenusPolitical Andre Mele914-204-0030 andymelemaccomSecretary Cathy Page 941-795-8973cnpagetampabayrrcomManatee Conservation ChairSandra Ripberger 941-794-3878sandraripyahoocom Co-Chairs Stu and Judy Johnson941-755-6110 jedit79gmailcomSarasota Conservation ChairLarry Grossman 941-225-5741paclkghotmailcomNewsletter Editor Krista Lohr 941-302-0610Kristalohr1975gmailcomHospitality Shar Nelson 805-320-6772snel4747gmailcomMembership Mary Sheppard941-752-3200 mecomaryaolcomPublicity Gerlinde Kohl 941-474-4712fgkohlverizonnetOutings Don Kirkley 941-493-3085donkirkgtenetOutreach John Myers 941-961-7095sagejohnm49gmailcomWeb Master Zen Kurokawa 941-993-7261zenkurokawagmailcomPrograms Appointed CommitteesICO Chair Sarah Mitchell 941-725-1568mitchell8manateeyahoocomNewsletter Design amp ProductionBob Fellman 973-689-5556rtf082446HotmailcomTreasurer Bob Fellman 973-689-5556rtf082446hotmailcomWebsitehttpsierracluborgfloridamanatee-sarasotaMailing AddressPO BOX 3485 Sarasota FL 34236-3485
___Executive Committee meetings are held
bimonthly For dates and time contact GerrySwormstedt Group Chair
Tuesdays May 16 and June 20 100 to 300 PMPlease join us at the Selby Libraryrsquos conference room 1331 1st StreetSarasota Help us to build sound environmental policy in SarasotaCounty Contact Larry Grossman 941-225-5741 orpaclkghotmailcom
Sarasota Conservation Committee
Page 3 wwwsierracluborgfloridamanateesarasota
Help Sierra save money Want to help save local Sierra dollars ease the burden on volunteers conserve trees and receive thenewsletter faster and in color Just follow the steps below to be switched from the paper copy mailing list tothe electronic mailing list1 Type this address into your browserhttpslistssierracluborgSCRIPTSWAEXEA0=FLORIDA-M-S-GROUP-NEWSampA0=FLORIDA-M-S-GROUP-NEWS2 Click on ldquoSubscribeUnsubscriberdquo
(Celery Fields mdash continued from page 1)quickly about the original purposeof the Celery Field which is thatit is a giant retention facility forstorm water that uses its builtponds to relieve neighborhoods offlooding catastrophes and helpsfilter serious sediment andchemicals that would end up inPhillippi Creek and ultimately ourgulf
The next day I began to diveinto county documents whichhave now grown to cover myoffice desk my kitchen island andmy coffee table That is what wethe people are up against Only mounds of county documents and a lot of due diligence are going topossibly save Our Celery Field from being permanently ruined by horrendous county leadershipdecisions I discovered what surplus land was on the county government website and fell over laughingin horror when I read the county Surplus Land Ordinance giving Sarasota Countys Attorney Harmeremperor privileges and enables our County Commissioners to bestow county owned parcels of landssold undervalue to developers who give them immense campaign donations
On March 1 there was a Planning Board meeting for another parcel of land next to Our Celery Fieldfor a company called Restaurant DepotI watched the meeting live on TV and it was there where I sawthe land attorney for RD and Sarasotas County Attorney Roddy discuss not fulfilling the Sarasota CountyCharter by disclosing full ownership of RD I went to task and began looking up more county documentsand bingo in writing there was Attorney Roddys memo stating ownership disclosure had not beensatisfied Yet at the public hearing meeting he along with the Planning Board members still all agreedthat selling this land was a good thing and recommended moving it to the County Board of Commissionersfor a public hearing so the land could be sold to RD
Thankfully with the Restaurant Depot information the community was able to form a full assaultwith the knowledge that the County Charter was being broken and RD pulled out of the contract topurchase the land which is now on Hold Status on the county web page And yes I have asked thecounty real estate department what exactly Hold means because I have asked the county to removeany county lands surrounding the Celery Fields that are for sale until we all can decide what is the bestfate for these properties Hey if you are going to ask for things ask big right Just trying to providesome humor because this is seriously depressing and a bureaucratic labyrinth of crap that is as tall asthe Celery Field mound (Continued on Page 4)
Photo Siesta Sand Jan 1 2014httpswwwgooglecomsearchq=Celery+Fields+Sarasota+Floridaamprlz=1C1PRFB_enUS473US483ampespv=2ampsource=lnmsamptbm=ischampsa=Xampved=0ahUKEwiJ5dGcnZ_TAhWC7CYKHf4sDwcQ_AUIBygCampbiw=1366ampbih=662
Page 4 wwwsierracluborgfloridamanateesarasota
Continued from Page 3 mdash Celery Fields
Sarasota Countys $30M+- investment of the Celery Fields Storm Water Retention facility is aninvestment that is paying the people of Sarasota back in economical and environmental ways that haveexceeded the countys original expectations The Celery Field was filled with contaminants from pastrow-crop farming such as pesticide and arsenic are filtered through these ponds In 2012 a BestManagement Practices Evaluation water quality study was completed showing the pollutant load removalwas much better than expected The observed results for annual pollutant load reduction to the receivingwaters of Roberts Bay North were
o 15198 lbyr for Total Nitrogeno 2040 lbyr for Total Phosphorus (TP)o 528467 lbyr for Total Suspended Soils
Remember the recent slimy green algae in Stuart FL Think about adding a recycling dump next toOur Celery Field Regional Stormwater Facility which is a living breathing organism that continues toldquopay backrdquo and protect Sarasota County community and its waters Why would our County risk itsinvestment
I continue to push as I have learned from Sarasota Countys very own mission statement about zoningthat Zonings fundamental purpose is to protect a communitys health safety and welfare It is up to usto hammer this home to our County Commission that they are failing everyone in Sarasota by allowing atravesty such as Gabberts dump to be built next door to our Celery Field
Between the unwitting benefit of eco-tourism and the original intent of why the Celery Field facilitywas built this eco-asset will pay back the county for generations to come We must save Our Celery FieldThankfully I have had the luxury of having a court reporter with me at these county meetings so in theevent our commissioners make the wrong decision in relation to these lands and award Gabbert his dumpwe will be filing an appeal
I encourage all of you to write Sarasotas County Commissioners to let them know you are outragedabout the surplus land sales around Our Celery Field I expect the public hearing for TST Ventures dumpto be scheduled during the summer months By Adrian Lucas
Not a Member See Membership Form On Page 8Act now and become a member of the Sierra Club By joining yoursquoll support vital environmentaladvocacy receive three publications and gain access to local outings member-only adventures and otherrewards More at httptiogasierracluborgmember3htm Join Sierra Clubrsquos new Meetup Group Becomea member and receive information on all meetings outings and actions etc Check it out by visitinghttpwwwmeetupcomManatee-Sarasota-Sierra -Club-Group
Page 5 wwwsierracluborgfloridamanateesarasota
Can a Neighborhood Save a Special Woodland
A good thing about the election of our currentpresident is that many people are realizing that theycanrsquot sit around waiting for the right things tohappen They have to get a move-on
Our small neighborhood (64 homes) each onabout an acre of property in eastern SarasotaCounty learned in early March of the ldquosurplusingrdquoof two pieces of soft hardwood mesic forest locatedon both sides of the entrance to our neighborhooda small road east of Indash75 north of Bee Ridge RoadBee Ridge was recently ldquoimprovedrdquo and is now fourlanes many trees were lost in the process Thesetwo wooded parcels are among the last remainingnatural woodlands in this area Another four-acreparcel of valuable wooded wetlands just to the west
and also abutting our neighborhood is being considered for sale and development as well All three parcelsare owned by Sarasota County
So what can we do The neighbors held a strategy meeting and made several decisions as a group 1)all neighbors were encouraged to write to all five of our County Commissioners who will be making thefinal decision on whether or not to develop these woodlands and 2) a petition would be taken door to doorby a group of volunteers and signed by all our neighbors We canrsquot present the petition here due to lack ofspace but it addressed the following issues 1) safety dangerous new ingressegress 2) habitat destruction3) reduction of natural noise buffers 4) loss of natural drainage control and 5) opportunities for unwelcomeaccess to private property and invitation for trespass
So far more than ninety individuals from our immediate neighborhood (64 homes) and dozens of othercitizens from the county have signed the petition and wersquore not finished yet The next steps will be to mailthe hand-signed petitions to each Commissioner and then to attend the next County Commissionersrsquo meetingon April 25th and speak directly to the Commissioners during the ldquoOpen to the Publicrdquo time
This effort illustrates what we citizens need to do both to make our voices heard and to escape from thepall of disappointment many feel with the election of a decidedly anti-environmental administration inWashington DC
For a copy of the petition email Mary Hasselbring at maryhasselbringhotmailcomWritten by Mary Hasselbring Photo Mary Hasselbring____________________________________________________________________
Bee Ridge and Aberdeen Drive Sarasota
Enviro-Note for the May-June 2017
Rachel Carson was born May 27 1907 Best known as the author of Silent Spring published in 1962 Sheexposed the environmental and human impacts of pesticides specifically DDT She is an inspiration toenvironmental activists today ldquoBut man is a part of nature and his war against nature is inevitably a waragainst himselfrdquo Rachel Carson
Ready For 100 The kickoff Ready for 100 volunteer meeting was an enthusiastic success All25 in attendance were excited to roll up their sleeves and get to work putting thecity of Sarasota on a clean energy path Our initial steps involve getting widespreadcommunity support for the campaign and getting a commitment in the form of aresolution from the Sarasota City Commissioners We will be out in thecommunity building support and collecting signatures for the Ready for 100initiative here in Sarasota In addition we will be presenting the Sierra Ready for100 model to the city commission for approval in early June
Now more than ever we need to act locally to protect our planet from climatechange and the Sierra Ready for 100 plan provides a roadmap for cities across the county to make the transitionto clean energy a reality
If yoursquod like to become a part of our local team or add your name or organization to the list of supportersplease contact lynnsierranilssenus Herersquos a link to petition Sarasota make the 100 transitionhttpbitdoSRQ100 Please sign it
What is the Ready for 100 Campaign The Sierra Ready for 100 campaign is a movement of people workingto inspire our leaders to embrace a vision of healthier communities powered by 100 clean energy For moreinformation httpwwwsierracluborgready-for-100cities-ready-for-100
Page 6wwwsierracluborgfloridamanateesarasota
Controlling Disposable Plastic Bags On Wednesday March 22 the Florida Senate Bill 162 Disposable Plastic Bags proposed by Sen JoseJavier Rodriguez (D-Miami-Dade) received a favorable vote (4 yes 1 no) The Bill to establish a pilot programto allow coastal communities with less than 100000 residents to regulate plastic bags has now been forwardedto Senate Community Affairs CA SJ 243
Although plastic bags can be recycled into different products such as composite lumber containers andpipe only 4 to 7 of collected bags are actually currently recycled Plastic bags are hard to clean and theyclog machinery at recycling plants making them costly and difficult to recycle so about 80 of collectedbags end up being baled and put into landfills where they can leach into soil and groundwater
Uncollected bags blow into rivers lakes and oceans They clog storm drains are ingested by marinemammals and entangle birds causing millions of deaths US Environmental Protection Agency studies reveala synergistic effect between toxic chemicals and plastic debris Plastics absorb toxins such as dioxins fromwater that are transferred to the marine food web and ultimately to human food presenting a risk to humansdomestic pets and wildlife
You can follow the progress of SB 162 at wwwflsenategov and help by calling or writing to State Senatorsto express your support for this bill
Page 7 wwwsierracluborgfloridamanateesarasota
Bad Proposals Continue To Threaten Sarasota Bay Long Bar Pointe is the last unspoiled mangrove shoreline on Sarasota Bay ndash and it needs your help
A new housing development called Aqua by the Bay threatens this irreplaceable treasure It comes upfor a vote at the Manatee County Commission May 4 Please be there call and email the commissioners tourge them to deny the General Development Plan for Aqua by the Bay
The General Development Plan would let Aqua by the Bay 1) Dredge a lagoon 2frac12 miles long rightbehind the mangrove fringe 2) Erect a seawall behind the lagoon 3) Build 2900 homes above the seawall4) Build at least one building 145 feet tall ndash four times the legal limit and 5) Install dozens of docks alongthe shore
Under separate state and federal permits Aqua by the Bay could trim more than a linear mile of flourishingmangrove forest and impose a conservation easement overriding Manatee Countyrsquos authority on its owncoast Aqua by the Bay would incur the following negative impacts It would
Violate a multitude of local wetland protection laws Devastate the mangroves and their ecological function Endanger the healthiest seagrass best shorebird habitat and finest fishing ground on the Bay
and Destroy the character of this peaceful Old Florida coastline
With your support the Manatee County Commission can save the last great place on Sarasota Bay Bysupporting this petition you can show our commissioners that our community stands firm against thisapproval and request they use our land development rules as intended to protect our valuable environmentand deny this development Which do you think is more important to the well being Sarasota Bay
See Petition athttpswwwipetitionscompetitionSave-Longbar-Pointe-on-Sarasota-BayThanks for your helpStuart Smith Co-chair Manatee County Conservation Committee
Proposed Aqua By The Bay White Pelicans
THIS or THIS
Aqua-by-the-Bay-Pix httpwwwheraldtribunecomnews20170410new-plans-for-long-bar-pointe-reignite-debate Braden-ton Herald Tribune April 10 2017
Pelican Pix httpswwwipetitionscompetitionSave-Longbar-Pointe-on-Sarasota-Bay
Page 8 wwwsierracluborgfloridamanateesarasota
ManateeSarasota GroupSierra ClubPO Box 3485 SarasotaFL 342363485
Explore Enjoy and Protect the Planet
NONPROFITORGANIZATION
US POSTAGE PAIDMANASOTA FLPermit NO 510
Page 3 wwwsierracluborgfloridamanateesarasota
Help Sierra save money Want to help save local Sierra dollars ease the burden on volunteers conserve trees and receive thenewsletter faster and in color Just follow the steps below to be switched from the paper copy mailing list tothe electronic mailing list1 Type this address into your browserhttpslistssierracluborgSCRIPTSWAEXEA0=FLORIDA-M-S-GROUP-NEWSampA0=FLORIDA-M-S-GROUP-NEWS2 Click on ldquoSubscribeUnsubscriberdquo
(Celery Fields mdash continued from page 1)quickly about the original purposeof the Celery Field which is thatit is a giant retention facility forstorm water that uses its builtponds to relieve neighborhoods offlooding catastrophes and helpsfilter serious sediment andchemicals that would end up inPhillippi Creek and ultimately ourgulf
The next day I began to diveinto county documents whichhave now grown to cover myoffice desk my kitchen island andmy coffee table That is what wethe people are up against Only mounds of county documents and a lot of due diligence are going topossibly save Our Celery Field from being permanently ruined by horrendous county leadershipdecisions I discovered what surplus land was on the county government website and fell over laughingin horror when I read the county Surplus Land Ordinance giving Sarasota Countys Attorney Harmeremperor privileges and enables our County Commissioners to bestow county owned parcels of landssold undervalue to developers who give them immense campaign donations
On March 1 there was a Planning Board meeting for another parcel of land next to Our Celery Fieldfor a company called Restaurant DepotI watched the meeting live on TV and it was there where I sawthe land attorney for RD and Sarasotas County Attorney Roddy discuss not fulfilling the Sarasota CountyCharter by disclosing full ownership of RD I went to task and began looking up more county documentsand bingo in writing there was Attorney Roddys memo stating ownership disclosure had not beensatisfied Yet at the public hearing meeting he along with the Planning Board members still all agreedthat selling this land was a good thing and recommended moving it to the County Board of Commissionersfor a public hearing so the land could be sold to RD
Thankfully with the Restaurant Depot information the community was able to form a full assaultwith the knowledge that the County Charter was being broken and RD pulled out of the contract topurchase the land which is now on Hold Status on the county web page And yes I have asked thecounty real estate department what exactly Hold means because I have asked the county to removeany county lands surrounding the Celery Fields that are for sale until we all can decide what is the bestfate for these properties Hey if you are going to ask for things ask big right Just trying to providesome humor because this is seriously depressing and a bureaucratic labyrinth of crap that is as tall asthe Celery Field mound (Continued on Page 4)
Photo Siesta Sand Jan 1 2014httpswwwgooglecomsearchq=Celery+Fields+Sarasota+Floridaamprlz=1C1PRFB_enUS473US483ampespv=2ampsource=lnmsamptbm=ischampsa=Xampved=0ahUKEwiJ5dGcnZ_TAhWC7CYKHf4sDwcQ_AUIBygCampbiw=1366ampbih=662
Page 4 wwwsierracluborgfloridamanateesarasota
Continued from Page 3 mdash Celery Fields
Sarasota Countys $30M+- investment of the Celery Fields Storm Water Retention facility is aninvestment that is paying the people of Sarasota back in economical and environmental ways that haveexceeded the countys original expectations The Celery Field was filled with contaminants from pastrow-crop farming such as pesticide and arsenic are filtered through these ponds In 2012 a BestManagement Practices Evaluation water quality study was completed showing the pollutant load removalwas much better than expected The observed results for annual pollutant load reduction to the receivingwaters of Roberts Bay North were
o 15198 lbyr for Total Nitrogeno 2040 lbyr for Total Phosphorus (TP)o 528467 lbyr for Total Suspended Soils
Remember the recent slimy green algae in Stuart FL Think about adding a recycling dump next toOur Celery Field Regional Stormwater Facility which is a living breathing organism that continues toldquopay backrdquo and protect Sarasota County community and its waters Why would our County risk itsinvestment
I continue to push as I have learned from Sarasota Countys very own mission statement about zoningthat Zonings fundamental purpose is to protect a communitys health safety and welfare It is up to usto hammer this home to our County Commission that they are failing everyone in Sarasota by allowing atravesty such as Gabberts dump to be built next door to our Celery Field
Between the unwitting benefit of eco-tourism and the original intent of why the Celery Field facilitywas built this eco-asset will pay back the county for generations to come We must save Our Celery FieldThankfully I have had the luxury of having a court reporter with me at these county meetings so in theevent our commissioners make the wrong decision in relation to these lands and award Gabbert his dumpwe will be filing an appeal
I encourage all of you to write Sarasotas County Commissioners to let them know you are outragedabout the surplus land sales around Our Celery Field I expect the public hearing for TST Ventures dumpto be scheduled during the summer months By Adrian Lucas
Not a Member See Membership Form On Page 8Act now and become a member of the Sierra Club By joining yoursquoll support vital environmentaladvocacy receive three publications and gain access to local outings member-only adventures and otherrewards More at httptiogasierracluborgmember3htm Join Sierra Clubrsquos new Meetup Group Becomea member and receive information on all meetings outings and actions etc Check it out by visitinghttpwwwmeetupcomManatee-Sarasota-Sierra -Club-Group
Page 5 wwwsierracluborgfloridamanateesarasota
Can a Neighborhood Save a Special Woodland
A good thing about the election of our currentpresident is that many people are realizing that theycanrsquot sit around waiting for the right things tohappen They have to get a move-on
Our small neighborhood (64 homes) each onabout an acre of property in eastern SarasotaCounty learned in early March of the ldquosurplusingrdquoof two pieces of soft hardwood mesic forest locatedon both sides of the entrance to our neighborhooda small road east of Indash75 north of Bee Ridge RoadBee Ridge was recently ldquoimprovedrdquo and is now fourlanes many trees were lost in the process Thesetwo wooded parcels are among the last remainingnatural woodlands in this area Another four-acreparcel of valuable wooded wetlands just to the west
and also abutting our neighborhood is being considered for sale and development as well All three parcelsare owned by Sarasota County
So what can we do The neighbors held a strategy meeting and made several decisions as a group 1)all neighbors were encouraged to write to all five of our County Commissioners who will be making thefinal decision on whether or not to develop these woodlands and 2) a petition would be taken door to doorby a group of volunteers and signed by all our neighbors We canrsquot present the petition here due to lack ofspace but it addressed the following issues 1) safety dangerous new ingressegress 2) habitat destruction3) reduction of natural noise buffers 4) loss of natural drainage control and 5) opportunities for unwelcomeaccess to private property and invitation for trespass
So far more than ninety individuals from our immediate neighborhood (64 homes) and dozens of othercitizens from the county have signed the petition and wersquore not finished yet The next steps will be to mailthe hand-signed petitions to each Commissioner and then to attend the next County Commissionersrsquo meetingon April 25th and speak directly to the Commissioners during the ldquoOpen to the Publicrdquo time
This effort illustrates what we citizens need to do both to make our voices heard and to escape from thepall of disappointment many feel with the election of a decidedly anti-environmental administration inWashington DC
For a copy of the petition email Mary Hasselbring at maryhasselbringhotmailcomWritten by Mary Hasselbring Photo Mary Hasselbring____________________________________________________________________
Bee Ridge and Aberdeen Drive Sarasota
Enviro-Note for the May-June 2017
Rachel Carson was born May 27 1907 Best known as the author of Silent Spring published in 1962 Sheexposed the environmental and human impacts of pesticides specifically DDT She is an inspiration toenvironmental activists today ldquoBut man is a part of nature and his war against nature is inevitably a waragainst himselfrdquo Rachel Carson
Ready For 100 The kickoff Ready for 100 volunteer meeting was an enthusiastic success All25 in attendance were excited to roll up their sleeves and get to work putting thecity of Sarasota on a clean energy path Our initial steps involve getting widespreadcommunity support for the campaign and getting a commitment in the form of aresolution from the Sarasota City Commissioners We will be out in thecommunity building support and collecting signatures for the Ready for 100initiative here in Sarasota In addition we will be presenting the Sierra Ready for100 model to the city commission for approval in early June
Now more than ever we need to act locally to protect our planet from climatechange and the Sierra Ready for 100 plan provides a roadmap for cities across the county to make the transitionto clean energy a reality
If yoursquod like to become a part of our local team or add your name or organization to the list of supportersplease contact lynnsierranilssenus Herersquos a link to petition Sarasota make the 100 transitionhttpbitdoSRQ100 Please sign it
What is the Ready for 100 Campaign The Sierra Ready for 100 campaign is a movement of people workingto inspire our leaders to embrace a vision of healthier communities powered by 100 clean energy For moreinformation httpwwwsierracluborgready-for-100cities-ready-for-100
Page 6wwwsierracluborgfloridamanateesarasota
Controlling Disposable Plastic Bags On Wednesday March 22 the Florida Senate Bill 162 Disposable Plastic Bags proposed by Sen JoseJavier Rodriguez (D-Miami-Dade) received a favorable vote (4 yes 1 no) The Bill to establish a pilot programto allow coastal communities with less than 100000 residents to regulate plastic bags has now been forwardedto Senate Community Affairs CA SJ 243
Although plastic bags can be recycled into different products such as composite lumber containers andpipe only 4 to 7 of collected bags are actually currently recycled Plastic bags are hard to clean and theyclog machinery at recycling plants making them costly and difficult to recycle so about 80 of collectedbags end up being baled and put into landfills where they can leach into soil and groundwater
Uncollected bags blow into rivers lakes and oceans They clog storm drains are ingested by marinemammals and entangle birds causing millions of deaths US Environmental Protection Agency studies reveala synergistic effect between toxic chemicals and plastic debris Plastics absorb toxins such as dioxins fromwater that are transferred to the marine food web and ultimately to human food presenting a risk to humansdomestic pets and wildlife
You can follow the progress of SB 162 at wwwflsenategov and help by calling or writing to State Senatorsto express your support for this bill
Page 7 wwwsierracluborgfloridamanateesarasota
Bad Proposals Continue To Threaten Sarasota Bay Long Bar Pointe is the last unspoiled mangrove shoreline on Sarasota Bay ndash and it needs your help
A new housing development called Aqua by the Bay threatens this irreplaceable treasure It comes upfor a vote at the Manatee County Commission May 4 Please be there call and email the commissioners tourge them to deny the General Development Plan for Aqua by the Bay
The General Development Plan would let Aqua by the Bay 1) Dredge a lagoon 2frac12 miles long rightbehind the mangrove fringe 2) Erect a seawall behind the lagoon 3) Build 2900 homes above the seawall4) Build at least one building 145 feet tall ndash four times the legal limit and 5) Install dozens of docks alongthe shore
Under separate state and federal permits Aqua by the Bay could trim more than a linear mile of flourishingmangrove forest and impose a conservation easement overriding Manatee Countyrsquos authority on its owncoast Aqua by the Bay would incur the following negative impacts It would
Violate a multitude of local wetland protection laws Devastate the mangroves and their ecological function Endanger the healthiest seagrass best shorebird habitat and finest fishing ground on the Bay
and Destroy the character of this peaceful Old Florida coastline
With your support the Manatee County Commission can save the last great place on Sarasota Bay Bysupporting this petition you can show our commissioners that our community stands firm against thisapproval and request they use our land development rules as intended to protect our valuable environmentand deny this development Which do you think is more important to the well being Sarasota Bay
See Petition athttpswwwipetitionscompetitionSave-Longbar-Pointe-on-Sarasota-BayThanks for your helpStuart Smith Co-chair Manatee County Conservation Committee
Proposed Aqua By The Bay White Pelicans
THIS or THIS
Aqua-by-the-Bay-Pix httpwwwheraldtribunecomnews20170410new-plans-for-long-bar-pointe-reignite-debate Braden-ton Herald Tribune April 10 2017
Pelican Pix httpswwwipetitionscompetitionSave-Longbar-Pointe-on-Sarasota-Bay
Page 8 wwwsierracluborgfloridamanateesarasota
ManateeSarasota GroupSierra ClubPO Box 3485 SarasotaFL 342363485
Explore Enjoy and Protect the Planet
NONPROFITORGANIZATION
US POSTAGE PAIDMANASOTA FLPermit NO 510
Page 4 wwwsierracluborgfloridamanateesarasota
Continued from Page 3 mdash Celery Fields
Sarasota Countys $30M+- investment of the Celery Fields Storm Water Retention facility is aninvestment that is paying the people of Sarasota back in economical and environmental ways that haveexceeded the countys original expectations The Celery Field was filled with contaminants from pastrow-crop farming such as pesticide and arsenic are filtered through these ponds In 2012 a BestManagement Practices Evaluation water quality study was completed showing the pollutant load removalwas much better than expected The observed results for annual pollutant load reduction to the receivingwaters of Roberts Bay North were
o 15198 lbyr for Total Nitrogeno 2040 lbyr for Total Phosphorus (TP)o 528467 lbyr for Total Suspended Soils
Remember the recent slimy green algae in Stuart FL Think about adding a recycling dump next toOur Celery Field Regional Stormwater Facility which is a living breathing organism that continues toldquopay backrdquo and protect Sarasota County community and its waters Why would our County risk itsinvestment
I continue to push as I have learned from Sarasota Countys very own mission statement about zoningthat Zonings fundamental purpose is to protect a communitys health safety and welfare It is up to usto hammer this home to our County Commission that they are failing everyone in Sarasota by allowing atravesty such as Gabberts dump to be built next door to our Celery Field
Between the unwitting benefit of eco-tourism and the original intent of why the Celery Field facilitywas built this eco-asset will pay back the county for generations to come We must save Our Celery FieldThankfully I have had the luxury of having a court reporter with me at these county meetings so in theevent our commissioners make the wrong decision in relation to these lands and award Gabbert his dumpwe will be filing an appeal
I encourage all of you to write Sarasotas County Commissioners to let them know you are outragedabout the surplus land sales around Our Celery Field I expect the public hearing for TST Ventures dumpto be scheduled during the summer months By Adrian Lucas
Not a Member See Membership Form On Page 8Act now and become a member of the Sierra Club By joining yoursquoll support vital environmentaladvocacy receive three publications and gain access to local outings member-only adventures and otherrewards More at httptiogasierracluborgmember3htm Join Sierra Clubrsquos new Meetup Group Becomea member and receive information on all meetings outings and actions etc Check it out by visitinghttpwwwmeetupcomManatee-Sarasota-Sierra -Club-Group
Page 5 wwwsierracluborgfloridamanateesarasota
Can a Neighborhood Save a Special Woodland
A good thing about the election of our currentpresident is that many people are realizing that theycanrsquot sit around waiting for the right things tohappen They have to get a move-on
Our small neighborhood (64 homes) each onabout an acre of property in eastern SarasotaCounty learned in early March of the ldquosurplusingrdquoof two pieces of soft hardwood mesic forest locatedon both sides of the entrance to our neighborhooda small road east of Indash75 north of Bee Ridge RoadBee Ridge was recently ldquoimprovedrdquo and is now fourlanes many trees were lost in the process Thesetwo wooded parcels are among the last remainingnatural woodlands in this area Another four-acreparcel of valuable wooded wetlands just to the west
and also abutting our neighborhood is being considered for sale and development as well All three parcelsare owned by Sarasota County
So what can we do The neighbors held a strategy meeting and made several decisions as a group 1)all neighbors were encouraged to write to all five of our County Commissioners who will be making thefinal decision on whether or not to develop these woodlands and 2) a petition would be taken door to doorby a group of volunteers and signed by all our neighbors We canrsquot present the petition here due to lack ofspace but it addressed the following issues 1) safety dangerous new ingressegress 2) habitat destruction3) reduction of natural noise buffers 4) loss of natural drainage control and 5) opportunities for unwelcomeaccess to private property and invitation for trespass
So far more than ninety individuals from our immediate neighborhood (64 homes) and dozens of othercitizens from the county have signed the petition and wersquore not finished yet The next steps will be to mailthe hand-signed petitions to each Commissioner and then to attend the next County Commissionersrsquo meetingon April 25th and speak directly to the Commissioners during the ldquoOpen to the Publicrdquo time
This effort illustrates what we citizens need to do both to make our voices heard and to escape from thepall of disappointment many feel with the election of a decidedly anti-environmental administration inWashington DC
For a copy of the petition email Mary Hasselbring at maryhasselbringhotmailcomWritten by Mary Hasselbring Photo Mary Hasselbring____________________________________________________________________
Bee Ridge and Aberdeen Drive Sarasota
Enviro-Note for the May-June 2017
Rachel Carson was born May 27 1907 Best known as the author of Silent Spring published in 1962 Sheexposed the environmental and human impacts of pesticides specifically DDT She is an inspiration toenvironmental activists today ldquoBut man is a part of nature and his war against nature is inevitably a waragainst himselfrdquo Rachel Carson
Ready For 100 The kickoff Ready for 100 volunteer meeting was an enthusiastic success All25 in attendance were excited to roll up their sleeves and get to work putting thecity of Sarasota on a clean energy path Our initial steps involve getting widespreadcommunity support for the campaign and getting a commitment in the form of aresolution from the Sarasota City Commissioners We will be out in thecommunity building support and collecting signatures for the Ready for 100initiative here in Sarasota In addition we will be presenting the Sierra Ready for100 model to the city commission for approval in early June
Now more than ever we need to act locally to protect our planet from climatechange and the Sierra Ready for 100 plan provides a roadmap for cities across the county to make the transitionto clean energy a reality
If yoursquod like to become a part of our local team or add your name or organization to the list of supportersplease contact lynnsierranilssenus Herersquos a link to petition Sarasota make the 100 transitionhttpbitdoSRQ100 Please sign it
What is the Ready for 100 Campaign The Sierra Ready for 100 campaign is a movement of people workingto inspire our leaders to embrace a vision of healthier communities powered by 100 clean energy For moreinformation httpwwwsierracluborgready-for-100cities-ready-for-100
Page 6wwwsierracluborgfloridamanateesarasota
Controlling Disposable Plastic Bags On Wednesday March 22 the Florida Senate Bill 162 Disposable Plastic Bags proposed by Sen JoseJavier Rodriguez (D-Miami-Dade) received a favorable vote (4 yes 1 no) The Bill to establish a pilot programto allow coastal communities with less than 100000 residents to regulate plastic bags has now been forwardedto Senate Community Affairs CA SJ 243
Although plastic bags can be recycled into different products such as composite lumber containers andpipe only 4 to 7 of collected bags are actually currently recycled Plastic bags are hard to clean and theyclog machinery at recycling plants making them costly and difficult to recycle so about 80 of collectedbags end up being baled and put into landfills where they can leach into soil and groundwater
Uncollected bags blow into rivers lakes and oceans They clog storm drains are ingested by marinemammals and entangle birds causing millions of deaths US Environmental Protection Agency studies reveala synergistic effect between toxic chemicals and plastic debris Plastics absorb toxins such as dioxins fromwater that are transferred to the marine food web and ultimately to human food presenting a risk to humansdomestic pets and wildlife
You can follow the progress of SB 162 at wwwflsenategov and help by calling or writing to State Senatorsto express your support for this bill
Page 7 wwwsierracluborgfloridamanateesarasota
Bad Proposals Continue To Threaten Sarasota Bay Long Bar Pointe is the last unspoiled mangrove shoreline on Sarasota Bay ndash and it needs your help
A new housing development called Aqua by the Bay threatens this irreplaceable treasure It comes upfor a vote at the Manatee County Commission May 4 Please be there call and email the commissioners tourge them to deny the General Development Plan for Aqua by the Bay
The General Development Plan would let Aqua by the Bay 1) Dredge a lagoon 2frac12 miles long rightbehind the mangrove fringe 2) Erect a seawall behind the lagoon 3) Build 2900 homes above the seawall4) Build at least one building 145 feet tall ndash four times the legal limit and 5) Install dozens of docks alongthe shore
Under separate state and federal permits Aqua by the Bay could trim more than a linear mile of flourishingmangrove forest and impose a conservation easement overriding Manatee Countyrsquos authority on its owncoast Aqua by the Bay would incur the following negative impacts It would
Violate a multitude of local wetland protection laws Devastate the mangroves and their ecological function Endanger the healthiest seagrass best shorebird habitat and finest fishing ground on the Bay
and Destroy the character of this peaceful Old Florida coastline
With your support the Manatee County Commission can save the last great place on Sarasota Bay Bysupporting this petition you can show our commissioners that our community stands firm against thisapproval and request they use our land development rules as intended to protect our valuable environmentand deny this development Which do you think is more important to the well being Sarasota Bay
See Petition athttpswwwipetitionscompetitionSave-Longbar-Pointe-on-Sarasota-BayThanks for your helpStuart Smith Co-chair Manatee County Conservation Committee
Proposed Aqua By The Bay White Pelicans
THIS or THIS
Aqua-by-the-Bay-Pix httpwwwheraldtribunecomnews20170410new-plans-for-long-bar-pointe-reignite-debate Braden-ton Herald Tribune April 10 2017
Pelican Pix httpswwwipetitionscompetitionSave-Longbar-Pointe-on-Sarasota-Bay
Page 8 wwwsierracluborgfloridamanateesarasota
ManateeSarasota GroupSierra ClubPO Box 3485 SarasotaFL 342363485
Explore Enjoy and Protect the Planet
NONPROFITORGANIZATION
US POSTAGE PAIDMANASOTA FLPermit NO 510
Page 5 wwwsierracluborgfloridamanateesarasota
Can a Neighborhood Save a Special Woodland
A good thing about the election of our currentpresident is that many people are realizing that theycanrsquot sit around waiting for the right things tohappen They have to get a move-on
Our small neighborhood (64 homes) each onabout an acre of property in eastern SarasotaCounty learned in early March of the ldquosurplusingrdquoof two pieces of soft hardwood mesic forest locatedon both sides of the entrance to our neighborhooda small road east of Indash75 north of Bee Ridge RoadBee Ridge was recently ldquoimprovedrdquo and is now fourlanes many trees were lost in the process Thesetwo wooded parcels are among the last remainingnatural woodlands in this area Another four-acreparcel of valuable wooded wetlands just to the west
and also abutting our neighborhood is being considered for sale and development as well All three parcelsare owned by Sarasota County
So what can we do The neighbors held a strategy meeting and made several decisions as a group 1)all neighbors were encouraged to write to all five of our County Commissioners who will be making thefinal decision on whether or not to develop these woodlands and 2) a petition would be taken door to doorby a group of volunteers and signed by all our neighbors We canrsquot present the petition here due to lack ofspace but it addressed the following issues 1) safety dangerous new ingressegress 2) habitat destruction3) reduction of natural noise buffers 4) loss of natural drainage control and 5) opportunities for unwelcomeaccess to private property and invitation for trespass
So far more than ninety individuals from our immediate neighborhood (64 homes) and dozens of othercitizens from the county have signed the petition and wersquore not finished yet The next steps will be to mailthe hand-signed petitions to each Commissioner and then to attend the next County Commissionersrsquo meetingon April 25th and speak directly to the Commissioners during the ldquoOpen to the Publicrdquo time
This effort illustrates what we citizens need to do both to make our voices heard and to escape from thepall of disappointment many feel with the election of a decidedly anti-environmental administration inWashington DC
For a copy of the petition email Mary Hasselbring at maryhasselbringhotmailcomWritten by Mary Hasselbring Photo Mary Hasselbring____________________________________________________________________
Bee Ridge and Aberdeen Drive Sarasota
Enviro-Note for the May-June 2017
Rachel Carson was born May 27 1907 Best known as the author of Silent Spring published in 1962 Sheexposed the environmental and human impacts of pesticides specifically DDT She is an inspiration toenvironmental activists today ldquoBut man is a part of nature and his war against nature is inevitably a waragainst himselfrdquo Rachel Carson
Ready For 100 The kickoff Ready for 100 volunteer meeting was an enthusiastic success All25 in attendance were excited to roll up their sleeves and get to work putting thecity of Sarasota on a clean energy path Our initial steps involve getting widespreadcommunity support for the campaign and getting a commitment in the form of aresolution from the Sarasota City Commissioners We will be out in thecommunity building support and collecting signatures for the Ready for 100initiative here in Sarasota In addition we will be presenting the Sierra Ready for100 model to the city commission for approval in early June
Now more than ever we need to act locally to protect our planet from climatechange and the Sierra Ready for 100 plan provides a roadmap for cities across the county to make the transitionto clean energy a reality
If yoursquod like to become a part of our local team or add your name or organization to the list of supportersplease contact lynnsierranilssenus Herersquos a link to petition Sarasota make the 100 transitionhttpbitdoSRQ100 Please sign it
What is the Ready for 100 Campaign The Sierra Ready for 100 campaign is a movement of people workingto inspire our leaders to embrace a vision of healthier communities powered by 100 clean energy For moreinformation httpwwwsierracluborgready-for-100cities-ready-for-100
Page 6wwwsierracluborgfloridamanateesarasota
Controlling Disposable Plastic Bags On Wednesday March 22 the Florida Senate Bill 162 Disposable Plastic Bags proposed by Sen JoseJavier Rodriguez (D-Miami-Dade) received a favorable vote (4 yes 1 no) The Bill to establish a pilot programto allow coastal communities with less than 100000 residents to regulate plastic bags has now been forwardedto Senate Community Affairs CA SJ 243
Although plastic bags can be recycled into different products such as composite lumber containers andpipe only 4 to 7 of collected bags are actually currently recycled Plastic bags are hard to clean and theyclog machinery at recycling plants making them costly and difficult to recycle so about 80 of collectedbags end up being baled and put into landfills where they can leach into soil and groundwater
Uncollected bags blow into rivers lakes and oceans They clog storm drains are ingested by marinemammals and entangle birds causing millions of deaths US Environmental Protection Agency studies reveala synergistic effect between toxic chemicals and plastic debris Plastics absorb toxins such as dioxins fromwater that are transferred to the marine food web and ultimately to human food presenting a risk to humansdomestic pets and wildlife
You can follow the progress of SB 162 at wwwflsenategov and help by calling or writing to State Senatorsto express your support for this bill
Page 7 wwwsierracluborgfloridamanateesarasota
Bad Proposals Continue To Threaten Sarasota Bay Long Bar Pointe is the last unspoiled mangrove shoreline on Sarasota Bay ndash and it needs your help
A new housing development called Aqua by the Bay threatens this irreplaceable treasure It comes upfor a vote at the Manatee County Commission May 4 Please be there call and email the commissioners tourge them to deny the General Development Plan for Aqua by the Bay
The General Development Plan would let Aqua by the Bay 1) Dredge a lagoon 2frac12 miles long rightbehind the mangrove fringe 2) Erect a seawall behind the lagoon 3) Build 2900 homes above the seawall4) Build at least one building 145 feet tall ndash four times the legal limit and 5) Install dozens of docks alongthe shore
Under separate state and federal permits Aqua by the Bay could trim more than a linear mile of flourishingmangrove forest and impose a conservation easement overriding Manatee Countyrsquos authority on its owncoast Aqua by the Bay would incur the following negative impacts It would
Violate a multitude of local wetland protection laws Devastate the mangroves and their ecological function Endanger the healthiest seagrass best shorebird habitat and finest fishing ground on the Bay
and Destroy the character of this peaceful Old Florida coastline
With your support the Manatee County Commission can save the last great place on Sarasota Bay Bysupporting this petition you can show our commissioners that our community stands firm against thisapproval and request they use our land development rules as intended to protect our valuable environmentand deny this development Which do you think is more important to the well being Sarasota Bay
See Petition athttpswwwipetitionscompetitionSave-Longbar-Pointe-on-Sarasota-BayThanks for your helpStuart Smith Co-chair Manatee County Conservation Committee
Proposed Aqua By The Bay White Pelicans
THIS or THIS
Aqua-by-the-Bay-Pix httpwwwheraldtribunecomnews20170410new-plans-for-long-bar-pointe-reignite-debate Braden-ton Herald Tribune April 10 2017
Pelican Pix httpswwwipetitionscompetitionSave-Longbar-Pointe-on-Sarasota-Bay
Page 8 wwwsierracluborgfloridamanateesarasota
ManateeSarasota GroupSierra ClubPO Box 3485 SarasotaFL 342363485
Explore Enjoy and Protect the Planet
NONPROFITORGANIZATION
US POSTAGE PAIDMANASOTA FLPermit NO 510
Ready For 100 The kickoff Ready for 100 volunteer meeting was an enthusiastic success All25 in attendance were excited to roll up their sleeves and get to work putting thecity of Sarasota on a clean energy path Our initial steps involve getting widespreadcommunity support for the campaign and getting a commitment in the form of aresolution from the Sarasota City Commissioners We will be out in thecommunity building support and collecting signatures for the Ready for 100initiative here in Sarasota In addition we will be presenting the Sierra Ready for100 model to the city commission for approval in early June
Now more than ever we need to act locally to protect our planet from climatechange and the Sierra Ready for 100 plan provides a roadmap for cities across the county to make the transitionto clean energy a reality
If yoursquod like to become a part of our local team or add your name or organization to the list of supportersplease contact lynnsierranilssenus Herersquos a link to petition Sarasota make the 100 transitionhttpbitdoSRQ100 Please sign it
What is the Ready for 100 Campaign The Sierra Ready for 100 campaign is a movement of people workingto inspire our leaders to embrace a vision of healthier communities powered by 100 clean energy For moreinformation httpwwwsierracluborgready-for-100cities-ready-for-100
Page 6wwwsierracluborgfloridamanateesarasota
Controlling Disposable Plastic Bags On Wednesday March 22 the Florida Senate Bill 162 Disposable Plastic Bags proposed by Sen JoseJavier Rodriguez (D-Miami-Dade) received a favorable vote (4 yes 1 no) The Bill to establish a pilot programto allow coastal communities with less than 100000 residents to regulate plastic bags has now been forwardedto Senate Community Affairs CA SJ 243
Although plastic bags can be recycled into different products such as composite lumber containers andpipe only 4 to 7 of collected bags are actually currently recycled Plastic bags are hard to clean and theyclog machinery at recycling plants making them costly and difficult to recycle so about 80 of collectedbags end up being baled and put into landfills where they can leach into soil and groundwater
Uncollected bags blow into rivers lakes and oceans They clog storm drains are ingested by marinemammals and entangle birds causing millions of deaths US Environmental Protection Agency studies reveala synergistic effect between toxic chemicals and plastic debris Plastics absorb toxins such as dioxins fromwater that are transferred to the marine food web and ultimately to human food presenting a risk to humansdomestic pets and wildlife
You can follow the progress of SB 162 at wwwflsenategov and help by calling or writing to State Senatorsto express your support for this bill
Page 7 wwwsierracluborgfloridamanateesarasota
Bad Proposals Continue To Threaten Sarasota Bay Long Bar Pointe is the last unspoiled mangrove shoreline on Sarasota Bay ndash and it needs your help
A new housing development called Aqua by the Bay threatens this irreplaceable treasure It comes upfor a vote at the Manatee County Commission May 4 Please be there call and email the commissioners tourge them to deny the General Development Plan for Aqua by the Bay
The General Development Plan would let Aqua by the Bay 1) Dredge a lagoon 2frac12 miles long rightbehind the mangrove fringe 2) Erect a seawall behind the lagoon 3) Build 2900 homes above the seawall4) Build at least one building 145 feet tall ndash four times the legal limit and 5) Install dozens of docks alongthe shore
Under separate state and federal permits Aqua by the Bay could trim more than a linear mile of flourishingmangrove forest and impose a conservation easement overriding Manatee Countyrsquos authority on its owncoast Aqua by the Bay would incur the following negative impacts It would
Violate a multitude of local wetland protection laws Devastate the mangroves and their ecological function Endanger the healthiest seagrass best shorebird habitat and finest fishing ground on the Bay
and Destroy the character of this peaceful Old Florida coastline
With your support the Manatee County Commission can save the last great place on Sarasota Bay Bysupporting this petition you can show our commissioners that our community stands firm against thisapproval and request they use our land development rules as intended to protect our valuable environmentand deny this development Which do you think is more important to the well being Sarasota Bay
See Petition athttpswwwipetitionscompetitionSave-Longbar-Pointe-on-Sarasota-BayThanks for your helpStuart Smith Co-chair Manatee County Conservation Committee
Proposed Aqua By The Bay White Pelicans
THIS or THIS
Aqua-by-the-Bay-Pix httpwwwheraldtribunecomnews20170410new-plans-for-long-bar-pointe-reignite-debate Braden-ton Herald Tribune April 10 2017
Pelican Pix httpswwwipetitionscompetitionSave-Longbar-Pointe-on-Sarasota-Bay
Page 8 wwwsierracluborgfloridamanateesarasota
ManateeSarasota GroupSierra ClubPO Box 3485 SarasotaFL 342363485
Explore Enjoy and Protect the Planet
NONPROFITORGANIZATION
US POSTAGE PAIDMANASOTA FLPermit NO 510
Page 7 wwwsierracluborgfloridamanateesarasota
Bad Proposals Continue To Threaten Sarasota Bay Long Bar Pointe is the last unspoiled mangrove shoreline on Sarasota Bay ndash and it needs your help
A new housing development called Aqua by the Bay threatens this irreplaceable treasure It comes upfor a vote at the Manatee County Commission May 4 Please be there call and email the commissioners tourge them to deny the General Development Plan for Aqua by the Bay
The General Development Plan would let Aqua by the Bay 1) Dredge a lagoon 2frac12 miles long rightbehind the mangrove fringe 2) Erect a seawall behind the lagoon 3) Build 2900 homes above the seawall4) Build at least one building 145 feet tall ndash four times the legal limit and 5) Install dozens of docks alongthe shore
Under separate state and federal permits Aqua by the Bay could trim more than a linear mile of flourishingmangrove forest and impose a conservation easement overriding Manatee Countyrsquos authority on its owncoast Aqua by the Bay would incur the following negative impacts It would
Violate a multitude of local wetland protection laws Devastate the mangroves and their ecological function Endanger the healthiest seagrass best shorebird habitat and finest fishing ground on the Bay
and Destroy the character of this peaceful Old Florida coastline
With your support the Manatee County Commission can save the last great place on Sarasota Bay Bysupporting this petition you can show our commissioners that our community stands firm against thisapproval and request they use our land development rules as intended to protect our valuable environmentand deny this development Which do you think is more important to the well being Sarasota Bay
See Petition athttpswwwipetitionscompetitionSave-Longbar-Pointe-on-Sarasota-BayThanks for your helpStuart Smith Co-chair Manatee County Conservation Committee
Proposed Aqua By The Bay White Pelicans
THIS or THIS
Aqua-by-the-Bay-Pix httpwwwheraldtribunecomnews20170410new-plans-for-long-bar-pointe-reignite-debate Braden-ton Herald Tribune April 10 2017
Pelican Pix httpswwwipetitionscompetitionSave-Longbar-Pointe-on-Sarasota-Bay
Page 8 wwwsierracluborgfloridamanateesarasota
ManateeSarasota GroupSierra ClubPO Box 3485 SarasotaFL 342363485
Explore Enjoy and Protect the Planet
NONPROFITORGANIZATION
US POSTAGE PAIDMANASOTA FLPermit NO 510
Page 8 wwwsierracluborgfloridamanateesarasota
ManateeSarasota GroupSierra ClubPO Box 3485 SarasotaFL 342363485
Explore Enjoy and Protect the Planet
NONPROFITORGANIZATION
US POSTAGE PAIDMANASOTA FLPermit NO 510