Friends of Lake Jesup

Chairman King called meeting to order at 7:35 PM

Minutes checked and approved

Chairman King reported that the Corp has put out a timeline of one year to finish the restoration plan. They will continue to work on the model. Feeney said that he will be there if the Friends need any help with the progression of the restoration of the lake. Next month the Corp will have a schedule to let the Friends in on the progression of the restoration plan.

Scott Bear, CH2MHill, spoke about the 0% construction meeting and discussed various issues with the project. Within the next few weeks test holes will be drilled for new bridge and survey crews will be out by September. 30% meeting will probably be ready by next summer. Website will be setup and running by the end of August. Bill Daniel questioned test-boring methods. Chairman King reported that the Coast Guard would be in charge of lights and markings for navigation. Chairman has requested to attend the meeting to see if they will put navigation markers into the lake.

Barbara Bess, FDEP, said Impaired water body list draft deadline has been extended till August, which means corrections can be made to list if needed. EPA can still say they need to be on the list.

Cecilia Height, Sierra Club, reported that mercury is a problem in the Econ and the St. Johns River.

Chairman King presented a packet of information from Hydromentia. They claim to meet stricter standards of restoration with the everglades cleanup. It is in phase 1 of 3 phase project.

Ed Hayes, FWCC, showed drawings of proposed muck removal site restoration and explained the design and setup of the site. He has presented designs to the District and requested their tentative agreement. They will get a final more detailed plan before the District can give their formal approval. They will be submitting permitting to DEP later this month. Polishing pond will go to Seminole County once the project is finished. Polishing pond will be functional only during dry season.

Cecilia Height, Sierra Club, stated that Steve Edmunds is coming to a Sierra Club and is telling people that the muck in Lake Jesup is toxic. The meeting is on August 20th. Chairman King, the Soil and Water Conservation Board has been speaking out and has come across that the muck was toxic and has caused concerns in people. He spoke to Mike who will speak to Steve about whether or not the muck in the lake is really toxic. Group discussion followed.

Cecilia Height, Sierra Club, talked to Feeney about coal train. Harkey claims to only want to use existing CSX lines. He also says freight train is a local decision. Crotty says it is a state and federal decision. Seminole county submitted resolution statement to Metro-plan that Seminole county opposes relocation of freight into Seminole County. Sierra Club is going to send a letter to Congressman Mica opposing the coal train.

Chairman King met with developers about Battle Ridge land management plan. They seem to have stuck to line that the district setup and Mike Mingea has been riding herd on them. Management plan will be developed soon. There are properties that need management and a committee has been setup to help settle communication challenges. The group will meet monthly and Chairman King and Ed Hayes have been invited to sit in on the meetings.

The chairman reported on information he had received regarding a project that has come to request mitigation credits through the District. The development is clearly in the basin but they are requesting all mitigation through Bergman’s property, which is clearly out of the basin. Group Discussion followed. The chairman proposed that a letter should be written to the Chairman of the District that the Friends feel that this project or any other project should go 100% out of the basin. Also the Friends will still entertain projects on a case by case basis. The letter should also include the issue of submerged lands and public owned lands be sold as mitigation. Group agreed to send a letter.

Group agreed to send out certificates to retiring members.

Cecilia Height, Sierra Club stated she received appointment to new American Heritage Rivers Committee.

Meeting adjourned 9:12 PM