THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AND GROWTH MANAGEMENT DEPARTMENT, THE ENVIRONMENTAL PLANNING AND COMMUNITY RESILIENCE DIVISION (EPCRD) AND THE PARKS AND RECREATION DIVISION RECOMMEND APPROVAL OF THE ABOVE MOTION.
This item supports the Board’s value of encouraging investments in renewable energy, sustainable practices and environmental protection, and the related goal to educate the public about the fragile South Florida ecosystems, impacts of severe weather, sea level rise, and climate change. Construction of a manatee observation platform will provide a way to bring a greater awareness of the manatees and their natural environment to the public, while encouraging conservation and the wise use of resources.
On June 26, 2007, the Board of County Commissioners approved the Manatee Protection Plan (Item No. 49), which consists of three components: Boating Safety, Education and Awareness, and Boat Facility Siting Plan. Through the Education and Awareness Component, EPCRD has installed signage about manatees and boating practices at all the public boat ramps within the County and conducts outreach programs at appropriate events and County park facilities.
Through aerial surveys of manatees in the County’s waterways, it has been found that hundreds of manatees use the South Fork New River during the winter to reach a warm refuge within the County. This stretch of the South Fork New River passes directly by one of the County parks, Secret Woods Nature Center, whose staff conduct manatee education events. This amendment funds the design and construction of a manatee-viewing platform that will improve interpretive opportunities and non-intrusive viewing of the manatees as they swim past. The current low profile of the Nature Center’s dock makes the direct observation of the manatees difficult. The elevated observation platform will greatly improve the ability to see the manatees and therefore facilitate the effectiveness of the educational programs, provide enhanced environmental learning opportunity for all visitors to the Nature Center, and expand current eco-tourism opportunities within the County.
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