Page 10 - Abacoa Community News - March '20

Page 10, Abacoa

goveRNmeNt

Northern Notes

Living With The Endangered harass, kill, capture or collect them. This includes protection from
activities that disrupt normal breeding, feeding or sheltering. The
Snail Kite Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) and
the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service protect nest sites by posting
By Katie Roundtree, signs around sensitive areas during the breeding season. Always
Finance Director, avoid posted areas, particularly from February through August,
Northern Palm Beach and stay back at least 500 feet from warning signs.
County Improvement Snail kites will leave their nest when bothered, but may not
District found in the United States. Their entire U.S. range is restricted aggressively defend it from people or predators. They may fly
Our logo at Northern Palm to South Florida, where they can be found in shallow freshwater away or just sit nearby until the intruder is gone. This behavior
Beach County Improvement marshes, like those of the Everglades, or along the shallow, grassy can lead people to think that their presence is not bothering the
District consists of a picture of a shorelines of lakes. Both habitats have a mixture of short plants birds; however, any time a nest is untended the chicks or eggs
bird within a circle surrounded and open water, making them great places for kites to see and are vulnerable to predators and harsh temperatures. The longer
by our name. Not many people catch apple snails as they climb to the surface to breathe. the nest is exposed, the greater the chance of failure. The best
know what that bird is though. Snail kites only eat apple snails, which they hunt by flying way you can help snail kites is to avoid posted nesting areas and
It is an Everglades snail low over the water while searching for their prey near the surface. to report any harassment or disturbance to FWC’s Wildlife Alert
kite (Rostrhamus sociabilis Snail Kites do not plunge into the water to capture snails and Rewards Program at (888) 404-FWCC (3922). Source: www.
plumbeus) a crow-sized hawk, which is easily identified by never use the bill to capture prey. Rather, they use their feet to myfwc.com.
the white patch at the base of its tail. It has a unique curved bill capture snails at or below the surface of the water. Only snails NPDES tip: Please pick up after your pet. When pet waste
designed to quickly pluck snails from their shells. Adult males that are breathing air, laying eggs or crawling in a few inches is washed into lakes or canals the waste decays, using up oxygen
are slate-gray, while females are brown with varying amounts of of water are vulnerable. After capturing a snail, the kite pries and sometimes releasing ammonia. Low oxygen levels and
white streaks on the face, chest and neck. A unique trait of both it open and, using its curved bill, cuts the snail from the shell. ammonia combined with warm temperatures can kill fish. Pet
sexes is that they have red eyes. Sometimes this feat is performed while in flight! waste also contains nutrients that encourage weed and algae
Snail kites can be found in Central and South America, but Snail kites have been protected by state and federal law under growth. Perhaps most importantly, pet waste carries diseases
the Everglade snail kite (R. s. plumbeus) is the only subspecies the Endangered Species Act since 1967, making it illegal to which make water unsafe.
Commissioner’s Update

The Loxahatchee River: A membership is comprised of elected officials, federal and turbidity issues in the river. FWC is also working with Friends
Local Natural Resource With state agencies, Palm Beach and Martin counties, water control of Jonathan Dickenson State Park to plant 100 new cypress
trees per acre. This project started along the riverbanks in
districts, environmental and planning agencies, and river
National Significance users and landowners. Principal goals of the management 2017 and is continuing into the flood plain.
plan are to preserve and enhance the river’s unique natural By restoring fresh water flows from tributaries to the north,
By Commissioner values, restore the river’s historical hydrology, and reverse this will push back the saltwater wedge, which pushes up the
Hal Valeche harmful saltwater intrusion on the river, affected by more than river during the dry season. Sea level rise also contributes to
Palm Beach County a century of ditching, draining and re-engineering along the the problem.
is working closely with river for agricultural and urban development. The Loxahatchee Slough is a large wetland just east of
the U.S. Army Corps of The county has led restoration efforts in the Loxahatchee the Beeline Highway and south of Jupiter Farms that helps
Engineers, the South Florida River watershed over the years by acquiring nearly 28,000 recharge the river, but greater flows are needed. Historically,
Water Management District acres of land and restoring wetlands for the benefit of the the river flowed from south to north, receiving water from
(SFWMD), and municipal ecosystem. Our environmental and water resources staff Grassy Waters Preserve Water Catchment Area (West Palm
partners on water resources, are collaborating with SFWMD and the Army Corps and Beach’s water supply) and the Loxahatchee Slough. When the
water quality, storage and Coordinating Council members to promote cost-effective C-18 canal was constructed, it cut off the river from the larger
restoration projects as part of solutions that will provide significant benefits to the watershed. The SFWMD uses control structures to hold water
the ongoing Comprehensive Loxahatchee River watershed, increase flood control and for the dry season, but we need more water storage facilities
Everglades Restoration Plan. This includes collaboration on water supply benefits on a wider scale, and additionally to supplement flows to the river.
the Loxahatchee River Watershed Restoration Project. improve conditions in interconnected water resources such U.S. Army Corps officials recently toured the Loxahatchee
From the Jupiter Inlet, the Northwest Fork of the as the Lake Worth Lagoon. River with county staff and officials from the Loxahatchee River
Loxahatchee River traverses 14 miles up through Jonathan On a recent tour I attended of the Northwest Fork of District. Their observations reinforced their understanding of
Dickenson State Park in Martin County. From there, it winds the Loxahatchee River with members of the Coordinating the importance of protecting publicly owned natural lands
south back down to Riverbend Park in Jupiter. In 1983, that Council, we observed projects underway to reduce saltwater within the watershed and restoring water flows to the river
10.3-mile section earned the designation as a National Wild intrusion that has killed so many of the cypress trees along through appropriate infrastructure improvements.
and Scenic River. The National Wild and Scenic River System the river. The Moonshine Creek oxbow restoration project As progress continues on the Loxahatchee River
was created by Congress in 1968 to preserve certain rivers was formulated by the Coordinating Council and is under Watershed Project, the county will work with federal and
with outstanding natural, cultural and recreational values in construction through a partnership of the Jupiter Inlet District state agencies to improve design solutions that are supported
a free-flowing condition for the enjoyment of present and and the Loxahatchee River Preservation Initiative. The project by area stakeholders.
future generations. will keep water in the channel and push the saltwater out, If you haven’t spent time on the Loxahatchee River,
This designation required the formation of the Loxahatchee eliminating a cut through at the oxbow where the sand has particularly the Northwest Fork, I hope you will make it
River Management Coordinating Council to assist SFWMD been moving upstream. a point to do so. You will thoroughly enjoy the abundance
and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection Over the next two years, Florida Fish and Wildlife of plants, birds and wildlife species along this peaceful,
to develop a management plan for the river. I have had the Conservation Commission (FWC) plans to restore freshwater magnificent natural resource.
pleasure of serving on the council as the County Commission’s grasses, much of which disappeared following Hurricane As always, if I can be of assistance, please contact me at
representative during my two terms on the board. Its Irma. Manatees love the grasses and they will help resolve (561) 355-2201, or by email at hvaleche@pbcgov.org.
March 2020 / Jupiter Inlet Tide Chart

Day High Low High Low High Day High Low High Low High
Sun 01 Low 7:23 AM High 1:09 PM Low 7:46 PM Tue 17 High 4:34 AM Low 11:04 AM High 4:47 PM Low 11:32 PM
Mon 02 High 1:58 AM Low 8:16 AM High 1:58 PM Low 8:43 PM Wed 18 High 5:42 AM Low 12:09 PM High 5:55 PM
Tue 03 High 2:59 AM Low 9:19 AM High 2:59 PM Low 9:48 PM Thu 19 Low 12:34 AM High 6:44 AM Low 1:07 PM High 6:57 PM
Wed 04 High 4:06 AM Low 10:27 AM High 4:09 PM Low 10:54 PM Fri 20 Low 1:29 AM High 7:36 AM Low 1:58 PM 0.5 High 7:49 PM 2.0
Thu 05 High 5:13 AM Low 11:32 AM High 5:19 PM Low 11:56 PM Sat 21 Low 2:18 AM High 8:20 AM Low 2:42 PM High 8:33 PM
Fri 06 High 6:13 AM Low 12:30 PM High 6:23 PM Sun 22 Low 3:01 AM High 8:58 AM Low 3:22 PM High 9:13 PM
Sat 07 Low 12:53 AM High 7:06 AM Low 1:23 PM High 7:20 PM Mon 23 Low 3:40 AM High 9:33 AM Low 3:58 PM High 9:51 PM
Sun 08 Low 1:47 AM High 8:56 AM Low 3:14 PM High 9:13 PM Tue 24 Low 4:16 AM High 10:07 AM Low 4:33 PM High 10:27 PM
Mon 09 Low 3:38 AM High 9:43 AM Low 4:03 PM High 10:05 PM Wed 25 Low 4:51 AM High 10:40 AM Low 5:05 PM High 11:02 PM
Tue 10 Low 4:27 AM High 10:29 AM Low 4:51 PM High 10:55 PM Thu 26 Low 5:25 AM High 11:13 AM Low 5:37 PM High 11:39 PM
Wed 11 Low 5:17 AM High 11:16 AM Low 5:40 PM High 11:45 PM Fri 27 Low 5:58 AM High 11:47 AM Low 6:10 PM
Thu 12 Low 6:07 AM High 12:02 PM Low 6:30 PM Sat 28 High 12:16 AM Low 6:31 AM High 12:21 PM Low 6:44 PM
Fri 13 High 12:37 AM Low 6:59 AM High 12:51 PM Low 7:23 PM Sun 29 High 12:55 AM Low 7:08 AM High 12:57 PM Low 7:23 PM
Sat 14 High 1:30 AM Low 7:53 AM High 1:42 PM Low 8:19 PM Mon 30 High 1:38 AM Low 7:51 AM High 1:38 PM Low 8:10 PM
Sun 15 High 2:26 AM Low 8:52 AM High 2:37 PM Low 9:20 PM Tue 31 High 2:28 AM Low 8:43 AM High 2:28 PM Low 9:08 PM
Mon 16 High 3:28 AM Low 9:57 AM High 3:39 PM Low 10:25 PM
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