Archive for June, 2008

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Lionfish Coming to Waters Off of Stuart Florida

June 19th, 2008 No Comments

 

Lionfish, a non-native fish to the Atlantic Ocean could soon be invading local waters here in Stuart according to scientists.  The Pacific Lionfish is already taking over parts of the Caribbean and the Bahamas and will soon be moving to waters here.  The fish reproduce rapidly and are being introduced into our ecosystem both by aquarium owners releasing them as pets that get to big into the Atlantic and from migrations from the Caribbean, Bahamas and Mexico. 

It’s open season on Lionfish here because the fish is not indiginous to our waters and has no natural predators here.  So they will spread rapidly and do severe damage to the aquatic ecosystem.  Destroying the reefs and causing havoc among local populations of lobster, grouper, snapper and many other local species.  The above video shows how to spear Lionfish and avoid being stung by the toxic fish.  It even shows a few recipes for the fish which is a Chinese delicasy.  If you are out diving or snorkeling soon and see some of these fish on our reefs - please feel free to take them as a souvenir.  Lobster mini-season is coming up soon and with all the divers out crawling the reefs for lobster they could make a big impact on the Lionfish invasion if they killed any they saw.  Spread the word!

 

Story Source:  TcPalm.com

Special thanks to flynn.fidgeon for the video!

 

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Posted in Environment

Rivers Coalition Up Coming Meeting!

June 17th, 2008 No Comments
FORCE - Friends of The Rivers Coalition eNewsletter - MAY 2008
P.O Box 2627, Stuart, FL 34995 ~ 772-225-6849 www.RiversCoalition.org
Congressional Candidate Endorses Flowway, Other Positions Requested by Rivers Coalition.  

 

Hal Valeche, Republican candidate for Congress serving this district, officially endorses the flowway concept to move water south from Lake Okeechobee instead of east and west to the degraded estuaries. 

 

Valeche presented his position in a paper provided to the Rivers Coalition. The Coalition requests written positions on the river issue from other candidates, including Republicans Gayle Harrell and Tom Rooney as well as incumbent Democrat Tim Mahoney.

 

g a slogan of “Val-a-shay for Flowway,” Valeche said a southern outlet such as Plan Six is vital to provide sheetflow to the Everglades, protect the estuaries from damaging discharges and stop immense losses of water to the oceans. His paper states:

“The damage done to the St. Lucie Estuary as a result of large fresh water releases from Lake Okeechobee into the St. Lucie Canal can possibly be reversed, but only if we act promptly and decisively. Although many of the projects authorized in CERP and the IRL plan will be helpful once they are finally funded and accomplished, I think we must go beyond CERP to rescue this one-of-a-kind asset.” 

Creation of a south outlet also has attracted support from several candidates for other offices.

And State Rep. Will Snyder stated at last month’s RC meeting that any speculated damages caused by water moved south would still be little compared to the problems caused in wet years when hundreds of billions of gallons of polluted and turbid fresh water drowns out estuarine life in the St. Lucie River

 
 
 
  Guest Speaker - Fred Burkey.
Presentation on Martin County Stormwater/Watersheds
 
 
‘Saving Our St. Lucie Estuary” DVD Ready for Public Viewings!  

 

 

The public is invited to see a completed eight-minute DVD at the coming Rivers Coalition meeting at 11 a.m. Thursday, June 26.

“Saving Our St. Lucie Estuary” is a hard-hitting documentary that focuses on damages to the estuary caused by discharges from Lake Okeechobee and what can be done to stop them from inundating the waters in wet years. 
Copies of the DVD are available for showing to RC member groups and civic organizations. The Rivers Coalition Defense Fund also intends to show the presentation to as many government officials as possible. 

The showing calls for increased citizen support of the campaign to stop the discharges, which includes a current lawsuit against the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and advocacy on local, state and federal levels.

 

 
 
 
  What’s going on at the next meeting?
Thursday June 26, 2008 - 11:00AM

Realtor Association of Martin County

43 SW Monterey Road, Stuart

Corner of Monterey Road and Kanner Highway 

Plenty of free parking. Donuts and Coffee. 
Business Matters
  • Chairman’s Comments                                                       Leon Abood
  • Guest Speaker                                                                   Fred Burkey
    Presentation on Martin County Stormwater/Watersheds                                                                         
  • Special Program                                                                 Leon Abood
    “Saving Our St. Lucie Estuary” DVD Ready for Public Viewings
  • Legal Update                                                                     Karl Wickstrom
  • Special Events                                                                    Jessica Briske
  • Fundraising                                                                        Karl Wickstrom
  • WRAC                                                                                Ted Guy/Ed Fielding

 Coalition Committee Reports

  • Water Quality                                                                      Mark Perry
  • Local issues                                                                        Mark Perry / Ed Fielding
  • State / Federal Issues                                                          Kevin Henderson / Paul Gray
  • IRL / CERP                                                                          Kevin Henderson / Paul Gray
  • Martin County Updates                                                         Paul Millar

 
 
 
Get your name on the Honor Roll!
Don’t forget to make your donation!Please go to www.RiversCoalition.org and make your donation today and your name will go on the honor roll.The Rivers Coalition is a non profit 501c3 organization.        

 

 
Check out the Honor Roll!           
 
Newsletter notice:  
If your Force Newsletter is not getting to you, please add info@RiversCoalition.org to your email address book.Let us know if your email address needs to be updated in our records.         
Click Here to Be Added to Our Mailing List!
 
  Pass This Newsletter On!
PASS IT ON!
Use the buttons at the bottom of the newsletter to pass on this newsletter to a friend, to subscribe or unsubscribe!THANKS FOR All YOUR SUPPORT!
Editor: Jessica Briske         
Click here to visit our website and donate!

 

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Posted in Environment

It’s Pirate Time in Historic Downtown Stuart, Mateys!

June 17th, 2008 No Comments

What:               Do you have a junior pirate at home?  Someone who just can’t get enough of the high seas and hidden treasure? If so, then set a course for Historic Downtown Stuart. Less than a tank of gas away from most places along the Treasure Coast, downtown Stuart is planning a day of swashbuckling fun for the entire family on Saturday August 9. 

                        Joining the Martin County Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) this summer in branding the area the Treasure Coast, the Downtown Business Association (DBA), Stuart Heritage and the city’s parks and recreation department are planning a free, fun filled, treasure themed family event for kids of all ages. 

                        The members of the DBA are very excited about the CVB’s campaign ‘Summer Treasures’ branding Martin County and the area the Treasure Coast. “We think it’s a great concept, it makes perfect sense,” says John Bella marketing chairperson for the DBA, “because historic downtown Stuart is one of the finest ‘treasures’ of the Treasure Coast with historic buildings, great entertainment, fabulous shopping and fine dining. We thought it would be a good idea to host a ‘treasure’ event downtown this summer.”  

                        Osceola Street will be closed to vehicles for the day to make way for pirate ships, where scoundrels of all ages will be able to walk the plank in a pirate parade, hear about the adventures of Captain Digs during story telling time, play themed games and carnival games, and take part in scavenger hunts and dig for treasure. Contests for best pirate costume for children, adults and pets are also planned. 

 

When:              Saturday August 9, 2008

§  10 a.m. – 4 p.m. 

 

Where:             Historic Downtown Stuart

The event itself takes place on Osceola Street between St. Lucie Street and Colorado Avenue. The courtesy shuttle, Sail Fish Six, will be on the ‘hook’ shuttling people between the event and parking areas. 

 

Who:                The Downtown Business Association is a group of merchants, retailers and business people dedicated to the success and vitality of downtown Stuart. They often work closely with other organizations that are equally committed to the betterment of the historic downtown area of Stuart, such as Stuart Heritage, Stuart Main Street and the City of Stuart. For more information about the DBA check out their website at www.downtownfirst.com . Sponsorship opportunities are available for the event.

 

Public Info:      For more information regarding this event or the DBA please contact John Bella at 772-219-8648.

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Posted in City Events

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