Pearce Canal State Funding Request -2008

Community Budget Issue Requests – Tracking Id #1869
Pearce Canal Navigational Improvements Conceptual Design and Permitting Feasibility Contract
Requester:		Wendell Taylor			Organization:		Glades County
Project Title:		Pearce Canal Navigational Improvements Conceptual Design and Permitting Feasibility Contract			Date Submitted		1/4/2008 11:09:48 AM
Sponsors:		Alexander
Statewide Interest:
Navigational Access
Recipient:		Glades County			Contact:		Wendell Taylor
		P.O. Box 1018			Contact Phone:		(863) 946-6000
		Moore Haven 33471			Contact email:		wtaylor@myglades.com
Counties:		Glades
Gov’t Entity:		Yes	Private Organization (Profit/Not for Profit):
Project Description:
Pearce Canal Navigational Improvements Conceptual Design and Permitting Feasibility Contract. A thorough title search confirmed that all lands of the Pearce Canal are under ownership of the State of Florida (Trustees of the Internal Improvement Trust Fund). Glades County will initiate a search for an engineering firm to develop a canal improvement conceptual design and initiate all permits required. Glades County is a Rural Area of Economic Concern and low lake levels, due to drought conditions and dike stability concerns, are reducing lake access and the local business economy. The Corps of Engineers’ proposed regulation schedule for Lake Okeechobee indicates lower lake levels will occur more frequently thereby decreasing lake access.
Is this a project related to a federal or state declared disaster?							No
Measurable Outcome Anticipated:
Pearce Canal navigational improvements conceptual design and permit initiation
Amount requested from the State for this project this year:						$250,000
Total cost of the project:			$250,000
Request has been made to fund:				Construction
What type of match exists for this project?					Local
	Cash Amount		$50,000
Was this project previously funded by the state?							No
Is future-year funding likely to be requested?							Yes
	Amount:		$2,500,000		To Fund:		Operations, Construction
Was this project included in an Agency’s Budget Request?							No
Was this project included in the Governor’s Recommended Budget?							No
Is there a documented need for this project?						Yes
	Documentation:		Glades County’s reduced lake access and corresponding revenue losses to local businesses.
Was this project request heard before a publicly noticed meeting of a body of elected officials (municipal, county, or state)?							Yes
	Hearing Body:			Glades County Legislative Delegation
Is this a water project as described in Section 403.885, Laws of Florida?								Yes
Is the project eligible under section 403.885(2),F.S. to protect public health or the environment; and implement plans developed pursuant to the Surface Water Improvement and Management Act created in part IV of Chapter 373,F.S., other water restoration plans required by law, management plans prepared pursuant to 2.403.067,F.S., or other plans adopted by local government for water quality improvement and water restoration?								Yes
Is your project addressed in a state, regional or local plan (such as a SWIM Plan, Comprehensive Plan, Local Master Plan, etc.)?								No
Are requesting funding for a stormwater, surface water restoration, or other water management project?
Yes
In which Water Management District is your project located?
	South Florida Water Management District
Have you provided at least 50% match (that is, one-half the total project cost identified in this request?				No
Will this project reduce pollutant loadings to a water management district designated ‘priority’ surface water body?								No
Is the project under construction?								No
Are you requesting funding for a wastewater project?								No
Are you requesting funding for a drinking water project?								No

Dredge Harney Pond First

Setting the record straight, in case you heard otherwise, I support  dredging the mouth of Harney Pond Canal in Lakeport before dredging the 7-mile Moore Haven Canal as currently planned. Keeping Harney Pond dependable for booking bass tournaments and drawing tourists would do the most good for the most people. It would profit the county’s tax base sooner than an elaborate eco-tourist attraction in Moore Haven estimated to go as high as $13 million.  In these economic times, why let an established fishing resort like Lakeport die for the sake of a new unproven venture elsewhere? The $5 million grant from South Florida Water Management District to provide lake access in Glades County during low water times should not be denied Lakeport.  I oppose the current plan the county has arranged without our public participation in the actual decision making process.  If anyone thinks there’s going to be any money left to  dredge the mouth of Harney Pond after first dredging the Moore Haven Canal, then from the Monkey Box to Point of the Reef, they are dreaming.  I oppose how this grant money is being spent with already $1 million going to engineering of the Moore Haven project alone. In fact, I think it is crappy that Buckhead Ridge is only getting about $1.2 million of the $5 million. If there is a drought after dredging the Pearce Canal these property owners will still not be able to get their boats to the lake.  Why isn’t enough of this money being spent to actually fix their entire problem first since it was BHR people who got the grant for us through their petitions and letter writing? When the money started flowing through the hands of our commission, what do they do?  Gave most of it to Moore Haven. If we knew a year ago, or so, that discussions were already being held in private meetings how to spend the money, if we had been asked what we the voters wanted, this grant money might be spent doing what is fair and logical.  So, I am for dredging Harney Pond next, after they finish the Pearce Canal at BHR. And, what about the property owners and 6 RV resorts on the Rim Canal in Lakeport that can’t get out to the lake through the Lakeport Locks?  What about their property values?  Last of all on the list should have been  the Moore Haven Canal.   How could any commissioner not have seen this?  Dredge Harney Pond next. That’s just common sense.

No Lakeport Request to Legislators planned for Dec. 3rd

The dire consequences of no lake access in Lakeport, Florida during low water times will not be presented at this year’s annual Legislative Delegation meeting on Thursday, December 3^rd.

Lake Access Theatened Again in Lakeport

I was assured last week the legislators (Dave Aronberg, J.D. Alexander and Denise Grimsley) really do want to hear from the general public about our lake access issues and concerns.

But, I also discovered our legislators had already heard about the problems of Lakeport’s lake access in 2007.  And, they had offered their assistance then.

I talked to Maureen Bradley who led the effort in Buckhead Ridge to get Pearce Canal dredged. She battled apathy and indifference from our local officials for months. She had been the first to contact our legislators.  Petitions and letters were signed by hundreds of BHR residents. Our legislators, especially Denise Grimsley, listened to Bradley.

Then, finally, at the Legislative Delegation Hearing in the fall of 2007, the Glades County Board of Commissioners made an oral request for legislative assistance to obtain federal funds for Lake Okeechobee Access.

In 2008, our legislators did influence the Governing Board of the South Florida Water Management District to provide generous funds to aid our three communities on Glades County’s  Lake “O” waterfront  (see Post Nov. 22 )

In November 2008, the SFWMD signed a contract with Glades County granting $5 million dollars to be distributed at one million a year for five years to solve problems of lake access in Buckhead Ridge, Lakeport and Moore Haven.  In that order.

 So, you see, the legislators and SFWMD did their job to help Glades County. Our County Commission happily accepted the $5 mill agreement to aid all three communities. (Lakeport’s Dyess Ditch  was included initially due to the concern of Glades County Commissioner Donna Storter Long for our lake access, but that could have been changed.)

By March of 2009, Glades County officials stopped talking about aiding Lakeport. The current plans for the SFWMD funds are dredging Pearce Canal first, and they deserve to be first.  Without BHR residents speaking out, nothing would have happened.  They get $1.2 million.

But now the Glades County Commission is skipping over Lakeport and backing a much more expensive plan to dredge the 6 mile Moore Haven Canal next. Dredging the mouth of Harney Pond Canal has been tacked on to the end of the Moore Haven Canal Improvement Project, and so it will be last even though there is much less to dredge.  Even though it is more threatened by droughts.

Moore Haven is to receive approximately $4 million of the $5 million to further the proposed $13 million Moore Haven Canal Improvement Project, if the Glades County Commission has its way. They recently allocated the funds that specific way in the county’s  new 5-year Capital Improvement Plan.  Nothing for Lakeport.

No one stood up for Lakeport at county commission meetings, not too long ago the most profitable and productive tourist town in Glades County, the only community with adequate cabins, motel rooms and condos for lodging (8 facilities) and restaurants (6) and bars with country music, RV parks (11), gas stations, bait and tackle stores, and Seminole PRCA rodeos and casino nearby that draw more avid bass fishermen, bass clubs, duck hunters and hog hunters and their families to spend money in Lakeport more than any other town in Glades County.

Not many residents of Lakeport even knew there was money made available to possibly dredge the mouth of Harney Pond first, before Moore Haven Canal.  Somehow the word never got out.

During low water times boaters can get out of Moore Haven through McTush Channel. This winter, as the drought lengthens, Harney Pond Canal will once again be impassable for boaters.  It may be our economic death as a fishing resort. More businesses will suffer. More property owners will suffer.  Real estate values will suffer.

The question is why? Why is Lakeport getting the short end of the stick? Why is the economic potential and history of Lakeport tourism being ignored? Is there any way to change this before its too late? I think so. I really do.  But only if we start talking about this now before all the $$$ is gone.

To read more, read related articles in ”Politics in Rural America” in the right column.

Meeting Notes show Lakeport Lake Access Ignored

 When the subject of funding for Lakeport lake access projects gradually disappeared in the minutes of commission meetings, it went unnoticed. See the discussions of the Glades County Commissioners and how the distribution of $4 million dollars of South Florida Water Management District’s grant for lake access projects are all going to Moore Haven now even though the WMD Resolution (see my earlier posts)had proposed Lakeport for economic assistance as well.

October 27, 2008

 9.         Request for Qualifications – Pearce Canal (This item was                                     added by amendment to the agenda)

 County Manager Taylor stated Attorney Pringle had prepared the Request for Qualifications, a copy of which had been included in each Commissioner’s packet.  He stated this Request for Qualifications would cover work to be done on various projects in Lake Okeechobee .  He stated the process would begin with Pearce Canal then the Moore Haven Canal and Dyess Ditch Projects.  

 ON MOTION of Vice Chairman Echols seconded by Commissioner Jones the Board approved the Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for Professional Services for the Pearce Canal Project. 

 Commissioner Storter Long questioned the spelling of Pearce (Pierce in the documents) Canal.  Commissioner Giesler stated Pearce was misspelled throughout the RFQ. 

 County Manager Taylor stated he would make the Water Management District aware of the misspelling.

 November 10^{th, 2008}

 8.         Contract:  North Shore Lake Okeechobee Navigation Channel   Improvements Project

 County Manager Taylor stated this (SFWMD) contract had been long awaited.  He requested approval and authorization for Chairman Beck to sign. (SEE THE RESOLUTION IN EARLIER POSTS)

ON MOTION of Commissioner Storter Long seconded by Commissioner Giesler the Board approved the Contract Agreement for the North Shore Lake Okeechobee Navigation Channel Improvement Projects and authorized the Chairman to sign.

 Motion carried by 5 – 0 vote.

 December 9, 2008

 COUNTY ATTORNEY

 Attorney Pringle stated he had attended a seminar yesterday in which a lot of issues, such as the Sunshine Law, public records, and the role of the Board had been discussed.  He commended the Board on the work they had done in the previous years.  He stated the Board was now the policy maker and overseer of the County’s endeavors.  He stated the County Manager was able to work well with the Board and implement the policies that they adopted.  He stated the Board had come a long way.  He stated he would be bringing a RFQ (Request for Qualifications) for Engineering & Professional Services for the Moore Haven Canal and Dyess Ditch to the Board in January.  He stated the RFQ would be very similar to the one for Pearce Canal .  He wished everyone a Merry Christmas.  

Chairman Echols thanked Attorney Pringle for helping the Board achieve their goal of being a policy making Board.

(Now Lakeport is gone)

 January 13, 2009

 11.       Request for Qualifications:  Professional Services/Moore Haven  Canal

 County Manager Taylor stated this request was very similar to what the Board had done on the Pearce Canal .  He stated Pearce Canal work had begun.  He stated the Board needed to hire a professional survey/engineer firm to do the survey, design and permitting work for the Moore Haven Canal so that work could begin on the project.

 ON MOTION of Commissioner Beck seconded by Commissioner Giesler the Board approved the advertisement of a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for work on the Moore Haven Canal .  (See Exhibit D)

 Motion carried by 5 – 0 vote.

 March 10^th

 COUNTY MANAGER

 County Manager Taylor added several comments regarding the pre-bid conference held last Friday in Buckhead Ridge.  He stated there were 11 potential bidders present and that these bidders had been able to look at the site at Yankee Point and the Pearce Canal .  He stated the Engineer was also present to answer any questions the bidders had. 

 County Manager Taylor commented on the meeting held regarding the Moore Haven Canal.  He stated he, Chairman Echols, Mayor Whidden, Gary Ritter (SFWMD), Missie Barletto (SFWMD), Mr. Hull, Mr. Whidden from AIM Engineering, the concept Engineer and a note taker were present.  He stated the local media was also present and had written a nice article in last week’s paper.  He stated he felt that he would be able to bring back a contract with AIM Engineering for the design, permitting, etc. within the next few weeks.  He stated it would take approximately 6 months to obtain the permit.  He stated the Pearce Canal project should be completed by the end of September. 

  COUNTY ATTORNEY

 Attorney Pringle stated the Request for Bid Proposals for the Pearce Canal construction element had been released for the maintenance/dredging work.  He stated a mandatory pre-bid meeting had been held in Buckhead Ridge and 11 potential responders had attended.  He stated South Florida Water Management District had been involved from the start and was pleased with what he and County Manager Taylor had accomplished to date.  He stated things were progressing quickly with this project.

Attorney Pringle stated he was proceeding with contract negotiations on the Moore Haven Canal with the Board’s Professional Engineering first ranked firm (AIM Engineering).  He stated this project was also moving along quickly, again with a great deal of cooperation from the Water Management District. 

Attorney Pringle stated he was continuing to work on the local bidder preference Ordinance. 

 

Dyess Ditch Controversy; commissioner evasion

One year ago the Glades County Commssioners decided to hire an engineering firm to study ‘drainage” (or dredging ) of the Pearce Canal in Buckhead Ridge, Dyess Ditch in Lakeport and the Moore Haven Canal.  (that was the Oct. 27th meeting) The funding would be made available at $1 million a year for five years for engineering and construction costs from a generous grant from SFWMD. The commissioners asked the county attorney Mr. Pringle to prepare/obtain proposals from engineering firms to do the studies.  At the December meeting Pringle said he would present proposals for the studies by engineering firms for Moore Haven and Lakeport at the January 2009 meeting. He did not. At the MArch 2009 meeting , Pringle did present the engineering proposals for studies of Pearce Canal and Moore Haven. Dyess Ditch and Lakeport was not mentioned. And has never been mentioned again. Tonight the county commission is voting to approve a Capital Improvement Plan for the next five years. The Plan will be sent to the state. On this plan on page 63, it lists the Pearce and Moore Haven canal as a drainage projects using the SFWMD $5 million grant monies. Nothing about Dyess Ditch or Lakeport.  The plan can be seen by downloading the county agenda for tonight’s meeting at myglades.com and looking at the pdf file of the first item on the agenda. I called Lakeport’s CommissionerPaul Beck and asked why Dyess Ditch is no longer on the agenda for rehab/drainage work and he didn’t know. Beck said “I thought it was.” He said “well. it at least deserves honorable mention.”

Dredging Dyess Ditch or the Mouth of Harney Pond? What’s best for Glades County’s economy?

It isn’t a matter of choosing one over the other. That’s not why I posted the SFWMD Memorandum on yesterday’s post. You can add to the list of lake access problems in Lakeport ,the s131 canal out of the Lakeport Locks as well. These are three vital canals out to the lake located closest to gas, bait and tackle, convenience stores, restaurants, RV parks and lodging in this small fishing resort of Lakeport, Florida. There may be debate amongst fisherfolk which canals should be funded for dredging projects or improvements.  A focus group in our community to study these issues would have been useful.  Glades County is already supporting Chairman Russ Echols plan for dredging the Moore Haven Canal and the mouth of Harney Pond. Excellent plan and worthy of support. However, that s not the whole solution for Lakeport. I was questioned what right I have to be writing about these matters? Since I don’t fish nor own a boat I was criticised for interfering about things I don’t know anything about or understand. Well, I would like to understand because I am a property owner and have a vested interest in the Lakeport economy.  It is wonderful that Moore Haven has an exciting  plan and there seems to be unity in their community about it. Time for Lakeport residents to have a plan, too.  And, I do understand this: the problems of lake access to Lake “O” is as much mine as the fisherfolk.

SFWMD Passed Resolution to help with Lake Access In Glades County

A Memorandum to the Governing Board of South Florida Water Management District on November 10th, one year ago, correctly identified the consequences of no lake access in Lakeport during low water times, as well as other Glades County communities. They realize it does cause a negative impact on our economy and they passed a resolution to fund lake access projects.  As you read this Memorandum and Resolution notice the references to Dyess Ditch as one of the access points suggested for rehabilitation. Since one year ago has the public heard about this suggestion? Has it been discussed, debated or announced to us by our elected officials? It seems most of us in Lakeport have not been or were not informed. Apparently it was talked about in the public meetings of the Glades County Commission and reported in the Glades County Democrat. First I heard of it. How about you?

M E M O R A N D U M

TO: Governing Board Members

FROM: Deena Reppen, Deputy Executive Director, Government & Public Affairs

DATE: November 10, 2008

SUBJECT: North Shore Lake Okeechobee Navigation Channel Improvements (Contract #4600001552)

Background: Glades County is located on the western shore of Lake Okeechobee and bordered by the Caloosahatchee River to the south. It has a large influx of part time residents who enjoy the fishing and nature activities associated with its location. Storms and droughts over the past several years have affected the population with a decline in workforce beginning in 2002 and only showing a slight increase in 2006. The tourism industry supports RV parks and small resorts associated with Lake Okeechobee. The small fishing resorts are challenged with no access to the lake at most of their locations during periods of low water.

This project will assist Glades County enhance recreational opportunities on Lake Okeechobee by providing funding for maintenance dredging of the Pearce Canal and Dyess Ditch, as well as a dredging and recreational enhancement project in the Moore Haven Canal through a 5-year Local Government Agreement. The first installment of $1 million will be used to complete the dredging of 3 miles of Pearce Canal producing approximately 27,500 cubic yards of spoil material, complete the design and engineering for Dyess Ditch, and initiate the design and construction for Moore Haven Canal. Glades County will be responsible for choosing a contractor, providing construction management and engineering certification of completion of work on the Pearce Canal and Dyess Ditch projects. On the Moore Haven Canal, Glades County will provide the same services, in addition to choosing an engineering firm to design the project and obtain necessary permitting. Continued maintenance of these navigation channels may be performed by the Florida Inland Navigation District.

How does this item help meet the District’s 10 year strategic plan: Providing this community development assistance will result in navigational and recreational improvements, and outreach opportunities which are elements of the Lake Okeechobee Protection Plan and the Northern Everglades Initiative.

Funding Source: The District will provide $5 million of ad valorem funding at $1 million per year over a five-year period, pending Governing Board approval of future funding availability. The state has appropriated $250,000 in FY 09 funding directly to Glades County for this project.

This Board item impacts what areas of the District, both resource areas and geography: This is a project that will impact Glades County, the City of Moore Haven, the communities of Buckhead Ridge and Lakeport, Lake Okeechobee and the Northern Everglades programs. Resource areas impacted are Government and Public Affairs, Watershed Management and Everglades Restoration.

What concerns could this Board item raise? This assistance could be seen as setting a precedent that is not within the District’s area of responsibility. Although 2008 legislation has made it possible that one of the Florida Inland Navigation Districts can take on continued responsibility for the maintenance of these navigation channels, this is not guaranteed.

Why should the Governing Board approve this item? The District is committed to providing access to water resources for the recreational needs of Florida’s citizens. Providing support for local government initiatives to preserve and develop economic enterprises in those communities within the South Central Rural Area of Critical Economic Concern also is within the District’s role as a member of the state Rural Economic Development Initiative. This project will help Glades County to achieve its goal of preserving current home values by ensuring future lake access during low water times to its residents, as well as developing opportunities for future recreation-based economic development.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call me at extension 6232.

DR/mb

Attachment: Resolution

On November 13, 2008,  the Governing Board of the South Florida Water Management District acknowledged the value of our RV Resorts and Fishing economy and pledged their support of lake access for our communities when they approved the following resolution:

SOUTH FLORIDA WATER MANAGEMENT DISTRICT

RESOLUTION NO. 2008-

A RESOLUTION OF THE GOVERNING BOARD OF THE SOUTH FLORIDA WATER

MANAGEMENT DISTRICT TO AUTHORIZE ENTERING INTO A FIVE (5) YEAR

COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT WITH GLADES COUNTY TO FUND MAINTENANCE

DREDGING OF THE PEARCE CANAL AND DYESS DITCH, AS WELL AS A DREDGING

AND RECREATIONAL ENHANCEMENT PROJECT IN THE MOORE HAVEN CANAL, IN THE

TOTAL AMOUNT OF $5,000,000 FOR WHICH $1,000,000 OF AD VALOREM FUNDS ARE

BUDGETED, AND THE REMAINDER IS SUBJECT TO GOVERNING BOARD APPROVAL

OF THE FY10-FY13 BUDGETS, PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE. (CONTRACT NUMBER

4600001552) (MISSIE BARLETTO, EXT. 3006)

WHEREAS, the Governing Board of the South Florida Water Management District deems it necessary,

appropriate and in the public interest to authorize entering into a five (5) year cooperative agreement with

Glades County to fund maintenance dredging of the Pearce Canal and Dyess Ditch, as well as a dredging and

recreational enhancement project in the Moore Haven Canal, in the total amount of $5,000,000 for which

$1,000,000 of ad valorem funds are budgeted, and the remainder is subject to Governing Board approval of

the FY10-FY13 budgets, providing an effective date. (Contract Number 4600001552) (Missie Barletto, ext.

3006) and;

NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Governing Board of the South Florida Water

Management District:

Section 1. The Governing Board of the South Florida Water Management District hereby authorizes the

execution of 4600001552 with GLADES COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS.

Section 2. This resolution shall take effect immediately upon adoption.

PASSED and ADOPTED this _____________ day of __________________, 2008.

SOUTH FLORIDA WATER MANAGEMENT DISTRICT,

BY ITS GOVERNING BOARD

By:

Chair

ATTEST:

By:

District Clerk/Secretary

Approved as to form:

By:

28-OCT-2008 09:42:00 4600001552 Page 1

Where does Lake Access fit in state eco-planning ?

At recent meetings of the Glades County Commission and Tourist Development Council our county participation in the Lake Okeechobee Regional Initiative has been touted by some officials as a possible opportunity to address the problems of Lake Access in Lakeport. It was reported by our governmental officials that the subject was introduced at meetings held at a think-tank in Miami called the Collins Center for Public Policy. This study group is being funded by SFWMD and tax payer $$ due to taking out so much sugar cane land for Everglades Restoration.  Its mission simply is to study economic impacts and what can be done to relieve them. The boat ramp at Harney Pond Canal , and other access points, is an important tourism site for all of Glades County yet there is no mention of these eco-elements in their initiative thus far.  The lake not only attracts huge numbers of fisherfolk who spend a lot of money, but nature lovers who enjoy boating and photography as well. Yes, it has been said the lake access problem was brought up at these Miami meetings and you can see who is on this committee, our elected and beuracratic officals who represent us. I am copying the link and the main page here about the Lake Okeechobee Regional Initiative for you to view.  LORI

You can be sure agriculture interests are being thoroughly represented, as usual. To view the mission of the Collins Center follow this link in blue to the home page.  I can see at this stage these meetings are so far fruitless for real action on lake Access without political pressure from the citizens of Glades County to insist the topic is studied. That is why it is important for large numbers of our citizenry to show up Dec. 3rd at 2 p.m. at the Legislative Delegation meeting. We need to speak out about the fishing (and duck hunting) tourism industry in Glades County that is being neglected and overlooked in some obvious ways which I will continue to inform you about in my next blog.

Dec. 3 important date to present Lakeport’s Lake Access Issue

An organized group of Lakeport residents have the opportunity to voice their concerns about Lake Access to their legislators on Dec. 3rd at the Legislative Delegation public hearings at 2.p.m. at the Glades County Commission Chambers. Several Lakeport spokesperson’s will have 5 minutes to explain how the economy of Glades County and Lakeport were impacted during the drought due to inability to get boats in and out of Harney Pond Canal and the S131 channel at the Lakeport Locks. (S131 is also known by locals as Turner’s Ditch.) We are looking at possible drought conditions this year that can once again affect the Lakeport economy. Currently Turner’s Ditch remains plugged up and this condition not only devalues the homes on the Lakeport Locks rim canal and RV resorts ,but spills over to all commercial interests and home ownership even if you don’t live on the rim canal. Property values are affected and that affects the spirit of this community. It is time to address this issue as a community for the future good of our fishing economy and home values. In a meeting at the Lakeport Community Center in October, Chairman Russel Echols urged Lakeport residents to start a grassroots movement to seek the aid of our legislators regarding these issues. County officials assure us they are talking about lake access problems in governmental-type meetings but, from my experience, there is no bigger influence than voter influence. The Legislative Delegation is more responsive to the needs of their constituents when a large number of voters share common concerns. It is crucial that many voters in Glades County attend this meeting to show their concerns about  Lake Access.  Buckhead Ridge and Moore Haven are already working toward better Lake Access. Commissioner Echols has a solution for dredging the mouth of Harney Pond Canal but the Department of Environmental Protection’s permit process is so slow and they need persuasion from our legislators to get this work done in a timely manner. There is nothing being proposed for the Lakeport Locks and that is an issue important to address. In the coming week I am going to blog more about this issue to explain all the considerations involved.  Any comments you can make to help add to the dialogue will be considered in preparing a plea for our legislators to take back to Tallahassee. They are J.D. Alexander, Denise Grimsley and Dave Aronberg. Getting help to solve our Lake Access takes work. Right now there is no urgency or pressure for the Army Corp of Engineers to work with South Florida Water Management District and the Fish and Game Commission to solve this problem. Without a mandate and funding from the Legislature and the Governor they can not or will not act. Please plan to attend the Dec. 3rd meeting. Please send this blog to as many people as you can or tell them about it. I am easy to reach by email and feel free to do so.

Solar Energy Response From Glades County Commissioner

In questioning the resolution regarding solar plants coming up at the Glades County Commission meeting Nov. 10th, some blogs other than mine reposted the information and it resulted in some related email correspondance. Here is further clarification of the purpose of the resolution.

---

Hello Susan and Margaret,

 

I spoke with Wendell Taylor about the draft solar energy resolution [that he authored] and the purpose he stated is to “have it in hand” when our legislative delegation meets December 3 @ 2pm.

 

Any permit application to actually construct any kind of power plant in Glades will have to be officially advertised for a Public Hearing before the Glades County Board of County Commissioners [BoCC].  .

 

In 2006, Glades BoCC’s Resolution 2006-23 supported the coal-fired power park.  But at that time, Glades County Land Development Regulations required no officially advertised Public Hearing before the BoCC to site a power plant in Glades County .

 

Since then, Glades County BoCC adopted Ordinance 2008-20 on July 28, 2008 amending the Glades County Land Development Regulations.  Now, construction of any power plant in Glades County requires a Public Hearing before the Glades County Board of County Commissioners , where public input will be included.

 

The resolution draft we are looking at Tuesday supports the concept of developing and constructing large solar energy power plants, but does not in itself grant any specific permit.  You can be very sure that County Manager Wendell Taylor will conscientiously ensure adherence to all Glades County Ordinances.

 

Resolutions, unlike ordinances, do not create enforceable situations, but are really just a written declaration of the BoCC’s consensus on a topic. 

 

In my opinion, a couple of the “whereas” in this resolution are ambiguous at best but in reality do no harm—e.g. in my opinion, the fourth whereas would read better as, “WHEREAS Glades County recognizes that solar energy in Florida is intrinsically clean energy”. 

 

The fifth “whereas” contains no language tying it to anything else in the resolution and mentions nothing about solar energy.  I don’t know if something was omitted, but if it stays, it should somehow include language directly relevant to solar energy.  I don’t know what “taxes are paid to its constituents” he is referring to here.  Perhaps stating, “WHEREAS Glades County recognizes the economic benefit to its constituents and to all of Florida ’s communities when tax revenue is increased by development of property with solar energy power plants,”

 

At any rate, in my opinion, expansion of solar energy production is a giant step for the “greening” of Florida , and Glades County .

 

Donna

 

“When we pay an ounce of principle

for a pound of acceptance,

we get badly cheated.”

 

Donna Storter Long (R)

Glades County Commissioner

863.673.2661-Cell 158*17*36430-Nextel

 P Think Green & please, 

print this e-mail only if necessary. Please note: 

Florida has a broad public records law and all

correspondence relating to Glades County business,

including email addresses, may be  subject to disclosure.