Page 10 - Waterways- March '20

Page 10, Waterways
Commissioner’s Update

The Loxahatchee River: A National Wild and Scenic River. The National Wild and Over the next two years, Florida Fish and Wildlife
Local Natural Resource With Scenic River System was created by Congress in 1968 to Conservation Commission (FWC) plans to restore
preserve certain rivers with outstanding natural, cultural
freshwater grasses, much of which disappeared following
National Significance and recreational values in a free-flowing condition for Hurricane Irma. Manatees love the grasses and they will
the enjoyment of present and future generations. help resolve turbidity issues in the river. FWC is also
By Commissioner Hal This designation required the formation of the working with Friends of Jonathan Dickenson State Park to
Valeche Loxahatchee River Management Coordinating Council plant 100 new cypress trees per acre. This project started
Palm Beach County to assist SFWMD and the Florida Department of along the riverbanks in 2017 and is continuing into the
is working closely with Environmental Protection to develop a management flood plain.
the U.S. Army Corps plan for the river. I have had the pleasure of serving on By restoring fresh water flows from tributaries to the
of Engineers, the South the council as the County Commission’s representative north, this will push back the saltwater wedge, which
Florida Water Management during my two terms on the board. Its membership is pushes up the river during the dry season. Sea level rise
District (SFWMD), and comprised of elected officials, federal and state agencies, also contributes to the problem.
municipal partners on water Palm Beach and Martin counties, water control districts, The Loxahatchee Slough is a large wetland just east
resources, water quality, environmental and planning agencies, and river users and of the Beeline Highway and south of Jupiter Farms that
storage and restoration landowners. Principal goals of the management plan are helps recharge the river, but greater flows are needed.
projects as part of the to preserve and enhance the river’s unique natural values, Historically, the river flowed from south to north,
ongoing Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan. restore the river’s historical hydrology, and reverse receiving water from Grassy Waters Preserve Water
This includes collaboration on the Loxahatchee River harmful saltwater intrusion on the river, affected by more Catchment Area (West Palm Beach’s water supply)
Watershed Restoration Project. than a century of ditching, draining and re-engineering and the Loxahatchee Slough. When the C-18 canal was
From the Jupiter Inlet, the Northwest Fork of the along the river for agricultural and urban development. constructed, it cut off the river from the larger watershed.
Loxahatchee River traverses 14 miles up through Jonathan The county has led restoration efforts in the Loxahatchee The SFWMD uses control structures to hold water for the
Dickenson State Park in Martin County. From there, it River watershed over the years by acquiring nearly 28,000 dry season, but we need more water storage facilities to
winds south back down to Riverbend Park in Jupiter. In acres of land and restoring wetlands for the benefit of the supplement flows to the river.
1983, that 10.3-mile section earned the designation as a ecosystem. Our environmental and water resources staff U.S. Army Corps officials recently toured the
are collaborating with SFWMD and the Army Corps and Loxahatchee River with county staff and officials from the
Coordinating Council members to promote cost-effective Loxahatchee River District. Their observations reinforced
solutions that will provide significant benefits to the their understanding of the importance of protecting
Loxahatchee River watershed, increase flood control and publicly owned natural lands within the watershed and
water supply benefits on a wider scale, and additionally restoring water flows to the river through appropriate
improve conditions in interconnected water resources such infrastructure improvements.
as the Lake Worth Lagoon. As progress continues on the Loxahatchee River
On a recent tour I attended of the Northwest Fork of Watershed Project, the county will work with federal
the Loxahatchee River with members of the Coordinating and state agencies to improve design solutions that are
Council, we observed projects underway to reduce saltwater supported by area stakeholders.
intrusion that has killed so many of the cypress trees along If you haven’t spent time on the Loxahatchee River,
the river. The Moonshine Creek oxbow restoration project particularly the Northwest Fork, I hope you will make it
was formulated by the Coordinating Council and is under a point to do so. You will thoroughly enjoy the abundance
construction through a partnership of the Jupiter Inlet of plants, birds and wildlife species along this peaceful,
District and the Loxahatchee River Preservation Initiative. magnificent natural resource.
March 19 The project will keep water in the channel and push the As always, if I can be of assistance, please contact me
at (561) 355-2201, or by email at hvaleche@pbcgov.org.
saltwater out, eliminating a cut through at the oxbow where
the sand has been moving upstream.
Pet Matters

by Pat Deshong, President of Furry Friends For Sweet Heart, Sweet Pea, and Sweet Tea, life is now good
Adoption, Clinic & Ranch because they were saved by the rescuers (of course!) and Furry
Friends was there to provide safety, love and a temporary home

"For the Love of Animals" features
real stories happening at Furry Friends
in Jupiter. We are The Humane Society
of Greater Jupiter/Tequesta and the
only no-kill shelter open to the public
in northern Palm Beach County. We’ve
been rescuing, rehabilitating, and re-
homing the homeless animals in our
community for more than 30 years.
Our not for profit 501c3 organization
consists of our Jupiter based Adoption
Center, Veterinary Clinic (open to the public), Thrift Boutique, When considering adding a furry family member to your
and Palm City Ranch. family, please visit our Palm City Ranch at 4841 SW Zarrella
Street or our new Jupiter Adoption Center at 100 Capital Street
in the Jupiter Commerce Park. Yes, we are now open in Jupiter!!
Both locations are open 7 days a week from 10am-4pm.
Chlo-Bear. Chloe Bean. Sweet Girl. When you’ve lived Blessings to you for your support and faith in us… all for the
at Furry Friends for 3,465 days, you are naturally going to earn LOVE of animals!
your fair share of nicknames. Throughout the years, everyone
who got to know Chloe gave her a term of endearment or two.
While the average person had to earn her trust, once you were
“in” you were golden with Chloe… just like the color of her Patricia Deshong, President
beautiful eyes.
Oh, Chloe had gotten adopted… once. Ryan was a great guy
and the two had an incredible bond, however, Chloe and Ryan’s
roommate didn’t get along. So back she came to Furry Friends,
where we welcomed her with open arms and treated her like the
queen she is. A special kennel, comfy bed, favorite toys, and
many attempts to find just the right food for this fussy girl were
just a few of the many things we did to let her know how special
she was to us. We were her family and, while never giving up
hope, we often considered that she might be a “lifer” at Furry
Friends. This is what Furry Friends is all about…rescuing, rehabilitating,
These days, Chloe is called Sugar Paws, Sugee or Knuckles and giving homeless companion animals their best future… no
(short for Knucklehead when she’s acting silly!). Who dubbed matter how long it takes to find it. We invite you to come visit us!
her with these newer monikers? Her foster parents, Karl & Our website is www.furryfriendsadoption.org.
Cynthia. They started fostering Chloe early last year and, since Furry Friends depends on the generous support from donors
then, she’s been the queen of THEIR home! She spends all her like you. Without Furry Friends, the future of the many animals
time with Daddy Karl and he has taught her what it means to be we save would be uncertain. Thank you for donating and helping
secure, confident, and comfortable. She’s living her best life us continue our animal saving mission.
ever and we couldn’t be happier. Ways to donate (tax ID #59-2111273):
Chloe often comes to visit us at Furry Friends and doesn’t 1. Mail a check made payable to Furry Friends to 401 Maplewood
really care what sweet name we call her. She loves them all We are now home and open in Jupiter! However, we still Drive, Ste. 8, Jupiter, FL 33458.
and her wagging tail and sloppy kisses prove it! We know she’s need your help! If you would like to be a part of our new chapter, 2. Visit www.furryfriendsadoption.org
grateful to us for what we gave her throughout the years and please visit www.furryfriendsadoption.org or call 561.747.5311 3. Call us with your credit card information at 561.747.5311 ext. 3
for guiding her to the most loving parents she could have ever ext. 1 for more information. Ask for Pat Deshong, President, or “Your donation creates the possibilities to make miracles
imagined! Curry Krasulak, Director of Development. happen for our Furry Friends”
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