Martin Board Approves Boy Scouts’ Camp Plan
October 29th, 2008 by Cara Fitzpatrick
STUART — After a long-fought battle, the Boy Scouts took an important step forward Tuesday in their efforts to renovate a half-century old camp next to Jonathan Dickinson State Park used by troupes throughout southeastern Florida.
Martin County commissioners voted 4-1 to approve a master plan for the 640-acre Camp Tanah Keeta that would include new camping areas, a bigger dining hall and kitchens, bathrooms and new shooting ranges. Commissioner Sarah Heard was the lone dissenter.
Construction still hinges on later approval of a final plan.
“This was a tough one,” said Commissioner Susan Valliere.
Commissioners heard hours of impassioned testimony from the Boy Scouts, neighbors concerned about noise from shooting ranges and possible destruction of wetlands and depletion of scrub jay populations.
The Gulfstream Council of the Boy Scouts of America sent a memo last week calling the meeting “one of the most important days in the history of scouting in the Treasure Coast.”
Opponents noted that the Boy Scouts made some renovations without seeking proper permits, and there have been past investigations into illegal dumping at the site. Scout officials said they were not aware that such permits were necessary.
Marge Ketter, an opponent to the plan, fired back, “I’ve always been told ignorance is no excuse for not knowing the law.”
County officials confirmed that there have been violations at the site, but said they were still comfortable considering the master plan because no “major” violations had occurred.
Commissioner Lee Weberman, who made the motion to approve the plan, called it the “Thank-God Motion” and Commissioner Doug Smith said he thought the board had “heard everything that can reasonably be heard.”
“For those who aren’t an Eagle Scout, you deserve it after today,” said Commissioner Michael DiTerlizzi.
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