Friends of Lake Jesup

Chairman King gave a report on the Facilitated meeting.

Scott Bear was supposed to make a presentation but was unable to attend. Gary Bass said alternative are the same, there is more detail on the touchdown points and the footprint. He reported that the engineering alternatives portion of the PD&E study is on hold until USACOE comes back with their findings.

Pete Milam, said the Corps is assembling a team, and is planning for a site visit in November, after which the team will review and revise the schedule, which should be available be Dec. 25.

Chairman King reported that, as a result of the facilitated meeting, the Corps and DOT would communicate better now. He said the most significant issue in the restoration of Lake Jesup is whether or not to close Government Cut. He said leaving Government Cut open will have a significant effect on how quickly the restoration plan progresses from this point. He said the Corps wants to make sure the restoration project will be effective without the closing of Government Cut. Mr. Milam will be the project manager.

Bill Daniel said he thought it was assumed that Government Cut had no effect on the flow of the river into lake Jesup. Mr. Milam explained that government Cut is the piece of federal infrastructure that allows the Corps to be involved in the restoration project. He said the Corps is assuming that the channel did have an effect on the circulation and will study the best hydrologic reconnection, such as removal of the causeway. He said, based on the district model, they do not expect to have to close Government Cut, unless the expanded model shows otherwise.

Mr. Daniel asked when the public would have input. Mr. Milam said a letter would be sent to resource agencies and the public at large asking for input.

There was more discussion on what the Corps would be studying. Chairman King said there was a difference in the modeling procedure. He said the district model looked at the in-lake effects and the Corps' study would look at upstream and downstream as well.

Reports:

Ed Hayes, FF, has spayed noxious plants. Met today with consultant on the lake, narrowing scope of work. Should sign contract and start design work on holding cell construction.

Regina Lovings, update on breeching of State Road 46 berm.

Chairman King gave a report on the Stone Street fish hatchery, owned by the state and the FFWCC, and a request for use of the property for an educational center and to grow aquatic plants for lake restoration. He and Mr. Hayes have planned to meet with the gentleman who made the request to Rep. Tom Feeney's office and FFWCC.

Ed Moyer, FFWCC, gave a little more background on the property, which the agency has tried to sell. He said the agency would like to create an educational center but has never had the funds to develop one.

A member of the audience asked a question about the dredging program. A discussion of the program and in lake and tributary clean up followed. Ms. Lovings gave a report on the purchase by the district of the Maitland treatment plant for a stormwater treatment facility.

Mr. Moyer, FFWCC, spoke to the agency's in lake habitat focus and thanked FLJ for its diligence in the issues of the lake's restoration. He outlined the needs of the agency in the upcoming legislative session, including asking for $6.6 million and a bass stamp to update their bass center.

Chairman King asked Mr. Moyer what he wanted the FLJ to do. Mr. Moyer said he would keep Mr. Hayes informed and he would solicit help from the group as necessary during the legislative session.

Pat Burkett, Seminole County Natural Lands Advisory Committee, request for information concerning the effect of the Lake restoration on Bird Island. The NLAC is considering recommending the property for purchase by the county and wanted to make sure there is no adverse affect. Also wanted to know what partnering opportunities, for purchase or protection, exist.

Chairman King asked Ms. Lovings if the property was still on the district's potential acquisition list.

Ms. Burkett also asked if agencies were aware of the existence of a wading bird rookery.

Chairman King asked the group if there was a reason to not support the NLAC's effort to purchase Bird Island. There was no objection, so Chairman King said a letter would be drafted to support the purchase, that the property has value to the residents of Seminole county and to the State of Florida and a management plan for the island should be adopted. Ms. Lovings said the district will make a similar recommendation separate of the FLJ.

Chairman King turned the program over to representatives of the Seminole County Watershed Atlas program. They gave their presentation and then the formal meeting was adjourned at 9:05 pm to allow some attendees to leave. The Watershed Atlas group remained and took verbal histories from those who stayed.