Gopher Tortoise Workshop

Gopher Tortoise Workshop 10 May 2008 (9:00 am-3:00 pm) Weedon Island Preserve (St. Petersburg, Florida) http://www.heinrichecologicalservices.com/Turtle_Workshops.pdf George L. Heinrich Heinrich Ecological Services 1213 Alhambra Way S. St. Petersburg, FL 33705-4620 phone: (727) 865-6255 e-mail: george@heinrichecologicalservices.com website: www.heinrichecologicalservices.com

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Environmental Justice Small Grants Program

>>> Lee Yokel <lyokel@disl.org> 4/24/2008 5:16 PM >>> Please pardon duplication from multiple postings - *Environmental Justice Small Grants Program* Funding Opportunity Number: EPA-OECA-OEJ-08-01 Closing Date for Applications: Jun 30, 2008 The Environmental Protection Agency's Office of Environmental Justice (OEJ) established the Environmental Justice Small Grants Program (EJSG) in fiscal year (FY) 1994. The purpose of this grant program is to support and empower communities that are working on local solutions to local environmental and/or public health issues. The EJSG Program is designed to assist recipients in building collaborative partnerships that will help them understand and address the environmental and/or public health issues in their communities. Successful collaborative partnerships with other stakeholders involve well-designed strategic plans to build, maintain and sustain the partnerships, and to work towards addressing the local environmental and/or public health issues. Details at http://www.epa.gov/compliance/environmentaljustice/grants/ej-smgrants.html -- Lee Yokel Environmental Education Coordinator Environmental Education Network Gulf of Mexico Alliance Listserv http://www.disl.org/mailman/listinfo/gomaeen Dauphin Island Sea Lab 101 Bienville Blvd Dauphin Island, AL 36528 (251) 861-8201 (251) 861-7421 fax lyokel@disl.org GOMA working website: http://www2.nos.noaa.gov/gomex/ http://www.dep.state.fl.us/gulf/

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Fw: Letters needed NOW to oppose new roads through ELAPP land, and Bullfrog Creek

--- On Wed, 4/23/08, Mariella Smith <insightgraphics@earthlink.net> wrote: I just found out about this last night, and citizen letters are due tomorrow, by 5:00 p.m.  Please send a letter now opposing this proposed zoning change that would pave a new road right through the Balm Scrub Preserve (a county-owned ELAPP Nature Preserve), running north-south, making a new connection to county road 672. They also propose a new 4-lane road crossing Bullfrog Creek, running east-west. Both roads cross Essential Wildlife Habitat and wetlands, and would have terrible environmental impacts. The only reason for these roads is to build a big subdivision in the rural area -- the roads do not serve any current residents. (see maps) The proposal is for 1089 houses on 537 acres adjacent to Balm Scrub preserve, surrounded by Essential Wildlife Habitat (Gopher tortoises, Kestrels, plus deer, bobcats, foxes and more). The ELAPP preserve wraps around the east and north sides of the proposed subdivision. Bullfrog Creek runs along the west and south sides. This site is the "hole in the donut" surrounded by ecologically sensitive wildlife habitat and wetlands. AND it is almost all in the Rural Area -- outside the Urban Service Area. This is the definition of Urban Sprawl, and it will set a precedent for more expensive sprawl outside the Urban Area. This huge development will have horrible traffic implications for Wimauma, Balm, and Sun City Center, as well as anyone who travels 301, 19th Av., 674 and 672. See notes below, with links to more info. Please send letters opposing this proposal: Be sure to reference RZ 08-0306 Feel free to copy the sample letter, below, or just say "I oppose RZ 08-0306 because of its impacts to our natural resources and traffic." Add your name & address.  Send letters via e-mail to: To: mcgeet@hillsboroughcounty.org CC: gradyb@hillsboroughcounty.org Subject: Opposition re: RZ 08-0306, adjacent to Balm Scrub Preserve, Wimauma Please join me at the Zoning Hearing:  Monday, April 28, 6:00 p.m. County Center, 601 E. Kennedy Blvd., 2nd Floor Sample letter: _____________________________ Please put a copy of this letter, in the case file for review by the Zoning Hearing Master, and consider me a Party of Record. Opposition re: RZ 08-0306, adjacent to Balm Scrub Preserve, Wimauma Dear Zoning Hearing Master, I am opposed to this zoning change that would add too much density to the rural area, and allow intolerable impacts to our natural resources. I'm especially concerned about the ecological damage that would be done by paving new roads through the Balm Scrub Preserve, to the north, and over Bullfrog Creek to the west. Both roads cross Essential Wildlife Habitat and wetlands, and would have terrible environmental impacts. The only reason for these roads is to build a big subdivision in the rural area, which we do not need at this time -- the roads do not serve any current residents.  In fact, the proposed "19th Ave. Extension" over Bullfrog Creek was recently opposed by citizens. The adamant opposition to this road was one of the reasons for the county's withdrawal of the South County Transportation Plan. This road is not supported by citizens and it is not appropriate to approve it in a rezoning without more community discussion. This site is the "hole in the donut" surrounded by ecologically sensitive wildlife habitat and wetlands. Furthermore, it is almost all in the Rural Area -- outside the Urban Service Area. Because of its special location, this application should be required to go through a Specific PD approval process -- not this general PD process -- so we can see exactly where the wetlands are, and plan precisely where each building would go, particularly in the sections that back up to the preserve.  This unique site should also be held to higher standards than the usual bare minimums. A larger proportion of open space should be required, and large buffers should be provided all around. The wildlife corridors and crossing should be planned in detail, in advance. High fencing should be used all around to keep the wildlife off the roads, and direct them to the protected crossing. Bridges, rather than culverts should span the creeks. Lower density should be considered. Please deny this proposal. Mariella & Rupert Smith 108 Janie St., Ruskin, FL, 33570 813-645-4218 _____________________________ Reference: "Westlake Reserve" maps, plan, proposal - RZ 08-0306: http://www.box.net/shared/9nq7k55okk Transportation Comments: http://www.box.net/shared/bh34e4a8so Some comments from the Transportation staff analysis note the areas of traffic concerns: The impacted portions of analyzed roads are currently operating at acceptable levels of service.  With the addition of project traffic, and vested traffic, some of the impacted portions of roads can be expected to operate at an unacceptable level of service.  ... With project and vested traffic, portions of SR 674 would operate at an unacceptable level of service.  With the addition of project traffic and vested traffic, the intersection of US 301 & SR 674 would operate at an unacceptable level of service. ... Several parcels in the general area have either received rezoning approval or are seeking rezoning approval in the area of this application. ... The major roadways in the vicinity of the project are currently operating at an acceptable level of service.  With the addition of project plus vested traffic, these roadways will begin to operate at an unacceptable level of service.   Get more info online: http://pgm.hillsboroughcounty.org  Login is "public" and the password also is "public." See site plans, agency comments, letters, and everything in the case file. Click on "query" and enter the case number (08-0306) where it says "tracking #" _____________________________ Call me with any questions. Thanks for your help! Mariella Smith 645-4218

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media release- Ruskin May 3 & 4, 2008

Media contact: Dolly Cummings phone: 813-363-5438 The Watershed Tent at the Ruskin Tomato and Heritage Festival The Ruskin Tomato and Heritage Festival is Saturday, May 3, from 10am - 5pm and Sunday, May 4, from 10am - 4pm at E.G. Simmons County Park, 19th Ave NW, Ruskin. Camp Bayou will again host a variety of environmental organizations and agencies in the Watershed Tent and the Speaker's Tent. There will be lots of information and freebies offered to help eco-minded homeowners in the Watershed Tent. Some of the organizations that will be represented include Hillsborough County departments: Parks, Recreation and Conservation, Adopt-a-Pond, Environmental Protection Commission, Solid Waste, and Water; plus Sierra Club, Florida Department of Forestry, Keep Hillsborough County Beautiful, Lowry Park Zoo, Hillsborough County Cooperative Extension, Camp Bayou Outdoor Learning Center and more! The Butterfly Tent will again contain a variety of native butterflies along with the native plants that keep them happy. Identication signage plus informational brochures will help any homeowner plan their own wildlife viewing station in their own yard! The Speaker's Tent will provide hourly sessions on a range of topics. The schedule for the weekend includes activities for children, families and adults. Saturday, May 3 10am- Welcome to your Watershed- Find out how you could win dinner for 2 at Cracker Barrel Restaurant just by learning something new about your watershed! 11am- Rainbarrels with Hillsborough County Cooperative Extension noon- Compost with Hillsborough County Cooperative Extension 1pm- New Diseases of Palm Trees with Richard Bailey of Professional Forester, Inc. 2pm- Ag Literacy Storytime- Listen to the story of "These Florida Farms" a book developed by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (http://www.flagintheclassroom.com/). Participants will be able to plant their own tomato seedling to take home after the story is read. 3pm- Frog Jumping Contest plus an introduction to 'Record the Ribbit', a nationwide citizen science project to count frogs on May 3: http://www.nwf.org/frogwatchUSA/. Bring your own frog, or cheer for one already there. Contest will see which frog reachs the edge of the circle first. NOTE: only Cuban treefrogs are eligible to be entered into this contest. 4pm- Critter Creations Workshop- make an animal mask, hat or get your face painted as a native Florida critter to participate in the Parade of Species 4:45pm- Parade of Species- a costumed walk-about through the parade grounds to show our appreciation of the wild world around us (for all ages)! Pre-made costumes are welcome but not necessary. Sunday, May 4 10am- noon- Paint a Pot workshop Noon- Ruskin History with local expert 1pm- Growing Herbs Organically with Willow LaMonte 2pm- Ag Literacy Storytime- "These Florida Farms" a storybook developed by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (http://www.flagintheclassroom.com/). Participants will be able to plant their own tomato seedling to take home after the story is read. 3pm- Wildlife Gardening using Native Plants with Florida Master Naturalist Becki Stafford 4pm- Butterfly Release- help release the butterflies to their natural habitat at the close of the festival! For more information about any of the activities in the Watershed tent, Speaker's Tent or in the Butterfly tent, contact Dolly at 813-363-5438 or email events@campbayou.org. ### Pictured: (138) Marina D'Abreau from Hillsborough County Cooperative Extension Service talks about rainbarrels. (175) The end of the festival means it's time to release the butterflies that have been on display all weekend. Gentle hands are needed to guide the butterflies to safety!

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