Page 1 - PGA Community News - October '19

October 2019 October 2019 PGA C.A.N.!, Page 1

VOL. 29 NO. 10 FAX 561-624-9088 • E-MAIL canpga@yahoo.com OCTOBER 2019

PGA POA Jottings

By Dawn Levinstein, As a reminder, plywood and plain (unfinished) metal several years. The irrigation pumps are quite dated and
PGA POA panels may only be installed at the issuance of a hurricane before beginning plans for landscape enhancements in
THOSE “D” NAMES! warning and must be removed no later than seven days Masters Park, the “ellipse” (f/k/a the traffic circle) or
As soon as I found out after the storm passes or the “all clear” is given. As of PGA Boulevard frontage, the irrigation pumps all need to
that storm name started with this writing, there are still homes with metal panels and/or be replaced. Work on the first three pumps is beginning
a “D” I knew we should be plywood over windows so if you are one of them, please immediately and when complete, the system will be fully
concerned. But someone make arrangements to immediately remove the panels or automated so that if there is a broken line or any other
was looking out for South wood to avoid fines or other enforcement action. malfunction, a text alert is sent. Gone will be the days of
Florida! Our thoughts and MONEY, HONEY running a zone to see whether coverage is proper.
prayers go to those who were Wanted to give you a quick reminder that if you haven’t Before the major re-landscaping projects begin along
not so fortunate. sent your payment to PGA POA, you are very late and the the PGA Boulevard frontage or the ellipse, the POA
Thank you to all the account is about to be referred to collection. The annual will provide renderings and information to all residents.
residents who took action early to secure their property. I drove assessment is due each year on July 1. Final reminders These projects are still a couple years away due to the
through all communities a few days before we were expecting are currently being mailed and any unpaid accounts will approvals required and infrastructure needed before the
the storm and found that most residents and their associations be referred to collection by Nov. 1 so if you aren’t sure improvements are noticeable, but work is beginning!
had taken the necessary action to secure personal items and whether you owe PGA POA just give us a call at (561)
install storm protection. A big thank you to your Board members 627-2800 and we will let you know. PGA POA Jottings on page 7
and property manager for their efforts in contacting owners and In addition to the regular maintenance expenses,
preparing common areas. It was a good “test run” for all of us. the POA has “long-range” plans that are budgeted over
Commissioner’s Update

Post-Dorian Thoughts PBC’s Environment Resources Management (ERM) and appear as a distinct line in the water just off the beach.
informs us that sea turtles have adapted to storms through While many of the coastal areas have dried out since Dorian,
By Commissioner various strategies. Each female lays six to eight nests during wetlands in the western areas of the basin are still holding a
Hal Valeche a single season, which means she is laying 500 to 900 eggs. lot of water, which eventually drains into the Loxahatchee
I could almost hear a They also place their nests at various locations on the beach. River and out the inlet.
huge, collective sigh of Those laid closer to the water are more prone to washing out in Many factors can influence the color of water along
relief when Palm Beach storms while those laid closer to the dune are more vulnerable the beach. Within the Loxahatchee River, a big factor is
County missed a direct to predators. By laying eggs in various locations and laying the tannins that leach into the water as vegetation decays,
hit by Hurricane Dorian. multiple nests per year, the mama turtles ensure hatchling making it appear as a dark color resembling tea. The same
With so much uncertainty survival against natural events. effect shows up as brown stains on the hull of boats that
of the path of the storm, If eggs are found exposed or in the surf, the only thing to do frequently use those waterways. During high flows of
our emergency managers is to leave them alone as they are no longer viable. Relocation storm water following heavy rain events, elevated levels
and county staff mobilized of nests ahead of a storm is prohibited as it could endanger the of nutrients and bacteria entering the system compromise
expertly to full activation eggs. If you find a turtle in distress, you can call the Florida water quality. The Department of Health monitors the water
at the Emergency Operations Center, opened and staffed Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) at (800) quality along the beaches through the Healthy Beaches
shelters, and issued evacuation orders where recommended 404-3922. Program and issues advisories when bacterial concentrations
by national hurricane forecasters. Seeing the results of this • Yard Vegetation exceed the microbiological standards.
ferocious storm on the Bahamas, we are reminded more At the risk of sounding like a broken record … my staff Another contributing factor to the current water clarity
than ever of how important preparation is during hurricane and I have observed many properties conducting extensive is turbidity, which is the suspension of fine sediments along
season. yard trimming and pruning of trees and shrubs. That is fine the beaches. According to ERM officials, wave energy from
I wanted to mention some of the post-storm issues raised as long as it occurs outside of any major impending weather Hurricane Dorian eroded approximately 1M cubic yards of
that may be of interest to you: events. If you are located in unincorporated Palm Beach sand from Palm Beach County beaches. The coarser sand
• Disturbed Sea Turtle Nests And Turtle Eggs Visible County, you know that the Solid Waste Authority requires falls out of suspension quickly and deposits within a sandbar
On County Beaches you to limit curbside vegetation to six cubic yards, which just off the beach. The fine material remains suspended in
Palm Beach County has had a record-breaking sea turtle is roughly the size of two refrigerators. If you reside in a the water column for a longer period and creates the chalky
nesting season with year-end counts likely to top 50,000 municipality, check with city officials to confirm how much opaque appearance versus the clear blue water we usually
nests. Prior to Hurricane Dorian, approximately two-thirds they will allow curbside for pickup. see.
of those nests had already hatched. Waves disturbed some of • Water Discoloration In Estuaries And Along The Coast We have a very dynamic and sometimes delicate
the remaining nests but the overall impact to the population You may have observed darker water flowing out of environment. Our county staff work hard to address issues
is minimal. The eggs seen on the beach are no longer viable the Jupiter Inlet and along the beaches. This is due to local that affect our quality of life. Your input on areas of concern
and may be the remaining shells from nests that hatched basin runoff (storm water) that is flowing out the inlet during is very helpful. As always, please contact me if I can be of
prior to the storm. outgoing tide. This is typical after large rain events. The color assistance at (561) 355-2201, or by email at hvaleche@
difference can be dramatic pbcgov.org.