Page 1 - The Shores of Jupiter - March '20

Our Village Voice

VOL. 31 NO. 3 www.seabreezepublications.com MARCH 2020

Commissioner’s Update Bill’s Box

The Loxahatchee River: A of land and restoring wetlands for the benefit of the ecosystem.
Local Natural Resource With Our environmental and water resources staff are collaborating Bill has crippling
computer problems. He says
with SFWMD and the Army Corps and Coordinating Council
National Significance members to promote cost-effective solutions that will provide it will be repaired or replaced
soon. His column will return
significant benefits to the Loxahatchee River watershed,
By Commissioner increase flood control and water supply benefits on a wider next month.
Hal Valeche scale, and additionally improve conditions in interconnected Reminder: The Shores
Palm Beach County water resources such as the Lake Worth Lagoon. Annual Meeting will be
is working closely with On a recent tour I attended of the Northwest Fork of held on March 12 at 6 p.m.
the U.S. Army Corps of the Loxahatchee River with members of the Coordinating in Jupiter Town Center, 201
Engineers, the South Florida Council, we observed projects underway to reduce saltwater Military Trail.
Water Management District intrusion that has killed so many of the cypress trees along
(SFWMD), and municipal the river. The Moonshine Creek oxbow restoration project
partners on water resources, was formulated by the Coordinating Council and is under
water quality, storage and construction through a partnership of the Jupiter Inlet District
restoration projects as part of and the Loxahatchee River Preservation Initiative. The
the ongoing Comprehensive project will keep water in the channel and push the saltwater
Everglades Restoration Plan. This includes collaboration on out, eliminating a cut through at the oxbow where the sand
the Loxahatchee River Watershed Restoration Project. has been moving upstream.
From the Jupiter Inlet, the Northwest Fork of the Loxahatchee Over the next two years, Florida Fish and Wildlife
River traverses 14 miles up through Jonathan Dickenson State Conservation Commission (FWC) plans to restore freshwater
Park in Martin County. From there, it winds south back down grasses, much of which disappeared following Hurricane
to Riverbend Park in Jupiter. In 1983, that 10.3-mile section Irma. Manatees love the grasses and they will help resolve
earned the designation as a National Wild and Scenic River. turbidity issues in the river. FWC is also working with Friends
The National Wild and Scenic River System was created by of Jonathan Dickenson State Park to plant 100 new cypress
Congress in 1968 to preserve certain rivers with outstanding trees per acre. This project started along the riverbanks in 2017
natural, cultural and recreational values in a free-flowing and is continuing into the flood plain.
condition for the enjoyment of present and future generations. By restoring fresh water flows from tributaries to the north,
This designation required the formation of the Loxahatchee this will push back the saltwater wedge, which pushes up the
River Management Coordinating Council to assist SFWMD river during the dry season. Sea level rise also contributes to Chief’s Corner
and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection the problem.
to develop a management plan for the river. I have had the The Loxahatchee Slough is a large wetland just east of
pleasure of serving on the council as the County Commission’s the Beeline Highway and south of Jupiter Farms that helps Dear Resident,
representative during my two terms on the board. Its recharge the river, but greater flows are needed. Historically, Traffic safety and
membership is comprised of elected officials, federal and the river flowed from south to north, receiving water from enforcement continues to
state agencies, Palm Beach and Martin counties, water control Grassy Waters Preserve Water Catchment Area (West Palm be one of the top priorities
districts, environmental and planning agencies, and river users Beach’s water supply) and the Loxahatchee Slough. When the for the Jupiter Police
and landowners. Principal goals of the management plan are C-18 canal was constructed, it cut off the river from the larger Department. In 2018, in
to preserve and enhance the river’s unique natural values, watershed. The SFWMD uses control structures to hold water an effort to decrease the
restore the river’s historical hydrology, and reverse harmful for the dry season, but we need more water storage facilities number of traffic crashes
saltwater intrusion on the river, affected by more than a century to supplement flows to the river. and related injuries and
of ditching, draining and re-engineering along the river for U.S. Army Corps officials recently toured the Loxahatchee fatalities, the department
agricultural and urban development. River with county staff and officials from the Loxahatchee River was able to fully staff the
The county has led restoration efforts in the Loxahatchee District. Their observations reinforced their understanding Traffic Unit.
River watershed over the years by acquiring nearly 28,000 acres of the importance of protecting publicly owned natural The Traffic Unit’s main objective is to provide
lands within the watershed
education and awareness to motorists on safe traffic laws
Annual Meeting and restoring water flows to and conduct enforcement in target locations that have been
the river through appropriate
The Shores HOA Annual Meeting infrastructure improvements. identified as high crash locations. A traffic grant was also
applied for and received for education and enforcement
March 12 – 6 p.m. As progress continues on the related to pedestrian and bicycle accidents.
Jupiter Community Center, 201 Military Trail Loxahatchee River Watershed As a result of this enforcement, I am happy to report
Project, the county will work
that after evaluation and analysis of traffic crash data from
with federal and state agencies 2019 compared to 2018, crashes decreased by 9.5 percent
Call Jupiter Police Department immediately to improve design solutions which equals 209 less traffic crashes that occurred within
to report suspicious activity. that are supported by area the Town of Jupiter. In addition, these enforcement efforts
stakeholders.
have contributed to a decrease in the number of pedestrian
(561) 799-4445. If you haven’t spent time and bike related injuries. There was a 21 percent decrease
The sooner called the sooner they can help. 911 is for emergencies only. on the Loxahatchee River, in injuries from 2017 to 2018 and a 31 percent decrease
Keep cars and house locked. particularly the Northwest in injuries from 2018 to 2019.
Fork, I hope you will make We are committed to your safety when utilizing our
it a point to do so. You roadways; and our goal is to be visible throughout the
will thoroughly enjoy the community, so that we can continue to see a decrease in
abundance of plants, birds traffic related crashes.
and wildlife species along this Please continue to visit us on our website at www.jupiter.
peaceful, magnificent natural fl.us/jpd, and on Facebook @JupiterPolice to learn about
resource. new and happening events within the Town of Jupiter.
As always, if I can be of Sincerely,
assistance, please contact me Daniel J. Kerr, Chief of Police
at (561) 355-2201, or by email
at hvaleche@pbcgov.org.