Gulf Oil Slick 2010
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Artificial Reef
in Daytona Beach
Posted on 05.02.09
by Munz
There will be a Surfrider meeting Monday May 4, 2009 7pm @ Lulu's in Ormond Beach regarding the position of Surfrider on multipurpose artificial reefs. There seems to be a slight difference of opinion. Below are 2 emails, the first from our Local Chapter and the second from Ericka D’Avanzo, Surfrider Foundation's Florida Regional Manager. Looks to be a very important meeting for all of us, hope to see you there.
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Volusia/Flagler Surfrider Foundation
Apr 29
subject: You don't want to miss this Surfrider meeting
Aloha Surfriders,
The next Surfrider meeting will be your chance to help shape the direction of the Volusia/Flagler chapter. Coraggio Maglio (Volusia/Flagler Surfrider) and Erika Davanzo (Surfrider Florida Regional Manager) will advocate for two opposing positions in a debate style presentation on Multipurpose Reefs. Multipurpose reefs can mitigate beach erosion while providing surf, dive and fishing recreation. Coraggio will argue that our chapter should support multipurpose reefs. Come to the meeting on Monday, May 4th at 7pm at Lulu's near the corner of A1A and Granada to learn about the reefs, hear Corragio's position and also learn from Erika why Surfrider's National Chapter does not support them.
Coraggio has summarized the position for multipurpose reefs this way:
It is my understanding that the individual Surfrider chapters are free to support whatever local initiatives they collectively believe in so long as they do not violate national policies, which are typically guidelines. I further believe choosing to endorse the idea of a feasibility study being performed on this proposed Multipurposes Reef concept will not go against any national policy but in fact will be in keeping with the original intent of the founders of Surfrider.
This is sure to be one of the most interesting meetings of the year. Come on out and cast your vote to decide our local chapter's direction.
V/F Surfrider Executive Committee
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Volusia/Flagler Surfrider Foundation
Apr 30
Dear VF Chapter members,
Since email message below is largely skewed to one person’s opinion and not a balanced email as chapter emails should be, I felt it prudent to clarify Surfrider Foundation Policy, which applies to any Chapter campaign/initiative. Below is our current policy on artificial surfing reef technology. This statement has been carefully developed after much international and scientific research among a number of experts and feedback from surfing communities and officials who have been unfortunately let down by proposed surfing reef technology. In conjunction, our Beach Preservation Policy clearly states that “Under no circumstances does the Surfrider Foundation support the installation of stabilization or sand retention structures along the coastline.”
Policy on Artificial Surfing Reefs
February 6, 2005
"The Surfrider Foundation opposes any degradation or depletion of existing artificial or natural wave-riding resources due to the development of man made structures or activities in the coastal zone. In all instances, any development that results in the loss of the resource must be avoided.
If experimental or artificial reefs are constructed, to restore already lost or damaged wave-riding resources, a thorough environmental impact analysis along with a monitoring and research component must be an integral part of the process. This must include baseline and long-term post project monitoring of nearshore coastal processes, ecological impacts and recreational conditions."
All policies can be found on the Surfrider Foundation website. The chapter can and should submit the above statement as written to the Daytona Commission since the Commission has already approved moving forward with a feasibility study, but any mention of direct endorsement of artificial reef technology is not appropriate at this time.
There will not be a “debate” at the next chapter meeting, this was not the intention of my visit. If the Chapter as a whole feels at this next meeting that it should do more than request protective standards for the feasibility study, a formal request for presentation will have to be made by the Chapter to the National Boards of Directors for permission. In the mean time any questions can be sent directly to our Environmental Director at [email protected]
I look forward to meeting some new faces next week.
Cheers!
Ericka D’Avanzo
Florida Regional Manager
Surfrider Foundation
660 NE Ocean Blvd
Stuart, FL 34996
Phone: (772) 924-4144
Fax: (772)872-3050
Email: [email protected]
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Artificial Surf Reef
in Daytona Beach
Posted on 03.10.09
by Munz
Today, in a Beach Advisory board meeting at the new lifeguard towers where John Hearin of ASR “Amalgamates Solutions and Research”, gave a presentation on an artificial surf reef for erosion prevention and recreational uses such as surfing, diving, and fishing. You can check out ASR@ http://www.asrltd.co.nz/innovation_reef.htm
The reef would be made of geotextile tubes filled with sand. The reef will become a living reef with plant and animal life. It would be placed about 200 to 300 yards offshore. The top would be about 3 feet below mean sea level. The reef would be marked by buoys for navigation. The reef could be up to 300 yards long and protect a mile of Daytona Beach shoreline.
The local vibe of the surf community is positive and in full support. The Beach advisory board is also very positive. Josh Wagner, District 2 on the Volusia County Council, was present and in full support of the surf reefs. The meeting ended with the board to move ahead with preliminary steps. If approved it could take up to 1yr for a “feasibility study” before construction could begin. If all goes well in 2 years we could be surfing on a world class artificial.
The Marine Science Center's
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On Saturday, April 19, 2008, the Marine Science Center in Ponce Inlet held its 6th Annual Turtle Day. The Marine Science Center, tucked away under the Ponce de Leon Lighthouse, is an environmental learning center that rehabilitates sick and injured sea turtles and sea birds and teaches its visitors about a variety of marine life; however, this Saturday's event was just for the turtles.
It was the perfect 'weekend weather'. The sound of music drifted through the air. Nestled in a small clearing of trees, was a tiny 'village' of 10-15 assorted tents, informative booths and educational exhibits. The event was fully staffed with Marine Science Center employees and volunteers, who were very knowledgeable and happily answered visitor's questions. Activities included educational lectures, a live butterfly exhibit, kite flying demonstrations, face painting, and crafts for the kids. There were also food vendors and booths with Turtle Day souvenirs for sale. Students from a local elementary school made necklaces and other handmade crafts to sell to raise money for their school's 'Save the Turtles' campaign. There was a raffle with a grand prize of a Mad Dog surfboard, valued at $250.00; proceeds from the raffle went to The Friends of the Marine Science Center. Guests could visit the turtle viewing area, which overlooks several large basins holding rehabilitating turtles with names like, 'Twitchy' and 'Phoebe'. The Center gave its visitors free reign of their educational classroom lab, where visitors could see preserved insect specimens, a live coral reef, a salt water aquarium with mangrove exhibit, a informational video, and even check out microscope station with assorted items to examine, like a sand dollar, snake skin, and shark 'denticles'. Visitors could also enjoy the Marine Science Center's gift shop with tons of turtle 'treasures' and with live animal exhibits next door.
The festivities were finished off at Winterhaven Park, with the release of several pelicans and sea gulls, a green sea turtle and a 175 lbs. loggerhead sea turtle named, 'Old Boots', who was brought to the Marine Science Center last year after encountering red tide. There was a slew of on-lookers, some had attended Turtle Day at the Marine Science Center, while others were just enjoying day at the beach and noticed the crowd forming. The spectators formed two lines and made a V-shaped runway for the turtles and Marine Center staff. The crowd's anticipation grew as it got closer to the scheduled release time, and just as the clock struck 3 o'clock, a fleet of vehicles appeared in the distance. The vehicles parked and Marine Science Center staff and volunteers emerged to unload the precious cargo. First, the birds were released, then the star of the show, 'Old Boots', was carried down to the shore in a special turtle sling. The crowd took pictures and cheered as each animal was released back into its natural habitat. Most people were surprised when a Marine Center staff member announced, "We're not done yet", and returned to the trucks to get one more release-ee, a green turtle. The release was a complete success with all of the animals returning safely to the air and sea.
Turtle Day is an educational and informative event, and an unique experience. For more information on Turtle Day visit http://marinesciencecenter.com/turtleday08.htm, and if you would like more information on the Marine Science Center visit http://marinesciencecenter.com. The Marine Science Center is located at 100 Lighthouse Drive, Ponce Inlet, Florida 32127, telephone number (386) 304-5545, and is open Tuesday-Saturday 10am-4pm, Sunday 12pm-4pm, and they are closed Monday. Admission was free on Turtle Day, but regular admission runs $5 for adults, $4 for seniors, $3 for kids 3-12, and free for kids under 3
Native Grass Planting - Flagler County
Posted on 04.18.08
Who: Anyone
What: Native planting project
When: Saturday, April 26, 2008, from 12:00 to 3:00 PM
Where: Gamble Rogers Park, Flagler County; Volunteers
will be meeting at the boat ramp by the river side.
Why: To help the folks of the Northern Coastal Basin Project
restore the precious coastline by planting native grasses.
For more information and to RSVP for this event, contact:
Will Hobson
Volusia County Watershed Action Volunteer Coordinator
St. John's River Water Management District
123 W. Indiana Avenue
DeLand, Florida 32720
Office: (386) 736-5927 x5823
Email: [email protected]
(Source: Environet, 2008)
20th Annual Halifax/Indian River Clean-up
Posted on 04.20.08
In conjunction with Join Hands Day, the 20th Annual Halifax/Indian River Cleanup will begin at 8am, Saturday, May 3, 2008, at 16 sites along the Halifax and Indian Rivers. Boaters, scouts, civic organizations, environmental groups, and business and individual volunteers are encouraged to help clean the waterways by removing trash and debris. A free t-shirt and lunch at Halifax Harbor Marina or Buena Vista Park will be available for those who pre-register by April 30, 2008. Participants are encouraged to bring water and wear sunglasses, hat, sunscreen, work gloves and comfortable clothing. You can also bring rakes and canoes. The Halifax/Indian River Cleanup is hosted by Volusia County Environmental Management and is sponsored in part by the Florida Inland Navigational District.
Supplies may be picked up at:
Tomoka State Park, 2099 N. Beach St., Ormond Beach (entry fee waived for cleanup participants)
Cassen Park, 1 South Beach St., Ormond Beach
Sunrise Park North, 1135 Riverside Dr., Holly Hill
Tuscawilla Park, 1000 Orange Ave., Daytona Beach
Halifax Harbor Marina, 450 Basin St., Daytona Beach
Riverside Pavilion Park, 3431 S. Ridgewood Dr., Port Orange
Dunlawton Bridge boat ramp, west side of the bridge, Port Orange
Spruce Creek Park, 6250 S. Ridgewood Ave., Port Orange
Ponce Inlet Town Hall, 4680 S. Peninsula Dr., Ponce Inlet
Turnbull Bay, west end of Willard St. at the bayshore, New Smyrna Beach
Buena Vista Park, DeSoto Dr., off the North Causeway, New Smyrna Beach
Riverside Park, under the S.R. 44 bridge, New Smyrna Beach
Mary McLeod Bethune Park, 640 Mary McLeod Bethune Blvd., Bethune Beach
JB s Fish Camp, 859 Pompano Ave., Bethune Beach
Kennedy Park public boat ramp, 101 N. Riverside Dr., Edgewater
Riverbreeze public boat ramp, 250 H.H. Burch Rd., Oak Hill
For more information on the event or to pre-register contact Tom Carey at 386-254-4612 x2073 or visit www.volusia.org/cleanup
