The Palm Beach Post

Posts Tagged ‘environment’

Rivers Coalition loses its case against the federal government, plans to appeal

Monday, February 1st, 2010 by Cara Fitzpatrick

A federal judge has ruled against activists for the St. Lucie River who sued the federal government on claims that it violated their property rights by allowing the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to pollute the waterway with massive discharges from Lake Okeechobee.

Judge Lynn Bush said the discharges’ long-term environmental effects on a “national treasure” were tragic, but she agreed with federal lawyers who argued that the property owners were past a six-year statute of limitations to pursue their case.

Even if they weren’t, she said, their property rights claim still would fail under state and federal law.

The plaintiffs, whose suit is being paid for by the non-profit Rivers Coalition Legal Defense Fund, waited several years to have their case heard in the U.S. Court of Federal Claims in Washington. They sought $50 million in damages, once the combined market value of their 22 riverside properties.

Karl Wickstrom, coordinator for the Rivers Coalition, said they plan to appeal the decision, which was released last week.

“We think she’s dead wrong,” he said. “It’d be scary if we couldn’t be protected from our own government when they pollute the water.” (more…)

Bathtub Reef Beach reopening imperiled by time, tide

Monday, January 11th, 2010 by Cara Fitzpatrick

One of Martin County’s most beloved beaches may be closed indefinitely.

Bathtub Reef Beach, known for its worm-rock reef and calm waters, has been closed off and on since storms left it battered and severely eroded more than two years ago.

The parking lot is full of sand. Bathrooms are closed. Litter is common, and the reef has been damaged by graffiti and illicit beachgoers trampling on its delicate structure.

County officials, who closed the beach until further notice in October, are short on cash and solutions to shore up one of their most recognizable natural landmarks. They say it may never look like it once did. (more…)

Four banks join St. Lucie’s green efforts

Monday, December 21st, 2009 by Cara Fitzpatrick

Support is growing for another of St. Lucie County’s “green” initiatives.

Four banks have committed a combined $20 million to establish a non-profit bank that would provide low-interest loans to homeowners and businesses looking to make environmentally friendly changes, such as installing solar panels. (more…)

Fort Pierce marina may soon be rebuilt

Monday, December 21st, 2009 by Cara Fitzpatrick

The Fort Pierce City Marina, the crown jewel of downtown Fort Pierce before being ravaged by hurricanes five years ago, may finally be rebuilt.

City officials say the $20 million project will be an environmental and economic boon to the city, adding to revitalization efforts downtown.

Already, Marina Square and the river walk have been restored. A new library and county courthouse have gone in. Community events often are held downtown.

The only thing missing, city officials say, is to restore the city-owned marina. (more…)

St. Lucie River activists meet government in court Friday to seek damages for Lake O dumping

Thursday, December 3rd, 2009 by Cara Fitzpatrick
Releases of polluted Lake Okeechobee water help fuel discharges like this one from the St. Lucie Lock into the river downstream. (2005 file photo, TCPalm)

Releases of polluted Lake Okeechobee water help fuel discharges like this one from the St. Lucie Lock into the river downstream. (2005 file photo, TCPalm)

After years of waiting, activists for the St. Lucie River will face off Friday with the federal government in a lawsuit in which they say the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers violated their property rights by polluting the waterway with discharges from Lake Okeechobee.

The plaintiffs, whose suit is being paid for by the nonprofit Rivers Coalition Legal Defense Fund, are seeking $50 million in damages, the combined market value of their riverside properties.

“It’s an historic case that could have ramifications not just in Florida but across the nation,” said Karl Wickstrom, coordinator for the Rivers Coalition.

A hearing is scheduled at 1 p.m. in the U.S. Court of Federal Claims in Washington. A decision is not expected that day.

Martin County Commissioner Sarah Heard, Stuart City Commissioner Mike Mortell and Sewall’s Point Commissioner Jacqui Thurlow-Lippisch plan to attend the hearing.

(more…)

Feds concerned over county using inland sand on beaches, effects on turtle nesting

Wednesday, November 11th, 2009 by TCPalm.com

INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — Federal regulators’ concern with sea-turtle nesting prompted county commissioners Tuesday to stretch a $7.3 million North Beach-restoration job over two years.

“They don’t have a high level of confidence in the (inland sand) material the county is proposing,” county Coastal Resources Manager Jonathan Gorham told commissioners. (more…)

Pooper-scoopers to the rescue: Humiston Park Beach reopens after cleanup

Friday, October 9th, 2009 by TCPalm.com

VERO BEACH — Humiston Park Beach reopened after a couple of hours of feces scooping Thursday.

The culprit wasn’t four-legged, but instead has flippers, Indian River County officials said. Manatees are responsible for what may have been a mile-long stretch of excrement that piled up along the beach. Late Thursday afternoon, more manatee mess was spotted at Tracking Station Beach Park, officials said. (more…)

Volunteers build oyster reefs to help the Indian River Lagoon

Monday, September 28th, 2009 by Cara Fitzpatrick

FORT PIERCE — Jumping from boats into waist-deep, brackish water, nearly two dozen people formed a chain alongside a small island in the Indian River Lagoon.

Their mission? To create an oyster reef in the hope of improving the health of the 156-mile-long estuary.

Oyster reefs, built of discarded shells gathered from beaches and restaurants on the Treasure Coast, can replenish depleted oyster populations, provide habitat for marine life, and improve water quality by filtering gallons of water each day. Building the reefs has been a project of St. Lucie County, the Florida Oceanographic Society, the Indian River Lagoon National Estuary Program and the University of Florida’s St. Lucie County Extension Office for about four years. The groups hope to create 11 reefs, growing oysters as larvae, called “spat,” that come through the area and attach to the old shells.

“It would be a wonderful thing for the lagoon,” said captain Barry “Chop” Lege, who leads boat tours on the lagoon and helped transport volunteers to the site last week. (more…)

Step into giant video game at $40 million Indian River State College Public Safety Training Complex open house

Wednesday, September 9th, 2009 by TCPalm.com

ST. LUCIE COUNTY — After weeks of police officer training in a classroom, Indian River State College students move on to a small platform that provides a high-tech simulation of how they react in a real-life situation.

They’re given a weapon that only emits lasers and equipped with a belt that zaps them if they put themselves in danger.

“It teaches consequences if they make bad decisions,” Stephen Huntsberger, associate dean of Public Service Education for IRSC, said of the VirTra Systems simulator at the complex.

The simulator is one of the planned demonstrations at Friday’s public open house at the new Indian River State College Public Safety Complex.
(more…)

Sexual harassment lawsuit to target Martin County sheriff alleging 12 years of discrimination

Wednesday, August 19th, 2009 by TCPalm.com

STUART — It was “bizarre” for Martin County Sheriff Robert Crowder to repeatedly pat the short, spiky haircut of Detective Jennifer Heard, her lawyer said, and he expects Heard’s sexual harassment complaint to lead to a federal discrimination suit.

“We fully expect to file a lawsuit and just litigate the matter,” said Justus Reid, a lawyer representing Heard. “The overall theme will be gender discrimination and, in effect, sexual harassment that went on in the department.”

Heard filed a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission in May alleging the sexual harassment against her began shortly after she was hired in September 1996 and continued for the next 12 years in the form of sexual advances, catcalls and a suggestive nickname. She also accused Crowder of belittling her by patting her on the head.
(more…)

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