CLEARING
CANALS
An
agreement has been reached with a local contractor to
remove debris and trash out of the west canal
beginning at the western end of the east canal and
extending to its western end. The material will be
deposited on ray Larsen's vacant lot and waste
management will remove it. The project does not
require permits according to the DEP and Corps of
Engineers, but will not permit maintenance dredging -
bolder and rock removal.
Cost
of the first phase will be $11,000 and will be shared
by property owners on a voluntary basis. A number of
affected property owners believe that it is important
to act as swiftly as possible since the permitting
process could be changed at any time. We are
requesting that DKPOA act as the agent for these
people since in may be helpful if we try to get
reimbursement from the government in the
future.
For
now, fish traps and floats in the east have been moved
from blocking the channel. There is need to completely
remove them as soon as possible. We would appreciate
any action taken by anyone in order to gain their
removal between now and the first of the
year.
RESTORING
BREAKWATER
We
have been working with R.J.Helbling and the state DEP
to try to get the Natural Resource Conservation
Service to include the Duck Key perimeter canals on a
list of projects to be funded to include maintenance
dredging, breakwater repair and improvement, and
botanical planting on the finished breakwaters. We
have been informed that this project will be on the
list of projects to fund.
We
have met with Ken Sorenson of the Florida Legislature
who assures us that we will have a voice in the
project in Tallahassee. We have also written our
County Commissioners and explained the gravity of the
situation to them. A lot more work needs to be done
with the new commission to make them act favorably
when the time comes.
Peter
Horton, the Assistant County Manager, has been
contacted and has informed us that this project is
being handled for the county by Jim Mallock, Special
Programs Coordinator 292-4562. At this point, we need
to keep our ears wide open and be prepared to write
letters to the County Commissioners just as soon as
the funds are available. There is no doubt that many
projects are on the list to be funded but it seems
imperative that the Duck key breakwater project be one
of the first to be undertaken.
There
is one other major consideration. Who owns the
breakwater? This is a potential stumbling block since
some clarification may be needed before work can be
started. We have asked Hawk's Cay to help us make a
determination about ownership through their legal firm
and we need to follow up with Don Johnson.
