Page 11 - Jupiter Ocean Mile - April '21

Jupiter Ocean Mile, Page 11
Commissioner’s Update

Sound Water Strategies Mile Bend. This reservoir will store excess storm water • Sawfish Island Restoration
for later distribution during the dry season. Additional • Seminole Avenue and Pennock Industrial Park
By Commissioner Maria benefits will include enhanced flood protection and water stormwater improvements
Marino quality, and will help combat saltwater intrusion and • Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse Outstanding Natural Area
Water resources in Palm provide other environmental benefits. Living Shoreline (erosion control)
Beach County are part of a Two main environmental initiatives this project will • Loxahatchee River Mile Six Gap Closure and Oxbow
complex, interconnected serve are the restoration of the Lake Worth Lagoon and the Restoration Maintenance (preventing saltwater intrusion)
system, and decisions Loxahatchee River Watershed Restoration Project. The • Sims Creek Preserve Hydrologic Restoration
made at the regional, Northwest Fork of the Loxahatchee River is one of only • Section Seven Drainage Improvement Project
state and federal levels two rivers in the state and the only river in South Florida • Loxahatchee River Sediment Study
can dramatically affect with the national designation as a Wild and Scenic River. In February, the county commission unanimously
local communities. While These delicate ecosystems are vulnerable to harmful passed a resolution urging the state to implement specific
Florida averages five feet algae discharges from Lake Okeechobee and saltwater activities to help improve the quality of water resources
of rainfall per year, it is intrusion. Having reservoirs, stormwater treatment areas including grant programs, technology, collaboration on
essential that we support strategies to store, filter and and flow ways over wetlands allows us to send clean water the implementation of projects, and supporting SFWMD
send water to critical facilities, drinking water resources east to the lagoon and gradually north to the Loxahatchee to identify and prioritize additional funding. The
and wetlands, and reduce what is lost to tide. River Watershed. Sending filtered fresh water in, and commission also approved a resolution urging Congress
Most of the fresh water we use in South Florida comes keeping saltwater out, is what helps fresh water aquatic to fund the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Central
from surficial aquifers and the Floridan Aquifer system. species thrive in their habitat. and Southern Florida Flood Resiliency Study, and to
The aquifers are composed of multiple layers of porous Palm Beach County is an active partner with the appropriate funding for the implementation in the Army
rock and supply approximately 90 percent of the state’s South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD), Civil Works program, in partnership with SFWMD, for
drinking water, according to the South Florida Water the Florida Department of Environmental Protection flood and storm damage reduction.
Management District. Rainfall mainly recharges the and local stakeholders in achieving restoration of our These partnerships are vital to executing sound water
aquifers, but they also receive water from lakes, streams critical resources. The county, along with local districts strategies and I look forward to reporting on further
and groundwater flows. and municipalities, has requested more than $2.8M in progress as these projects move forward.
The C-51 Reservoir project – 15 years in the making appropriations this year from the State Legislature toward Please contact me if I can assist you at (561) 355-2201
– is under construction on Southern Boulevard near 20 projects to benefit the Loxahatchee River, including: or by email at mmarino@pbcgov.org.
Palm Beach County Property Appraiser Accepting

Scholarship Applications

The office of Palm Beach County Property Appraiser “Regardless of interest or major, all college-bound Palm “This program is particularly special to my office,”
Dorothy Jacks, CFA, AAS, is now accepting applications for Beach County students are eligible to apply,” said Jacks. “Of said Jacks. “These scholarships are completely funded by
the 28th Annual Palm Beach County Property Appraiser’s course, with the paid internship opportunity, we might hope employee donations.”
Scholarships. that students would discover the fascinating and multifaceted Since 1994, the Palm Beach County Property Appraiser’s
Six college scholarships of $1,500 each will be awarded field of property valuation.” Office has awarded nearly $150,000 in college scholarships.
to graduating high school seniors who plan to attend a higher To be eligible for a scholarship award, a student must For more information, call (561) 355-3230 or visit pbcgov.
education institution full-time. Each recipient will also be be a resident of Palm Beach County, have a minimum of org/papa/scholarship-awards.htm.
offered an opportunity for a paid summer internship in the 3.0 GPA, and plan to attend an accredited higher-education
Property Appraiser’s Office. institution. The deadline to apply is March 31.