Page 7 - Abacoa Community News - December '22

Abacoa, Page 7
Commissioner’s Update Tax Talk from page 6

Loxahatchee River Restoration Noteworthy Dates

By Commissioner Dec. 1 - Tourist Development Taxes Due
Maria Marino Through March 31 - 2022 Property Tax Payments Due
The Loxahatchee River Dec. 18 to 26 - Hanukkah
is one of only two rivers Dec. 25 - Christmas
in Florida to receive the Dec. 26 and 27 - Winter Holiday – Offices Closed
designation as a National Dec. 31 - Deadline for Property Tax 3 percent Discount*
Wild and Scenic River, and Dec. 31 - Deadline to make IPP Installment Payment No. 3*
it houses essential habitats Dec. 31 - New Year’s Eve
supporting a wide range of * Florida Statute extends discount/payment deadlines falling
ecological resources. This • Improving overall river hydrology and water quantity on a Saturday, Sunday, or holiday to the next business day.
includes freshwater riverine through accelerated land acquisition for water storage on public Payment(s) must be received in our office by 5 p.m. or online
floodplain vegetation such lands by implementing restoration projects, coordinating with by 11:59 p.m. EST on Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2023.
as bald cypress, freshwater and estuarine fishes, and tidal stakeholders, and monitoring the health and restoration of the
floodplain vegetation and animals such as mangroves, oysters river.
and seagrasses. • Improving water quality by identifying and reducing points
You can experience and explore this unique “old Florida” of pollution; increase storm water treatment and retention; Elements: Earth Wind And Fire Tribute Band from page 1
habitat by visiting the county’s Riverbend Park on West decrease turbidity/cloudiness; reduce harmful bacteria; and,
Indiantown Road in Jupiter, where kayaking/canoeing rentals utilize best management practices in the remaining agricultural Founded in
are available. areas surrounding the river. Chicago in 1970 by
Sadly, the Loxahatchee River has suffered from over a • Protect and preserve the native wildlife, fish and vegetation Maurice White; Earth,
century of ditching, draining and re-engineering related to by acquiring additional parcels in the Pal-Mar Water Control Wind, and Fire is one
agricultural and urban development. This altered the river’s District; monitor sedimentation, erosion, and flows affecting of the most successful
natural hydrology resulting in saltwater intrusion that changed the valued ecosystems. bands of all time and
river’s freshwater ecosystems. In the 1980s, the State of Florida • Protect and preserve historical, cultural sites and recreational is credited by Rolling
and the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) resources. Stone magazine as
developed a management plan to preserve and enhance the • Increase environmental education and stewardship having changed the
river’s unique natural values, restore the historical hydrology, opportunities within the river. sound of black pop
and reverse the impacts of saltwater intrusion. Preserving and protecting the National Wild and Scenic music. With genres
The Loxahatchee River Management Coordinating Loxahatchee River requires a balance in managing the wetlands from R&B to soul,
Council is comprised of federal, state, regional agencies and natural areas filtering water that feeds into the basin, so that funk, jazz, disco, rock, Latin, and African; Earth, Wind,
and local representatives and is responsible for the ongoing the water entering the river is of the highest quality possible, and Fire is impossible to categorize. Over their long and
development of the management plan. The council advises the while at the same time helping to provide flood protection for successful career, the group has received 20 Grammy
Florida Department of Environmental Protection and SFWMD our community. nominations and 12 American Music Awards nominations
to identify and resolve intergovernmental coordination and Palm Beach County’s Comprehensive Plan identifies the and has been inducted into both the Rock and Roll Hall of
enhance communication on matters affecting the administration Loxahatchee River as an “Area of Particular Concern” to preserve Fame and the Vocal Group Hall of Fame. With over 100
of the river. I serve as the Palm Beach County Commission’s in its natural state. Our land development code contemplates million albums sold worldwide, Earth, Wind, and Fire is
representative on this council. additional setbacks from wetlands and other environmentally one of the best-selling musical groups ever.
The multiagency council maintains the protection and sensitive areas, and this process has been effective is directing Join us Dec. 17 at the Abacoa Amphitheater where
enhancement objectives from the original plan while updating land development activities away from the river area. Elements will perform Earth, Wind, and Fire’s greatest
strategies and tasks to fit current conditions and activities If I can be of assistance to you, please contact me at (561) hits in a performance you won’t want to miss.
occurring in the river. The objectives include: 355-2201 or by email at mmarino@pbcgov.org.

1/15/23.