Thank you to everyone who wrote letters or attended the January 11th EQCB meeting protesting the filling of coastal wetlands in our community. Protecting our environment and controlling development within out communities is crucial to our quality of life. Preserving our wetlands from senseless destruction is not just a local matter but one of national interest. The October 2006 National Geographic highlighted Cutler Cay as evidence of the negative impact development is having on Biscayne National Park. With your continued help we can keep this from happening again.
Your participation has made a difference.
• You have shown the county that the community believes that the preservation of our coastal wetlands is essential
• You have demonstrated to county agencies that meetings should be held in the communities that are affected.
• You have shown the developers who wish to work within our communities, that we expect them to respect our environment and work with us to preserve our quality of life.
We have completed just the first step in a very long process. The owner still has applications in with the Army Corps of Engineers and the South Florida Water Management District. This process may take months or years and the developers are counting on the public losing interest. We are dedicated to taking action on this property and three additional properties located on Cutler Bay coastal wetlands.
We ask you to continue the fight with us and hope that we can rely on you to take action when needed.
Warmest regards,
Beth Kibler
oldcutlersouth@gmail.com
Tom Condon
www.cutlerbay.net
Amy Roda
livablecutler@hotmail.com
HERE'S WHAT YOU CAN DO NOW
Please take the time to write a letter to the Army Corps of Engineers (ACE). In the past we created form letters and asked you to simply copy and paste them onto an email to the recipient. Unfortunately the ACE will not seriously consider form letters. Original letters are preferred in this situation. However, to make this as easy on you as possible we have come up with some points loosely grouped by subject. Please look at the list, pick one or two that you feel is most relevant and either rephrase it in your own words or copy and paste it into your email.
Letters can be addressed and headed as below:
ATTN: Leah.A.Oberlin@sajo2.usace.army.mil, Regulatory Project Manager USACE
c.c. julio.robaina@myfloridahouse.gov, Representative District 117, Florida House of Representatives
In reference to Permit Application No. SAJ-2005-4653 Cutler Properties LC:
CFR
Cutler Properties LC is proposing a high density multistory development at this location and plans to unnecessarily fill 33 acres of coastal wetlands that will certainly have negative impacts to both the adjacent 90 acres of wetlands and Biscayne National Park. The proposed development is not water dependant and under Section 33 part 320 #32.4 of the Code of Federal Regulations the developer must justify why the proposed project cannot be pursued elsewhere. The community is strongly opposed to the unnecessary destruction of our much needed wetlands and asks the corps to consider the CFR when reviewing the Cutler Properties application.
Property Rights
Cutler Properties bought this 138 acre property just over three years ago (October 2003), knowing that only 9 acres of it were available for development without a variance. The property owners have the right to build on the 9 acres of uplands, but destroying an additional 30 acres of wetlands that could be restored is not in the best interest of our environment, nor our community.
LEDPA
The project planned by Cutler Properties LC is not the least environmentally damaging practicable alternative (LEDPA) for the projects proposed mixed use and residential housing purposes. The property purchased by Cutler Properties has only 9 acres of uplands yet they propose 42 acres of development that would require the filling of 33 acres of coastal wetlands. This proposed project is not the LEDPA and the applicant should not be granted a 404 permit.
Public Interest
Cutler Properties LC is proposing to fill 33 acres of Class I Coastal Wetlands. In return they are only offering 3 acres of on-site mitigation in just a 30ft buffer. The 90+ acres of high quality wetlands adjacent to Biscayne National Park that they're offering to give to the county cannot be developed under current laws and is therefore irrelevant. Our community is losing 33 acres of wetlands How is this in the public interest?
CERP
The Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP) has been deemed a National Issue of Overriding Importance in the interest of preserving our water quality. This property is in the footprint of CERP. The developer plans to destroy 33 acres of coastal wetlands in an area that is critical to the aquifer and the bay. CERP needs to be implemented and our threatened wetlands need to be restored. The national goal of preserving our water supply is more important than the need for housing in an already saturated market or the desire for profit by a few individuals. The community relies on the corps to promote the full implementation of CERP on what little is left of our coastal wetlands.
Conservation
As the population increases throughout South Florida it becomes increasingly important to protect our natural resources. Our coast line must not be sacrificed unnecessarily. It is in our collective best interests to conserve this land and allow it to work for us as a filter for water runoff, and as a sanctuary for birds, crabs and others who call this piece of land home.
Conflict with the Watershed Study
Cutler Properties LC is proposing a plan that is in conflict with the goals of the South Miami-Dade Watershed Study and Plan. The plan establishes an open space/conservation zone (Zone C) "that ensures that lands needed for the protection of Biscayne Bay are available for storm water treatment, wetlands restoration (including the Biscayne Bay Coastal Wetlands CERP Project) and open space (including agriculture) as required." The importance of state and local decisions in the regulatory process is recognized in Section 101(b) of the Clean Water Act and in Section 202(b) of the Environmental Quality Improvement Act. The Army Corps of Engineers is requested to respect local initiatives to preserve land and water resources and consider the long term goals of the community while reviewing Cutler Properties application to fill our coastal wetlands.
Historical Properties
There is little green space in Cutler Bay along Old Cutler Road. This is not in keeping with Old Cutler's Historic and Scenic designation. Past development and commercial ventures have already hurt the scenic value of this road.
Recreation
Lying just outside of Cutler Bay’s town limits is Blackpoint Marina. This marina serves as the launching point for recreational fishermen and boating enthusiasts. As more and more of our shoreline is sacrificed to development, we compromise the health of our bay and the joy of communing with nature.
1/31/07
1/5/07
NOTES SUMMARY THROUGH 1/5/07
CUTLER PROPERTIES LC APPLIES TO FILL COASTAL WETLANDS
Cutler Properties LC is owned by Fortune International (Edguardo Fortuna of Fortune Magazine/Realty, etc.) Cutler Properties has filed an application with the Environmental Quality Control Board for a waiver of Chapter 24-58.3(B) of the Miami-Dade County Code. Cutler Properties wants to fill over 30 acres of Class I Coastal Wetlands to build high density/multi-use residences and shops of undisclosed detail in a primarily single family home dominated area. Cutler Properties LC does not meet any of the requirements of county code for the filling of wetlands- yet the director Department of Environmental Resources Management (DERM) has recommended that the Environmental Quality Control Board (EQCB) grant a variance.
The property at 18551 Old Cutler Rd. was purchased in October of 2003 for $2,400,000 and has since been refinanced for $8m +/-. The property consists of 9 acres of uplands (no variance required), 33 acres of lower quality wetlands and 93 acres of higher quality wetlands. The 93 acres of high quality wetlands are being offered to the county as part of the deal with DERM and will be used to allow higher density on the remainder of the property during the zoning process even though the higher quality wetlands can never be touched for development.
EQCB agendas are only published in the Daily Business Review and on the Miami-Dade website making it very difficult for citizens to know what’s in store for their neighborhoods until the bulldozers have begun clearing the land. Just a week before the November 9th EQCB Palmetto Bay individuals happened upon this information, began investigating, contacted the Tropical Audubon Society and began Googling Cutler Bay citizens groups. A TAS email was widely circulated and representatives from homeowner’s and activist’s groups began working together in opposition of granting the variance for the filling of wetlands.
WHY CUTLER BAY AND PALMETTO BAY GROUPS OPPOSE GRANTING A VARIANCE OF COUNTY CODE
• This is the last piece of green that stretches from Old Cutler to Biscayne Bay in Cutler Bay
• Past developments like the adjacent Cutler Cay (National Geographic 9/06) are endangering our coastal wetlands and the bay.
• The proposed filling does not meet ANY of the requirements of county code.
• DERM is accepting a bad project with bad mitigation. 33 acres of impact to 3 acres of mitigation is an unacceptable deal and not in the public’s best interest.
• The development does not allow for full implementation of the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP) currently envisioned for the site.
DEVELOPERS COMMUNICATION WITH RESIDENTS
At the September EQCB the chair commented on the applicant’s contact with neighbors. As of the November EQCB no proof of community contact was found but the applicant submitted a request for a deferral to DERM on the basis of the need for community contact and stated, “That process has been on-going and continues to this date.” The only contact uncovered was an informal meeting with environmental groups 15 months previously.
Cutler Properties attorney Howard Nelson, of Bilzin Sumberg, was contacted directly by representatives of Cutler Bay/Palmetto Bay groups. He was asked to quantify who he considered the community and to notify the writers of any meetings scheduled before the December EQCB. In a phone conversation Mr. Nelson characterized the environmental community as the only stakeholders and reiterated that he had met with them and had therefore met with the community. He stated that the lawyers handling the zoning process were handling meetings with neighbors. When told that the residents were concerned with environmental issues Mr. Nelson said he would meet with residents. As community awareness rose, email poured into DERM and pressure mounted, reports of undeclared meetings with members of Cutler Glen Homeowners Association emerged. The attorney handling zoning applications, Simon Ferro of Greenberg Taurig, gave only two days notice of a meeting to which only a few were invited. This meeting was basically a sales pitch and did not address environmental impact. As of the December EQCB no meetings on the environmental impact of the project were conducted by representatives of Cutler Properties.
DECEMBER 14th EQCB HEARING
Palmetto Bay and Cutler Bay citizens groups have organized in strong opposition to the filling of the wetlands and to developing the last piece of green in Cutler Bay that goes from Historic Old Cutler Rd. to Biscayne Bay. These groups have worked diligently for months to inform area residents about the proposed development and its consequences. As a result, concerned individuals took the day off work and made the trek downtown to attend the EQCB even though letters from DERM and the developer informed citizens of the request for yet another deferral.
After hearing several residents of Cutler Bay and Palmetto Bay and an adamant representative of the Sierra Club speak against the continuance on the grounds that Cutler Properties had not made a good faith effort to communicate with stakeholders about the environmental impact of the proposed project, and discovering that 370+ letters had been received by DERM from citizens opposing the variance, the board, in front of a packed room, summarily voted against granting the continuance. The attorney for Cutler Properties was not prepared for this and did not have his case in order. He stated that he needed time to locate his witness from the South Florida Water Management District. It is highly unusual that the SFWMD would speak on the behalf of a development project. DERM revealed that their letters to citizens advising them of the continuance may have discouraged attendance by the community. In light of these facts a compromise was promulgated where Cutler Properties had to go on record that if allowed a continuance to January they would seek no further continuances. Many citizens were unhappy with the compromise and continued to strongly disagree with granting the continuance. They made a forthright request that the meeting be held in South Dade and in the evening to assure the participation of all concerned citizens. In a move viewed as unprecedented by many, this request was granted by the EQCB.
The developers committed to having a meeting with the public and it is scheduled for January 8th. The EQCB is on Thursday, January 11th at 5:30 at the South Dade Government Center.
MISC. ISSUES
Trebloc Corp. was the previous owner of the property. Trebloc was responsible for unauthorized clearing of wetlands. DERM and the county spent a lot of time and money in litigation to establish that the wetlands were class one coastal wetlands and to obtain a Consent Agreement from Trebloc. The consent agreement has not been fulfilled as of this date. Violations on the property stay with the property and are the responsibility of the new owner.
DERM’s motto is “Delivering Excellence Everyday”. Delivering it to whom? DERM rarely recommends that variance applications be denied and the EQCB almost always follows DERM’s recommendation.
DERM’s past performance demonstrates that they view developers as their customers rather than serving in the best interests of the public. 370+ emails were received in opposition to this development by DERM (The most mail DERM has received on one application) yet at the EQCB DERM did not notify the board of this fact! The only way for the EQCB to gain knowledge of the volume of email is for a resident to stand before them and speak about it, but the resident would have no idea how many letters were received by DERM unless he formally requested the public records.
Mayor Vrooman of Cutler Bay wrote directly to the chair of the EQCB and instead of supporting this citizen’s movement to contain development wrote that he agreed with DERM’s recommendation and asked that the 90 acres of higher quality wetlands be deeded to Cutler Bay to help satisfy the green space to development ratio required under the CDMP for incorporation. Why have the 90+ acres given over to the Town of Cutler Bay? Yes they can claim it as “parkland” (passive) to help satisfy the requirements of their Comprehensive Development Master Plan but it will not be on the tax rolls and the responsibility for maintenance will be on the taxpayers/town.
The Town of Cutler Bay has declared a moratorium on building along Historic Old Cutler Rd. DERM records show that staff was aware of this. Why were the desires of the town disregarded and a variance approval recommended by DERM?
Due to the “Jennings Rule” citizens are unable to contact their county commissioner because the matter may come before the BCC. Citizens of Cutler Bay have also been told by their mayor and council members that they cannot speak to them on the subject, citing Jennings, despite the developer’s assertion that a zoning application has not yet been filed.
There was a 14ft? storm surge recorded on the adjacent Burger King property during Hurricane Andrew. Does it make sense to continue building on wetlands in consideration of that fact and in light of what we’ve learned from Hurricane Katrina?
Cutler Properties LC is owned by Fortune International (Edguardo Fortuna of Fortune Magazine/Realty, etc.) Cutler Properties has filed an application with the Environmental Quality Control Board for a waiver of Chapter 24-58.3(B) of the Miami-Dade County Code. Cutler Properties wants to fill over 30 acres of Class I Coastal Wetlands to build high density/multi-use residences and shops of undisclosed detail in a primarily single family home dominated area. Cutler Properties LC does not meet any of the requirements of county code for the filling of wetlands- yet the director Department of Environmental Resources Management (DERM) has recommended that the Environmental Quality Control Board (EQCB) grant a variance.
The property at 18551 Old Cutler Rd. was purchased in October of 2003 for $2,400,000 and has since been refinanced for $8m +/-. The property consists of 9 acres of uplands (no variance required), 33 acres of lower quality wetlands and 93 acres of higher quality wetlands. The 93 acres of high quality wetlands are being offered to the county as part of the deal with DERM and will be used to allow higher density on the remainder of the property during the zoning process even though the higher quality wetlands can never be touched for development.
EQCB agendas are only published in the Daily Business Review and on the Miami-Dade website making it very difficult for citizens to know what’s in store for their neighborhoods until the bulldozers have begun clearing the land. Just a week before the November 9th EQCB Palmetto Bay individuals happened upon this information, began investigating, contacted the Tropical Audubon Society and began Googling Cutler Bay citizens groups. A TAS email was widely circulated and representatives from homeowner’s and activist’s groups began working together in opposition of granting the variance for the filling of wetlands.
WHY CUTLER BAY AND PALMETTO BAY GROUPS OPPOSE GRANTING A VARIANCE OF COUNTY CODE
• This is the last piece of green that stretches from Old Cutler to Biscayne Bay in Cutler Bay
• Past developments like the adjacent Cutler Cay (National Geographic 9/06) are endangering our coastal wetlands and the bay.
• The proposed filling does not meet ANY of the requirements of county code.
• DERM is accepting a bad project with bad mitigation. 33 acres of impact to 3 acres of mitigation is an unacceptable deal and not in the public’s best interest.
• The development does not allow for full implementation of the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP) currently envisioned for the site.
DEVELOPERS COMMUNICATION WITH RESIDENTS
At the September EQCB the chair commented on the applicant’s contact with neighbors. As of the November EQCB no proof of community contact was found but the applicant submitted a request for a deferral to DERM on the basis of the need for community contact and stated, “That process has been on-going and continues to this date.” The only contact uncovered was an informal meeting with environmental groups 15 months previously.
Cutler Properties attorney Howard Nelson, of Bilzin Sumberg, was contacted directly by representatives of Cutler Bay/Palmetto Bay groups. He was asked to quantify who he considered the community and to notify the writers of any meetings scheduled before the December EQCB. In a phone conversation Mr. Nelson characterized the environmental community as the only stakeholders and reiterated that he had met with them and had therefore met with the community. He stated that the lawyers handling the zoning process were handling meetings with neighbors. When told that the residents were concerned with environmental issues Mr. Nelson said he would meet with residents. As community awareness rose, email poured into DERM and pressure mounted, reports of undeclared meetings with members of Cutler Glen Homeowners Association emerged. The attorney handling zoning applications, Simon Ferro of Greenberg Taurig, gave only two days notice of a meeting to which only a few were invited. This meeting was basically a sales pitch and did not address environmental impact. As of the December EQCB no meetings on the environmental impact of the project were conducted by representatives of Cutler Properties.
DECEMBER 14th EQCB HEARING
Palmetto Bay and Cutler Bay citizens groups have organized in strong opposition to the filling of the wetlands and to developing the last piece of green in Cutler Bay that goes from Historic Old Cutler Rd. to Biscayne Bay. These groups have worked diligently for months to inform area residents about the proposed development and its consequences. As a result, concerned individuals took the day off work and made the trek downtown to attend the EQCB even though letters from DERM and the developer informed citizens of the request for yet another deferral.
After hearing several residents of Cutler Bay and Palmetto Bay and an adamant representative of the Sierra Club speak against the continuance on the grounds that Cutler Properties had not made a good faith effort to communicate with stakeholders about the environmental impact of the proposed project, and discovering that 370+ letters had been received by DERM from citizens opposing the variance, the board, in front of a packed room, summarily voted against granting the continuance. The attorney for Cutler Properties was not prepared for this and did not have his case in order. He stated that he needed time to locate his witness from the South Florida Water Management District. It is highly unusual that the SFWMD would speak on the behalf of a development project. DERM revealed that their letters to citizens advising them of the continuance may have discouraged attendance by the community. In light of these facts a compromise was promulgated where Cutler Properties had to go on record that if allowed a continuance to January they would seek no further continuances. Many citizens were unhappy with the compromise and continued to strongly disagree with granting the continuance. They made a forthright request that the meeting be held in South Dade and in the evening to assure the participation of all concerned citizens. In a move viewed as unprecedented by many, this request was granted by the EQCB.
The developers committed to having a meeting with the public and it is scheduled for January 8th. The EQCB is on Thursday, January 11th at 5:30 at the South Dade Government Center.
MISC. ISSUES
Trebloc Corp. was the previous owner of the property. Trebloc was responsible for unauthorized clearing of wetlands. DERM and the county spent a lot of time and money in litigation to establish that the wetlands were class one coastal wetlands and to obtain a Consent Agreement from Trebloc. The consent agreement has not been fulfilled as of this date. Violations on the property stay with the property and are the responsibility of the new owner.
DERM’s motto is “Delivering Excellence Everyday”. Delivering it to whom? DERM rarely recommends that variance applications be denied and the EQCB almost always follows DERM’s recommendation.
DERM’s past performance demonstrates that they view developers as their customers rather than serving in the best interests of the public. 370+ emails were received in opposition to this development by DERM (The most mail DERM has received on one application) yet at the EQCB DERM did not notify the board of this fact! The only way for the EQCB to gain knowledge of the volume of email is for a resident to stand before them and speak about it, but the resident would have no idea how many letters were received by DERM unless he formally requested the public records.
Mayor Vrooman of Cutler Bay wrote directly to the chair of the EQCB and instead of supporting this citizen’s movement to contain development wrote that he agreed with DERM’s recommendation and asked that the 90 acres of higher quality wetlands be deeded to Cutler Bay to help satisfy the green space to development ratio required under the CDMP for incorporation. Why have the 90+ acres given over to the Town of Cutler Bay? Yes they can claim it as “parkland” (passive) to help satisfy the requirements of their Comprehensive Development Master Plan but it will not be on the tax rolls and the responsibility for maintenance will be on the taxpayers/town.
The Town of Cutler Bay has declared a moratorium on building along Historic Old Cutler Rd. DERM records show that staff was aware of this. Why were the desires of the town disregarded and a variance approval recommended by DERM?
Due to the “Jennings Rule” citizens are unable to contact their county commissioner because the matter may come before the BCC. Citizens of Cutler Bay have also been told by their mayor and council members that they cannot speak to them on the subject, citing Jennings, despite the developer’s assertion that a zoning application has not yet been filed.
There was a 14ft? storm surge recorded on the adjacent Burger King property during Hurricane Andrew. Does it make sense to continue building on wetlands in consideration of that fact and in light of what we’ve learned from Hurricane Katrina?
1/4/07
11/9/06
Deferral Granted - Next EQCB Dec. 14th
Let's extend our gratitude and appreciation to the individuals that made the long trek down to speak at the EQCB meeting today. Cutler Bay's Marshall Steingold and Cutler Glen's Attorney John Shubin, Mayor Eugene Flinn of Palmetto Bay, Eric Tullberg of Palmetto Bay, Cynthia Guerra of the Tropical Audubon Society and Elsa Alvear, Resource Manager with Biscayne National Park were all in attendance and spoke against the proposed development.
10/29/06
Cynthia Guerra, Executive Director, Tropical Audubon Society wrote the following 10/29/06:
CERP in Palmetto Bay and Cutler Bay
For many years now, the Tropical Audubon Society has been tracking the progress of ecosystem restoration projects in Miami-Dade County. Following is an overview of some of what is planned near your neighborhood. We welcome your interest and would be happy to answer questions. Please e-mail us at director@tropicalaudubon.org , call us at 305-667-7337 and check our webpage at www.tropicalaudubon.org
We could always the support of caring residents and businesses. Visit our webpage to find out more about what we do and how you can help!
The Deering Estate flowway is part of the Acceler8 portion of the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP). This project is one of 8 CERP projects that was chosen to be 'accelerated' for partial or full completion before the timeline that was originally projected in the full restoration plan. The Deering Estate flowway is a component of the Biscayne Bay Coastal Wetlands Project (BBCWP) - which is one of two Dade County CERP projects that became part of Acceler8. The flowway is intended to take water from the canal that is adjacent to the Deering property west of Old Cutler, and divert that water to a natural flowway on the Deering Estate property. This water diversion will accomplish important hydrologic and ecologic restoration to the Deering Estate wetlands, shoreline, and the associated near shore waters of Biscayne Bay.
Other components of the BBCWP, while not part of Acceler8, are moving forward as well. One of those is another flowway that will take water from the C-100 canal and divert it to a spreader canal that passes through Coastal Wetlands running south of the old Burger King property towards Black Point. Again, the diversion of water is important to the long-term ecological health and sustainability of Biscayne Bay, Biscayne National Park and the coastal wetlands. Canal discharges are very damaging to the bay, causing drastic fluctuations in salinity that can have devastating impacts on water quality and wildlife. Canal discharges also often transport damaging excess nutrients and other pollutants directly to the bay. Historically, the water that now flows through canals used to get to the bay by flowing over land - across wetlands. This 'sheet flow' provided the water needed for the wetlands to be healthy, and the wetlands acted as water treatment - taking out any excess nutrients or pollutants before the water made it to the bay.
Right now, the US Army Corps of Engineers and the South Florida Water Management District are trying to finalize the design of BBCWP components. To get the most hydrologic and ecological benefit, the spreader canal needs to be built as far west as possible. Unfortunately, land is being developed faster than the CERP projects are being built, and once land is converted to development, it is no longer usable for CERP. The Tropical Audubon Society is urging regulatory agencies to consider the needs of CERP as they consider any applications for development. We are also urging the Army Corps and the District to acquire those lands (at fair market value from willing sellers) in order to protect the opportunity to fully implement CERP and realize the best benefits for Biscayne Bay and Biscayne National Park.
Currently, the Tropical Audubon Society is aware of two new developments being considered on lands east of Old Cutler and north of Black Point. (Note: there may be more that we haven't yet discovered). The first, called Cutler Properties, is the parcel that is between the old Burger King property and Shoma Homes. The second, called Cutler Bay Village, is east of SW 87 Ave between theoretical SW 224 Street and 232 Street. Both of the projects include lands that could be used by CERP if they were available.
Cutler Properties is proposing to fill over 30 acres of wetlands - wetlands that we feel could be restored, or best used for the spreader canal. If permitted to fill the 30+ acres, the developer will add that to 9 acres of uplands along Old Cutler and build residential units on over 40 acres. While they have not committed to a final site plan, they have talked about building 341 residential units. The application is currently in process at Miami-Dade's Department of Environmental Resources Management for the wetlands fill permit (305-372-6575, 33 SW 2nd Ave, Suite 400, Miami, FL 33130). To get the permit, the developer needs a variance from the County's environmental regulations, and they have requested that variance from the County's Environmental Quality Control Board (EQCB). The Tropical Audubon Society is opposed to the issuance of the variance and stated so at the October EQCB hearing. It is our understanding that the applicant will next appear before the EQCB on November 10 - although that agenda is not yet posted on-line (see http://www.miamidade.gov/derm/code_eqcb.asp). The EQCB hearing is public and anyone can make comment to the board - check the webpage for details. The EQCB is interested in hearing from residents in the area. The consultant for the residential development is Ed Swakon, he can be reached at 305-445-5553 or ESwakon@eas-eng.com.
Cutler Bay Village is proposing to fill over 165 acres of similarly restorable or usable wetlands of CERP. The total development is proposed to cover 175 acres and no information has been provided about the type of development that is being proposed. This development is currently in process at the US Army Corps of Engineers Regulatory Office for the wetlands fill permit (561-472-3504, 4400 PGA Blvd, Suite 500, Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33410). The consultant for the development is Rainer Schael, he can be reached at 305-383-3404 or rainer@rs-env.com .
CERP is envisioned to provide associated benefits to the built environment (like existing neighborhoods). By building features that allow water managers alternatives for how and where canal water is moved, we move towards a future water management system that better provides for our urban drinking water supply and flood control, as well as the tremendous environmental benefits we know can be achieved. Tropical Audubon remains committed to advocating for the full implementation of CERP. Please lend your voice to the effort.
Cynthia Guerra, Executive Director
Tropical Audubon Society
5530 Sunset Drive
Miami, FL 33143
305-667-PEEP (main)
www.tropicalaudubon.org
CERP in Palmetto Bay and Cutler Bay
For many years now, the Tropical Audubon Society has been tracking the progress of ecosystem restoration projects in Miami-Dade County. Following is an overview of some of what is planned near your neighborhood. We welcome your interest and would be happy to answer questions. Please e-mail us at director@tropicalaudubon.org , call us at 305-667-7337 and check our webpage at www.tropicalaudubon.org
We could always the support of caring residents and businesses. Visit our webpage to find out more about what we do and how you can help!
The Deering Estate flowway is part of the Acceler8 portion of the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP). This project is one of 8 CERP projects that was chosen to be 'accelerated' for partial or full completion before the timeline that was originally projected in the full restoration plan. The Deering Estate flowway is a component of the Biscayne Bay Coastal Wetlands Project (BBCWP) - which is one of two Dade County CERP projects that became part of Acceler8. The flowway is intended to take water from the canal that is adjacent to the Deering property west of Old Cutler, and divert that water to a natural flowway on the Deering Estate property. This water diversion will accomplish important hydrologic and ecologic restoration to the Deering Estate wetlands, shoreline, and the associated near shore waters of Biscayne Bay.
Other components of the BBCWP, while not part of Acceler8, are moving forward as well. One of those is another flowway that will take water from the C-100 canal and divert it to a spreader canal that passes through Coastal Wetlands running south of the old Burger King property towards Black Point. Again, the diversion of water is important to the long-term ecological health and sustainability of Biscayne Bay, Biscayne National Park and the coastal wetlands. Canal discharges are very damaging to the bay, causing drastic fluctuations in salinity that can have devastating impacts on water quality and wildlife. Canal discharges also often transport damaging excess nutrients and other pollutants directly to the bay. Historically, the water that now flows through canals used to get to the bay by flowing over land - across wetlands. This 'sheet flow' provided the water needed for the wetlands to be healthy, and the wetlands acted as water treatment - taking out any excess nutrients or pollutants before the water made it to the bay.
Right now, the US Army Corps of Engineers and the South Florida Water Management District are trying to finalize the design of BBCWP components. To get the most hydrologic and ecological benefit, the spreader canal needs to be built as far west as possible. Unfortunately, land is being developed faster than the CERP projects are being built, and once land is converted to development, it is no longer usable for CERP. The Tropical Audubon Society is urging regulatory agencies to consider the needs of CERP as they consider any applications for development. We are also urging the Army Corps and the District to acquire those lands (at fair market value from willing sellers) in order to protect the opportunity to fully implement CERP and realize the best benefits for Biscayne Bay and Biscayne National Park.
Currently, the Tropical Audubon Society is aware of two new developments being considered on lands east of Old Cutler and north of Black Point. (Note: there may be more that we haven't yet discovered). The first, called Cutler Properties, is the parcel that is between the old Burger King property and Shoma Homes. The second, called Cutler Bay Village, is east of SW 87 Ave between theoretical SW 224 Street and 232 Street. Both of the projects include lands that could be used by CERP if they were available.
Cutler Properties is proposing to fill over 30 acres of wetlands - wetlands that we feel could be restored, or best used for the spreader canal. If permitted to fill the 30+ acres, the developer will add that to 9 acres of uplands along Old Cutler and build residential units on over 40 acres. While they have not committed to a final site plan, they have talked about building 341 residential units. The application is currently in process at Miami-Dade's Department of Environmental Resources Management for the wetlands fill permit (305-372-6575, 33 SW 2nd Ave, Suite 400, Miami, FL 33130). To get the permit, the developer needs a variance from the County's environmental regulations, and they have requested that variance from the County's Environmental Quality Control Board (EQCB). The Tropical Audubon Society is opposed to the issuance of the variance and stated so at the October EQCB hearing. It is our understanding that the applicant will next appear before the EQCB on November 10 - although that agenda is not yet posted on-line (see http://www.miamidade.gov/derm/code_eqcb.asp). The EQCB hearing is public and anyone can make comment to the board - check the webpage for details. The EQCB is interested in hearing from residents in the area. The consultant for the residential development is Ed Swakon, he can be reached at 305-445-5553 or ESwakon@eas-eng.com.
Cutler Bay Village is proposing to fill over 165 acres of similarly restorable or usable wetlands of CERP. The total development is proposed to cover 175 acres and no information has been provided about the type of development that is being proposed. This development is currently in process at the US Army Corps of Engineers Regulatory Office for the wetlands fill permit (561-472-3504, 4400 PGA Blvd, Suite 500, Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33410). The consultant for the development is Rainer Schael, he can be reached at 305-383-3404 or rainer@rs-env.com .
CERP is envisioned to provide associated benefits to the built environment (like existing neighborhoods). By building features that allow water managers alternatives for how and where canal water is moved, we move towards a future water management system that better provides for our urban drinking water supply and flood control, as well as the tremendous environmental benefits we know can be achieved. Tropical Audubon remains committed to advocating for the full implementation of CERP. Please lend your voice to the effort.
Cynthia Guerra, Executive Director
Tropical Audubon Society
5530 Sunset Drive
Miami, FL 33143
305-667-PEEP (main)
www.tropicalaudubon.org
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
