| 16 July 2008
Lake Worth Pier, a top fishing destination for SE coastal anglers, will soon reopen. Let's make sure fish are still there.
Lake Worth Commissioners and Mayor voted unanimously last night to become part of the effort to protect its pier, beaches and reefs from the effects of a planned dredge and fill of Reach 8. Lake Worth will join the suit to stop the 'renourishment' project planned by the City of Palm Beach.
It was determined that this project is a very short term solution to the long term problem of building on Florida's coastline where sands ebb and flow from north to south driven by storm and tide. Its' the belief by all parties including the City of Lake Worth that its important to come up with a solution that will not damage the varied and rich sealife that occupies Reach 8 .
Terry Gibson, of Surfriders and Shallow Water Angler, pointed out his objections: "Just about everywhere they've done this (renourishment) in southeast Florida, the vitality of the beach, from the things that live in the beach to the clarity of the water to reef communities to even the social fabric of the human communities that use it has changed and never for the better."
The Surfrider Foundation, The Snook Foundation and three citizens filed a petition in March to block the re nourishment project. Members of the foundation were deposed this month and The City of Palm Beach has earmarked $2million to fight for the right to dump fill on the portion of the beach, a move they believe is environmentally sound.
Paul Brazil, Palm Beach's Director of Public Works made the town's case to Lake Worth, at last night's Commissioners meeting, pointing out the goal of the project is to provide storm protection for some 6,000 residents. It was later pointed out that there are only 132 ground floor residences that are at risk from water damage. It was also mentioned that buildings built on the very edge of the Atlantic are perhaps too close to the waters edge because violent storms are one of the facts of life in Florida. Mr. Brazil said that the life expectancy of the dredge is at best only six years.
More Reports
- Lake Worth: No thanks, Sandy Clause
- Lake Worth joins Surfrider, Snook foundation challenge to Palm Beach Reach 8 dredging project
The Snook Foundation gives kudos to the City of Lake Worth commissioners for their stand on this important issue. We are ready to assist the City of Palm Beach in any way possible to find alternate solutions that will not damage the ecology, sea creatures and hard bottom of Reach 8.
An administrative law judge will start hearing arguments for and against the project August 26th unless there's a settlement before then.
Thanks go to Ericka D'Avanzo of Surfriders, Terry Gibson of SurfRiders and SWA, Capt. Danny Barrow, petetioner and Snook Foundation member, Tom warnke, Surfriders and Brett Fitzgerald SE regional Director of Snook Foundation for their hard work and diligence in protecting South Florida natural resources. We urge anglers to take a stand on behalf of FLorida's ecology especially when damage may be done to juvenile fish habitat.
